Tri-Valley’s Open Heart Kitchen received a $450,000 grant from the Senior Assistance Foundation of the East Bay (SAFE) to fund the construction of new kitchen and dining rooms in the Vineyard 2.0 project, a community collaboration in Livermore to alleviate homelessness.
“Senior Assistance Foundation of the East Bay has been a key funder of Open Heart Kitchen for several years. We are so grateful that their grant has helped to finish out our capital campaign,” Open Heart Kitchen Executive Director Heather Greaux said in a statement.
The Vineyard 2.0 project includes plans for 23 apartments of permanent housing support to help the most vulnerable low-income families, along with other provided services such as showers, laundry, mailboxes, and temporary overnight shelter.
As part of the project, Open Heart Kitchen will also provide free hot meals for the residents. The recent SAFE grant received will support the construction and operation of the commercial-scale kitchen and dining areas as part of the project.
“This kitchen project will enhance our ability to provide local seniors with a daily opportunity to connect socially over a nutritious meal, and advance our mission of working toward a future with increased food security in our valley,” said Janette Pace, Open Heart Kitchen’s capital campaign chair.
Project construction commenced in April, and completion is expected in the summer of 2023.
For more information on where to obtain a meal, visit openheartkitchen.org.
