About Us
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 2022 we served over 20,000 people with food and other necessities.
Open Hands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and has expanded to include the Open Hands Garden to provide fresh produc
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 2022 we served over 20,000 people with food and other necessities.
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
Open Hands Board
- The Rev. Gerardo Aponte-Safe
- Marcy Darin
- Bruce Donigan, Chair
- Susan Harlow, Fundraising Coordinator
- Cathy Holcomb, Treasurer
- Jennifer Perkins, Administrative Coordinator
- Jennifer Smigielski
- Joey Spano, Public Relations Coordinator
- Dennis Spatafora, Open Hands Garden
- Maria Walter
- Timi Wittig, Volunteer Coordinator, Operations Manager
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.