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Community Corner

The Face of Hunger Has Changed

The economic downturn has turned many of the Tri-Valley's middle class into the area's hungry.

When I stepped into the room, I could smell delicious, inviting food. It made my mouth water. I had stopped by at lunchtime to catch up with Wendy Weathers, operations manager for Open Heart Kitchen.

Open Heart Kitchen is the Tri-Valley's only hot meal service for the area's hungry, and the only one that provides meals to go in Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin.

Last week, the group moved back to in Livermore after that includes a commercial kitchen.

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Open Heart serves meals from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Asbury, and at other locations the rest of the week.

It had been a very busy week with the move and getting used to the new kitchen, so Weathers was thankful to have a couple minutes to catch her breath. Her organization is thrilled with the kitchen. It took a little bit of training to get volunteers up to speed on the new equipment, but everything seemed to be flowing nicely.

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She said they served 458 meals Tuesday and 507 Wednesday. She expects those numbers to go up as people figure out that the group is back at Asbury after a year at neighboring .

What Has Changed?

Weathers told me that middle class people are coming in now to get meals for their families because many have lost their jobs and may be losing their homes.

"They can be anyone, including your neighbor," she said. "Even two of my former co-workers from AT&T have come through our line." 

Open Heart Kitchen served 3,500 meals per week last year, but has seen a steep increase to 4,500 per week this year.

She said they will serve more than 230,000 meals this year, including 1,550 box lunches each Friday to elementary- and middle-school students in Dublin and Livermore. The students pick up the box lunches at the final bell, providing them with two meals for the weekend.

"For many, this is the only meal these children will get all weekend long," Weathers said.

What's Your Biggest Challenge?

"Funding!" she answered quickly. She said federal, state, county and city budget cuts have left the organization struggling to keep up with the increased demand for meals. Members are looking for corporate and individual donors to help in whatever way they can. "Even a Safeway gift card can help us buy fresh produce."

Open Heart will hold a fund-raiser May 7 at ' Barrel Room that will include wine tasting, a gourmet dinner and silent auction of award-winning wines.

Weathers noted that her group isn't a food pantry — it cooks hot meals in large quantities. Donations of commercial-sized cans of food are appreciated and people are encouraged to visit the group's website for specific needs.

Organic Garden Donates to Open Heart Kitchen

I spoke with Bruce Campbell, who founded and operates the Garden of Grace with fellow Alameda County master gardener Mark Brunell and other volunteers. The land for the organic garden — less than 100 yards from the new fellowship hall in which meals are served — is provided by Asbury.

Crops have been producing since October, and last week's vitamin A-rich leafy crops provided nearly 30 pounds of fresh produce for Open Heart. Winter bounty was broccoli, collard greens, chard, kale, mustard, lettuces, spinach, radishes, carrots, turnips and rutabagas.

Volunteers compost the kitchen trimmings and grow crops from seed, which reduces operating costs. Spring crops are in the ground and include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, lettuces, potatoes, beets and carrots. 

A Delicious Warm Meal

I enjoyed a lunch prepared by the friendly Open Heart Kitchen staff, and it was as delicious as it smelled. Turkey casserole (with Swiss chard), salad, fruit and a giant roll was more than enough for me.

People arrived on foot, on bikes and in cars, alone, with children and with entire families. Some brought containers to take food home.

The atmosphere was friendly as everyone enjoyed their meal together on a beautiful sunny day.

I felt comfortable there but knew that the face of hunger has changed.

Note: For more information about volunteering or donating money or food, visit the group's website, www.openheartkitchen.org.

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