Open Hands Food Pantry and Garden
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Open Hands Food Pantry and Garden
Home
Need Food?
Volunteer
Give
Donate
About Us
Contact Us
Values/Guidelines
FAQs
More
  • Home
  • Need Food?
  • Volunteer
  • Give
  • Donate
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Values/Guidelines
  • FAQs

  • Home
  • Need Food?
  • Volunteer
  • Give
  • Donate
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Values/Guidelines
  • FAQs

About Us

The Food Pantry's Story

Our Garden and its Future

The Food Pantry's Story

Hunger is real in the Metro Detroit area.  The Open Hands Food Pantry was started in 1982 in a small closet to provide food for neighbors in need. In 2021 we served nearly 19,000 people with food and other necessities. Through the generosity of our all volunteer staff, Open Hands during the COVID pandemic distributes food every Saturday. 

Hunger is real in the Metro Detroit area.  The Open Hands Food Pantry was started in 1982 in a small closet to provide food for neighbors in need. In 2021 we served nearly 19,000 people with food and other necessities. Through the generosity of our all volunteer staff, Open Hands during the COVID pandemic distributes food every Saturday.   

Open Hands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and has expanded to include the Open Hands Garden to provide fresh produce to food pantry clients.


View our Values Statement and Operational Guidelines HERE

Our Garden and its Future

The Food Pantry's Story











Open Hands Board 


  • Bruce Donigan, Chair
  • Susan Harlow, Secretary
  • Cathy Holcomb, Treasurer
  • Sister Veronica Dunbar
  • Jennifer Smigielski
  • Joey Spano
  • Dennis Spatafora, Open Hands Garden
  • The Rev. Beth Taylor
  • Maria Walter
  • Timi Wittig, Volunteer Coordinator,  Operations Manager

Our Garden and its Future

Our Garden and its Future

Our Garden and its Future

The Open Hands Garden was the brainchild of Dennis Spatafora.  Dennis, an engineer by profession, volunteered at Earthworks Urban Farm, a ministry of the Capuchins in Detroit and saw the impact of fresh produce on the food insecure.  He approached St. John's Episcopal Church for the use of their property. Through the work of a dedicated a

The Open Hands Garden was the brainchild of Dennis Spatafora.  Dennis, an engineer by profession, volunteered at Earthworks Urban Farm, a ministry of the Capuchins in Detroit and saw the impact of fresh produce on the food insecure.  He approached St. John's Episcopal Church for the use of their property. Through the work of a dedicated and hardworking core Steering Committee the garden was amazingly successful from the start. In 2017 the garden joined Open Hands under its independent 501(c)(3) non profit organization designation.  


Watch the Open Hands Garden video below and 

visit the garden's Facebook page.

Open Hands Food Pantry

Hunger is real in Oakland County

Open Hands Food Pantry has been providing food and toiletries to Oakland County residents since 1982. Now Open Hands is the largest food pantry in Oakland County.

Open Hands is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a member of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.

In 2022, we served more than 20,000 clients. 

Watch this video to learn more about Open Hands 

Open Hands Garden

. 

Watch this video to learn more about Open Hands Garden

Open Hands Food Pantry and Garden

 

Mission Statement:

Open Hands is a community-based non-profit food pantry and garden that provides assistance to and elevates the dignity of our neighbors.


Located at:

St. John's Episcopal Church

26998 Woodward Avenue at 11 Mile

Royal Oak MI 48067 

(947) 900-1263 (local number)

Pantry@OpenHandsPantry.org



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