Tag Archive for: open hand

20TH ANNUAL PARTY IN THE KITCHEN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/15/23

Open Hand Atlanta to Host 20th Annual Party in the Kitchen at American Spirit Works, Sept. 28

Annual fundraiser flashes back to the neon decade with live music, crafted cocktails, exquisite cuisine, and captivating auctions in support of Open Hand Atlanta

Open Hand is celebrating 20 years of its largest annual fundraiser, Party in the Kitchen, taking place at The Stave Room at American Spirit Works on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 7- 10 p.m. This year, the event will honor Chef Gerry Klaskala, who has generously supported Open Hand for 20 years and has dedicated more than 9 years as a Chef Chair of Party in the Kitchen.

Hosted by Chef Kevin Rathbun and Chef Peter Kaiser, along with Co-Chairs Marlene Alexander and Butch Whitfield,
guests are invited to indulge in Atlanta’s premier culinary social occasion, showcasing 20 of Atlanta’s finest chefs. DJ Twitch and DJIT will take guests back into the decade of MTV, shoulder pads, and big hair as the evening pays tribute to 1988, Open Hand’s founding year, with an unforgettable evening full of entertainment, flavorful food, master mixology and live and silent auctions.

“We are so honored to have Marlene Alexander and Butch Whitfield joining our chef co-chairs Chef Peter Kaiser and Chef Kevin Rathbun for this year’s event,” said Open Hand Executive Director Matthew Pieper. “Not only are they raising critical funds for our mission, but they are also paying tribute to our founding in the 1980s.”

Exquisite culinary masterpieces will be created by famous local chefs such as Kevin Rathbun, Chris Hall,
Peter Kaiser, Ian Winslade, Doug Turbush, Stephen Herman, and others. Attendees will have the opportunity to not only savor delectable food and cocktails, but can also bid on a diverse selection of luxury items, ranging from exclusive travel experiences to captivating entertainment and elegant fine dining packages.


Open Hand will host a Patron Party before the main event for VIP guests in the American Spirit Works Courtyard beginning at 5:30 p.m. Patron ticket prices start at $750 and include access to the main event. Attendees will have the chance to preview live and silent auction items, as well as the opportunity to mingle with Atlanta’s celebrity chefs. 


Party in the Kitchen raises much-needed funds to support Open Hand’s programs which provide access to home-delivered, health-promoting meals as well as nutrition education to those living with or disabled by chronic disease, homebound seniors and at-risk youth and families.

Tickets to Party in the Kitchen are on sale now and can be purchased for a special rate of $250 through August 25 before the price increases to $300 per ticket. For information on sponsorship packages or to purchase tickets, visit PartyintheKitchen.org.

DINING OUT FOR LIFE 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/31/22

Open Hand Atlanta encourages the community to dine-in and give back for Dining Out For Life, April 27

 Annual fundraising event Dining Out For Life returns April 27 to support Open Hand Atlanta. Atlantans are encouraged to dine-in at one of the more than 50 participating restaurants or enjoy take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery.

Since 1993, Atlanta-area restaurants have joined together in raising over $3 million in support of Open Hand’s mission to provide community members with healthy meals and nutrition education. Every year, thousands of supporters have dined out for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the knowledge that participating restaurants would donate a portion of their bill to help Open Hand provide nearly 5,000 nutritious meals daily and support their neighbors battling chronic disease and disability to live healthier, more independent lives.

With recent hardships that continue to affect Atlanta’s food service industry, Dining Out For Life’s generous partner restaurants may not be able to give 25% as in years past, but they are committed to giving what they can to support the cause. With this in mind, restaurant-goers are encouraged to consider making a donation of their own on the restaurants’ behalf. This year’s restaurants include Atlanta favorites such as Guac y Margy’s, The General Muir, Local Three, Max Lager’s, Agave and more. A full list of participating restaurant partners can be found here.

This year, Subaru— a longtime supporter and presenting sponsor of Dining Out For Life— and the national Dining Out For Life leadership has selected Atlanta as a spotlight city. National Dining Out For Life spokesperson Mondo Guerra from Project Runway will be in town to promote the local program and spread awareness about the importance of volunteerism.

Ways to Support Open Hand:

For more information on Dining Out For Life and Open Hand, as well as to stay up-to-date on events and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.diningoutforoh.org and www.openhandatlanta.org or connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

DINING OUT FOR LIFE 2021: APRIL 26-MAY 2

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/22/21

Open Hand encourages the community to dine-in, take out and give back in support of local restaurants during Dining Out For Life, April 26-May 2

Open Hand Atlanta continues to support local restaurants with the return of its annual Dining Out For Life fundraising event, presented by Manhattan Associates. Local Atlanta diners are encouraged to safely dine-in or enjoy take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery from April 26 – May 2. The week-long Dining Out For Life will drive donations for Open Hand’s nutritional programs and services.

“The critically ill, disabled and homebound are at the greatest risk when it comes to this virus. Our programs are on the front lines every day with a laser-focused commitment to keeping the most vulnerable populations safe and nourished with meals they rely on for survival,” said Executive Director Matt Pieper. “Dining Out For Life is integral to providing the necessary funds to respond to the increase in demand for home-delivered meals since the start of this pandemic. Simultaneously, this event supports our restaurant partners who have remained as dedicated as we are to serving Open Hand’s mission over the years.”

For almost 30 years, thousands of locals have dined out for breakfast, lunch and dinner knowing that participating restaurants were donating a portion of their bill to help Open Hand provide nearly 5,000 nutritious meals daily and empower neighbors battling chronic disease and disability to live healthier, more independent lives. The organization has refocused its efforts to a hybrid event in hopes of joining the community together to dine in or take out and support the restaurant partners that have been loyal and dedicated to Open Hand over the last three decades. Locals can find the ever-growing list of participating restaurant partners here.

This year to support Open Hand, restaurants are giving what donations they can and Open Hand is encouraging restaurant-goers to consider donating on their behalf. No matter how large or small, funds raised during Dining Out For Life supports Open Hand’s life-saving, nutritional services of preparing, packing and delivering nourishing meals to those most vulnerable. This year’s returning restaurants include Atlanta favorites such as Arnette’s Chop Shop, Varuni Napoli, Eclipse di Luna, The General Muir, Local Three, ROXX Tavern, Table & Main and West Egg Café.

Ways to Support Open Hand:

  • Donate to Open Hand online at donate.openhandatlanta.org/ge/dofl
  • Connect with Open Hand via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share posts, information and more.
  • Enjoy restaurant dine-in, take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery from April 26 – May 2. Post about the experience using #diningoutforoh.

“Open Hand has served the most vulnerable in metro Atlanta for decades, and with the challenges presented by the pandemic, community support is needed now more than ever,” commented Kathleen Creech, Chief People Officer of Manhattan Associates. “We’re honored to be the 2021 presenting sponsor of Open Hand’s annual fundraiser, Dining Out For Life, and encourage the community to participate.”

For more information on Dining Out For Life and Open Hand, as well as to stay up-to-date on events and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.diningoutforoh.org and www.openhandatlanta.org or connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

DINING IN FOR LIFE 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/9/20

Open Hand steps up to support restaurant partners with Dining In for Life, April 27-May 3

With the current challenges posed to the city’s food service industry, Open Hand is turning the tables on its annual Dining Out For Life fundraiser by encouraging locals to “Dine In” with restaurant take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery from April 27 – May 3. The change is not only to support Open Hand, but also a step to help support restaurant partners as they navigate the changes necessitated by the evolving COVID-19 developments.


“We find ourselves in uncertain and unprecedented times. Open Hand started 30 years ago serving those affected with HIV/AIDS, and we once again find ourselves advocating for the most vulnerable in our community. Our priority is to ensure our clients continue to receive meals they heavily rely on,” said Executive Director Matt Peiper. “A virtual Dining Out for Life event will provide Open Hand with vital funds to help sustain service to our clients while simultaneously supporting the restaurant partners who have remained steadfast proponents of the Open Hand mission over the years. Our current community crisis reminds us of the earliest days of the HIV/AIDS crisis when so little was known about the disease. Open Hand was a comforting force for our clients then – just as we must be now.”

 

Open Hand depends on funds raised by its signature events, such as Dining Out for Life, to continue to operate as one of the nation’s largest community-based providers of home-delivered meals and nutrition education. Open Hand staff and supporters will utilize online peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage their social networks to donate to their mission that Atlanta chefs and restaurant owners had hoped to help fulfill.

The organization has refocused its efforts on a virtual event in hopes to join the community together to “Dine In” and do good for the generous restaurant partners that have supported Open Hand over the last three decades. Many of the restaurants are currently open – offering take-out, curbside pick-up and delivery in various metro-Atlanta neighborhoods. Locals can find a full list of restaurant partners here. Open Hand encourages the community to support local restaurants by also purchasing giftcards or donating to online “tip jars” that support staff members and employee relief programs.

Open Hand continues to serve the community during this crisis by preparing, packing and delivering nutritious meals to the most vulnerable in our community empower neighbors to live healthier, more independent lives.

Ways to Support Open Hand:

  • Make a donation to Open Hand online at org/donate.
  • Connect with Open Hand via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share posts, information and more.
  • Enjoy restaurant take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery and “Dine In” from April 27 – May 3. Post about the experience using #dininginforoh.

For more information on Dining Out for Life and Open Hand, as well as to stay up-to-date on events and volunteer opportunities, please visit the Dining Out for Life website at www.diningoutforoh.org and www.openhandatlanta.org or connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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16TH ANNUAL PARTY IN THE KITCHEN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/11/19

Open Hand fires up fun with annual Party in the Kitchen fundraiser, September 26

Mingle with Atlanta’s celebrated chefs while enjoying live music, cocktails and more

The Stave Rome at American Spirit Works

Chef Chairs Kevin Rathbun and Gerry Klaskala, along with Co-Chairs Nan Street and Carmen Titelman, invite Atlantans to mix and mingle with local chefs and fellow foodies during the 16th annual Party in the Kitchen benefit at The Stave Room at American Spirit Works in support of Open Hand Atlanta. On Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m., guests will enjoy delicious fare from more than 20 of Atlanta’s finest restaurants, including Aria, Rathbun’s, Local Three Kitchen & Bar, The General Muir and Table & Main, as well as hand-crafted cocktails provided by top mixologists.

Open Hand Atlanta hosts the culinary-focused event annually to raise much-needed funds to support its programs which provide access to home-delivered, health-promoting meals as well as nutrition education to Atlantans living with or disabled by chronic disease, homebound seniors and at-risk youth and families. As guests enjoy food prepared by some of Atlanta’s finest chefs, the event will also include a live auction with opportunities to win incredible one-of-a-kind experiences, such as exclusive in-home dinners prepared by renowned chefs Kevin Rathbun and Gerry Klaskala, as well as a silent auction which will feature an array of luxury items including travel packages, entertainment opportunities and fine dining experiences.

Open Hand will also host a Patron Party at the Spanx Rooftop Terrace a few weeks prior to the main event which will provide another opportunity to showcase some of Atlanta’s most divine bites as well as a sneak peek of the live and silent auctions. The Patron Party event will take place on Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the main event begin at $250 and include access to unlimited food tastings and an open bar. Patron Party tickets are $1500 and include two tickets to the Patron Party as well as two tickets to the main event. For information on sponsorship packages or to purchase tickets, visit PartyintheKitchen.org.