Open Hand Chicago

Open Hand Chicago
Merged intoChicago Community Response, Open Hand Chicago, The HIV Coalition
SuccessorVital Bridges Food Program
Formation1988; 37 years ago (1988)
Founders
Location

Open Hand Chicago was originally founded in 1988.[1] It was co-founded by Chicago AIDS activists including Lori Cannon, James Cappleman, Greg Harris, and Tom Tunney. Using San Francisco's Project Open Hand as a model, Open Hand Chicago delivered 41,476 meals in its first year.[2][3]

Open Hand Chicago began as a food delivery service for people with HIV/AIDS. It expanded into a food pantry.[4] In 2011 it became part of Heartland Alliance[5][6][7] and then became Vital Bridges Food Program as part of the consolidation of Chicago Community Response, Open Hand Chicago, and The HIV Coalition.[8]

In 1994 Open Hand Chicago was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Open Hand Chicago". Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society's History. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  2. ^ "AIDS: Delivering life-Open Hand Chicago starts rolling out meals". IL State Rep Greg Harris. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  3. ^ Joravsky, Ben (16 December 1993). "Comfort and hope: Open Hand reaches out to people with AIDS". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  4. ^ "For this pantry, Christmas Eve marks 31 years of feeding HIV/AIDS-impacted LGBTQ community". Chicago Sun-Times. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Vital Bridges Food Program". Heartland Alliance. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Open Hearted: Lori Cannon - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 25 June 2003. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Vital Bridges NFP Inc". GuideStar Profile. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  8. ^ "All the info on Vital Bridges in Chicago | 4121 W Lake, Chicago, IL 60624 | Chicago". GoPride Chicago. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Open Hand Chicago". Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Retrieved 10 June 2023.