FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spectrum Community Services Announces New Meals on Wheels Partnership with
Open Heart Kitchen
After nearly 30 years of partnership with Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Spectrum
will continue 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 new
partnership with Open Heart Kitchen to support its Meals on Wheels program serving homebound
older adults in the Tri-Valley. Beginning July 1, Meals on Wheels meals are now prepared by Open
Heart Kitchen, a trusted local nonprofit with deep roots in the Tri-Valley and a mission closely aligned
with Spectrum Community Services' commitment to food access, dignity, and community care.
The transition follows the conclusion of Spectrum Community Services' long-standing meal production
partnership with Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley. The transition coincides with the planned retirement
of Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley's aging Livermore facility at 1111 E. Stanley Blvd., which no longer
meets current seismic safety standards. With meal production at the Livermore site ending and
Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley's Pleasanton kitchen at capacity, Spectrum sought a mission-aligned
local partner to ensure that service to seniors would continue without interruption. The partnership
began in 1997 with ValleyCare Health System and has helped provide nutritious meals, medically
tailored meals, wellness checks, and connection to thousands of homebound older adults throughout
the Tri-Valley. Today, Spectrum Community Services delivers more than 75,000 meals each year to
340 homebound 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 helping
Spectrum 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
their commitment and proud of what we accomplished together. As we begin this next chapter with
Open Heart Kitchen, our priority remains unchanged: ensuring that seniors in the Tri-Valley continue to
receive hot meals produced locally in the Tri-Valley by dedicated local neighbors five days a week. The
knock on the door is more than just a meal, it’s a smile, a wellness check, and care for our seniors
who want to remain healthy and independent at home.”
Open Heart Kitchen provides meals, groceries, and support to individuals and families experiencing
food insecurity throughout Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Sunol. The organization’s mission is to
provide 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 clients like Pleasanton resident Lian Zhang, Meals on Wheels provides much more than a meal.
“I would give Meals on Wheels 10 out of 10,” said Zhang, a Pleasanton Meals on Wheels client.
“Before Meals on Wheels, the day would go by and sometimes it would be 2:30 p.m. and I did not
have anything to eat. But when Spectrum started bringing Meals on Wheels to me, I felt so much
happier. Health-wise, it made me more healthy because I am actually eating a balanced meal.”
Zhang also shared that the volunteer visits are an important part of the program.
“The delivery volunteers are very courteous, nice, and friendly,” Zhang said. “There are people who
check on me, checking if I am healthy and if I am having a good day or a good week. Those people
are angels.”
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
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 Weatherization. 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
510-876-8811
LCalvert@SpectrumCS.org
