 Open Hand Chicago | |
| Merged into | Chicago Community Response, Open Hand Chicago, The HIV Coalition |
|---|---|
| Successor | Vital Bridges Food Program |
| Formation | 1988; 37 years ago (1988) |
| Founders | |
| Location |
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Open Hand Chicago was originally founded in 1988. 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.
Open Hand Chicago began as a food delivery service for people with HIV/AIDS. It expanded into a food pantry. In 2011 it became part of Heartland Alliance and then became Vital Bridges Food Program as part of the consolidation of Chicago Community Response, Open Hand Chicago, and The HIV Coalition.
In 1994 Open Hand Chicago was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.
References
- "Open Hand Chicago". Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society's History. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- "AIDS: Delivering life-Open Hand Chicago starts rolling out meals". IL State Rep Greg Harris. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- Joravsky, Ben (16 December 1993). "Comfort and hope: Open Hand reaches out to people with AIDS". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- "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.
- "Vital Bridges Food Program". Heartland Alliance. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- "Open Hearted: Lori Cannon - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 25 June 2003. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- "Vital Bridges NFP Inc". GuideStar Profile. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- "All the info on Vital Bridges in Chicago | 4121 W Lake, Chicago, IL 60624 | Chicago". GoPride Chicago. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- "Open Hand Chicago". Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Retrieved 10 June 2023.