Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

'Little Love' will help feed the hungry
Open Heart Kitchen fundraiser coming Oct. 2

Want to venture out all day on the San Francisco Bay aboard a 36-foot sailboat? Or perhaps a private "Pilates for Two" session in your home is your dream? Or a golf package at an upscale course?

Bid on these adventures at the silent auction at "Put a Little Love in your Life," a free-admission benefit for Open Heart Kitchen sponsored by Livermore's Blacksmith Square from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2. The fundraiser will have live music and offer local wine and food pairings, specialty beers, gourmet foods for sale and boutique shopping.

Open Heart Kitchen offers the only place in the Tri-Valley where those in need can find free, hot and nutritious meals. Clients include the homeless, the unemployed and underemployed, seniors and at-risk school children.

"Even though I have a job, I often run out of money for food for my three children," said a diner named Maria. "Open Heart Kitchen helps me stretch my food budget, and my kids get nutritious meals in a caring place."

Hot meals are served in Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin five days a week. Also, bag lunches are packed on Fridays to send home for weekend meals for hungry children in all three communities.

In 2010, Open Heart Kitchen cooked 217,000 meals and gave out 96,000 bag lunches, which was a 55% increase from 2009.

All menus are nutritious, approved by a dietician, and use fresh food when possible. Some of the produce is raised in the Garden of Grace, which is operated by community members for the Open Heart Kitchen.

Volunteers to cook and serve meals are always welcome as are donations. Find out more at openheartkitchen.org, or call 580-1616.