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.