Spectrum Community Services Announces New Meals on Wheels Partnership with Open Heart Kitchen
Spectrum Community Services Announces New Meals on Wheels Partnership withOpen Heart Kitchen
After nearly 30 years of partnership with Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Spectrum willcontinue uninterrupted meal delivery for homebound seniors through a new mission-aligned collaboration with Open Heart Kitchen.
Livermore, CA — July 8, 2026 —
Spectrum Community Services is happy to announce a newpartnership with Open Heart Kitchen to support its Meals on Wheels program serving homeboundolder adults in the Tri-Valley. Beginning July 1, Meals on Wheels meals are now prepared by Open HeartKitchen, a trusted local nonprofit with deep roots in the Tri-Valley and a mission closely aligned withSpectrum Community Services' commitment to food access, dignity, and community care.
The transition follows the conclusion of Spectrum Community Services' long-standing meal productionpartnership with Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley. The transition coincides with the planned retirement ofStanford Health Care Tri-Valley's aging Livermore facility at 1111 E. Stanley Blvd., which no longermeets current seismic safety standards. With meal production at the Livermore site ending andStanford Health Care Tri-Valley's Pleasanton kitchen at capacity, Spectrum sought a mission-alignedlocal partner to ensure that service to seniors would continue without interruption. The partnershipbegan in 1997 with ValleyCare Health System and has helped provide nutritious meals, medicallytailored meals, wellness checks, and connection to thousands of homebound older adults throughoutthe Tri-Valley. Today, Spectrum Community Services delivers more than 75,000 meals each year to 340homebound older adults across the Tri-Valley — along with regular wellness checks and a daily point of human connection.
“For nearly three decades, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley has been an extraordinary partner in helpingSpectrum Meals on Wheels deliver nutritious meals and daily connection to homebound older adults,”said Lara Calvert, Executive Director of Spectrum Community Services. “We are deeply grateful for theircommitment and proud of what we accomplished together. As we begin this next chapter with OpenHeart Kitchen, our priority remains unchanged: ensuring that seniors in the Tri-Valley continue toreceive hot meals produced locally in the Tri-Valley by dedicated local neighbors five days a week. Theknock on the door is more than just a meal, it’s a smile, a wellness check, and care for our seniorswho want to remain healthy and independent at home.”
Open Heart Kitchen provides meals, groceries, and support to individuals and families experiencingfood insecurity throughout Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Sunol. The organization’s mission is toprovide equitable access to nutritious food today while building a food-secure tomorrow.
“We are honored to partner with Spectrum Community Services to help ensure homebound older adults in the Tri-Valley continue receiving nutritious meals and compassionate support,” said John Bost, Executive Director of Open Heart Kitchen. “Our organizations share a deep commitment to food access, dignity, and community care, and we look forward to working together to support seniors who rely on Meals on Wheels for nourishment, safety, and connection.”
Meals on Wheels service will continue without interruption. Clients will continue receiving nutritious meals, wellness checks, and friendly visits from Spectrum’s volunteers and staff as the program begins this new chapter with Open Heart Kitchen.
For Livermore client Ellie Rex, Meals on Wheels provides both nutritious meals and meaningful daily connection. “I have been receiving Meals on Wheels for two years,” Rex said. “I am not able to cook or go grocery shopping anymore. Meals on Wheels provides me with meals that are delicious. The human contact that I receive is invaluable to my mental health. I cannot tell you how much it means to have someone at my door every day. The volunteers ask about my life and are excited for me as I am about to be a great- grandmother. They are part of my life.” Rex also said the visits have become part of her household routine. “The volunteers give treats to my dog, Princess,” Rex said. “She howls for them because she knows when they are coming.” Spectrum’s Meals on Wheels program supports homebound older adults who may be unable to shop for or prepare meals on their own. In addition to nutritious meals, the program provides regular wellness checks and an important point of human connection for seniors who may be isolated or living alone.
Spectrum Community Services is also relocating its Livermore office to the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance's (TVNPA) Common Point Nonprofit Center. Just half a mile from Open Heart Kitchen's Vineyard Resource Center, the new location will deepen Spectrum's ties to Open Heart Kitchen and to the 24 other nonprofits based at Common Point — partners united by TVNPA's belief that "together, we're better." At Common Point, Spectrum will be co-located with TVNPA, a membership organization representing over 100 nonprofit organizations. Spectrum Community Services will work closely with clients, volunteers, staff, and community partners throughout the transition. The organization is committed to listening to feedback and making adjustments as needed to support a smooth and successful change.
How to Help
Spectrum Community Services' Meals on Wheels program has room to serve more homebound neighbors — and needs community support to do it:
Volunteer. Spectrum Community Services is seeking volunteers who can make a weekly commitment to deliver a route, as well as drivers for its meal van. Each delivery is a meal, a wellness check, and a
friendly visit. https://www.spectrumcs.org/volunteers or call 510-881-0301
Refer a neighbor. Spectrum Meals on Wheels has capacity to take on additional clients. Anyone who knows a homebound older adult who could benefit is encouraged to reach out.https://www.spectrumcs.org/senior-services/meals-on-wheels
Give. Government funding covers only part of the cost of each meal, leaving a $5 gap that Spectrum Community Services relies on donations to close. A gift of $25 helps close that gap for a full week
of hot meals and daily check-ins for a homebound senior.https://spectrumcs.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate
About Spectrum Community Services
Spectrum Community Services enhances the quality of life for older adults and families experiencing low income in Alameda County through programs that support nutrition, health, safety, and
independence. Spectrum’s services include Meals on Wheels, Senior Meals, Fall Prevention, LIHEAP energy assistance, and Weatherizati on. Spectrum Community Services is celebrating its 55th birthday this autumn. Learn more and get involved at: SpectrumCS.org
About Open Heart Kitchen
Founded in 1995 as a small, grassroots effort to address hunger, Open Heart Kitchen distributes free meals and groceries throughout the Tri-Valley, coordinates services and resources at Vineyard Resource Center, and provides overnight shelter for those who are unhoused and/or in crisis. Its dedicated staff, volunteers, and donors are working towards a food-secure and shelter-secure future through four primary programs: Community Meals, Senior Meals, Overnight Shelter, and Grocery Distribution. Visit openheartkitchen.org for more information on the mission, what’s next for the organization, and how you can help.
Media Resources:
Photos available from Spectrum Community Services, or come ride along on a delivery.
Media Contact:
Lara Calvert
Executive Director, Spectrum Community Services
[email protected]
