Open Hand Atlanta: How This Atlanta Nonprofit Delivers Meals, Nutrition, and Support

If you live in Atlanta or spend time in the city, you’ve probably heard the name Open Hand Atlanta—especially in conversations about food assistance, senior services, or chronic illness support. This long-standing nonprofit plays a major role in helping Atlantans access nutritious meals and nutrition education.

This guide explains what Open Hand Atlanta is, who it serves, how it works, and how people in Atlanta can get involved or seek help.

What Is Open Hand Atlanta?

Open Hand Atlanta is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers healthy, home-delivered meals and provides nutrition education to people who might have trouble shopping, cooking, or accessing nutritious food on their own.

Its work is focused on:

• Seniors and older adults in Atlanta who want to remain independent at home
• People living with chronic illness (such as heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, or HIV)
• Individuals with disabilities or limited mobility
• Low-income Atlantans who are food insecure and need structured meal support

The organization’s main operations are centered in the City of Atlanta but serve clients across the wider metro area, depending on program eligibility and funding.

Where Is Open Hand Atlanta Located?

Open Hand operates out of a large commercial kitchen and administrative space in Atlanta.

Main facility (headquarters and kitchen):
(Open Hand Atlanta – commonly listed primary location)
181 Armour Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone (main line): 404-872-6947

Because office hours, intake processes, and walk-in policies can change, it’s usually best for Atlanta residents to call ahead before visiting in person.

What Services Does Open Hand Atlanta Provide?

Open Hand focuses on nutrition support, not just basic food relief. Programs are structured to help people eat better and manage health conditions, while also addressing food insecurity.

1. Home-Delivered Meals

Open Hand is well known in Atlanta for home-delivered, medically tailored, and nutritious meals. These meals are typically:

• Prepared in a central Atlanta kitchen
• Delivered directly to clients’ homes
• Designed to be balanced and portion-controlled
• Often tailored to specific health needs when part of medical nutrition programs

Common groups served in Atlanta include:

• Older adults living alone in neighborhoods from Buckhead and Midtown to Southwest and South Atlanta
• People recently discharged from hospitals like Grady, Emory, or Piedmont who need help maintaining nutrition at home
• Individuals with chronic illnesses referred by clinics, case managers, or social workers

Eligibility usually depends on age, health status, income level, and location within the service area.

2. Medically Tailored Meal Programs

In Atlanta, many clients are connected to Open Hand through healthcare providers and social service agencies.

For example, Atlantans may be referred through:

• Hospital case management teams
• HIV care agencies and Ryan White–funded providers
• Community health centers in neighborhoods like West End, Edgewood, Clarkston, or Doraville
• Senior services agencies and county aging departments

For eligible clients, meals may be:

• Low-sodium, heart-healthy, or diabetes-friendly
• Designed with specific nutrient needs in mind (for example, kidney-friendly plans)
• Provided for a certain period during treatment, recovery, or long-term management

Meals may be funded through a combination of public programs, grants, and private support, so coverage and availability can vary over time.

3. Senior Nutrition Support

Older adults across metro Atlanta often connect with Open Hand through senior services networks. Depending on contracts and partnerships, Open Hand may:

• Provide meals for senior centers or congregate meal sites
• Deliver meals to homebound seniors
• Offer nutrition support to older Atlantans living in affordable housing complexes or assisted communities

If you’re in Atlanta and looking for meal help for a senior, a good starting point is:

Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services
Phone (Aging and Disability Resource Connection): 404-463-3333

They can explain whether Open Hand or another local provider is serving your area and how to apply.

4. Nutrition Education and Counseling

In addition to meals, Open Hand also emphasizes nutrition education, which can include:

• One-on-one nutrition counseling (often via referral from healthcare providers)
• Group classes or workshops hosted in community centers, clinics, or partner agencies
• Practical guidance on topics like meal planning, portion control, label reading, and managing diet with chronic conditions

These services can be especially helpful for Atlanta residents who are:

• Recently diagnosed with a chronic condition and unsure how to adjust their eating
• Trying to make healthier food choices on a limited budget
• Caring for family members who need special diets

Access to these services sometimes depends on program eligibility, insurance, or partnerships, so the best way to learn more is to call Open Hand or ask a healthcare provider if they work with the organization.

Who Can Get Help from Open Hand Atlanta?

Open Hand does not function like a walk-in food pantry. Instead, it operates through structured programs with eligibility rules.

Typical Atlanta-area clients include:

• Low-income seniors who are homebound or have difficulty preparing meals
• People with serious or chronic illnesses referred through medical or case management programs
• Adults with disabilities limiting their ability to cook or shop
• Sometimes caregivers or family members in certain programs (depending on funding)

Eligibility is usually based on a combination of:

1. Health status (documented illness, disability, or recovery need)
2. Income or financial need
3. Residency within specific counties or service zones
4. Referral source, such as a doctor, case manager, or social worker

For someone in Atlanta trying to find out if they qualify:

• ☎️ Call Open Hand Atlanta’s main line: 404-872-6947
• Ask for client services or intake
• Be prepared to share basic information about your health situation, age, where you live, and income level
• If you’re connected to a hospital or clinic in Atlanta, ask if they partner with Open Hand and can make a referral

How to Get Referred in Atlanta

Many Atlantans do not apply directly on their own. Instead, they are connected by professionals who already handle their care.

Common referral sources in the Atlanta area include:

• Hospitals and medical centers

  • Grady Memorial Hospital
  • Emory University Hospital and Emory Midtown
  • Piedmont Atlanta
  • Wellstar hospitals serving metro Atlanta

• Community health centers and clinics

  • Federally Qualified Health Centers across the city
  • Neighborhood clinics and HIV/STD treatment centers

• HIV and chronic disease service agencies

  • Ryan White–funded case management programs
  • Infectious disease clinics

• Aging and disability services

  • County senior services offices
  • Case managers supporting homebound adults

If you’re working with any case manager, social worker, or discharge planner in Atlanta, you can ask directly:

Open Hand Atlanta and Food Insecurity in the City

Atlanta’s food landscape includes:

• Areas with limited access to fresh groceries, especially in parts of South and West Atlanta
• Older adults and disabled residents who may live far from full-service supermarkets or cannot easily reach them
• Households managing high medical costs and limited incomes, making healthy food harder to afford

Open Hand plays a unique role in this environment by focusing not just on filling stomachs, but on:

• Nutrient-rich, balanced meals
• Health-focused meal plans tied to medical needs
• Education that helps people use food as a tool to support their overall well-being

For many Atlantans, Open Hand is part of a broader safety net that might also include:

• Local food pantries and church-based food ministries
• SNAP (food stamps) and WIC benefits
• Community refrigerators or mutual aid groups
• Senior center meal programs and congregate dining sites

When one program isn’t the right fit, staff from Open Hand or partner agencies can often point people toward other resources.

How Atlantans Can Volunteer with Open Hand

Open Hand relies heavily on volunteers from around metro Atlanta. For anyone looking to give back, this is one of the most accessible ways to support food and health in the city.

Typical volunteer opportunities include:

• Meal packing

  • Portioning and packaging meals in the kitchen
  • Requires standing, basic lifting, and following food-safety guidelines

• Meal delivery

  • Using your own vehicle to deliver meals to clients along assigned routes
  • Common in neighborhoods across Atlanta and nearby communities
  • Volunteers usually receive orientation and route details ahead of time

• Group volunteering

  • Corporate groups from Atlanta-based companies
  • School groups, faith communities, and civic organizations

To explore volunteer options:

• Call the main line (404-872-6947) and ask for volunteer services
• Be prepared to schedule in advance—Atlanta is a large city, and popular volunteer times can fill up

📝 Tip: If you’re coming from farther-out suburbs (like Marietta, Stone Mountain, or Fayetteville), ask which shift times and roles work best with traffic and parking.

Ways to Support Open Hand as an Atlanta Resident

Beyond direct volunteering, Atlantans often support Open Hand through:

• Financial contributions (one-time or recurring)
• Workplace giving or matching programs at large employers in the city
• Hosting donation drives or fundraisers through schools or community groups
• Spreading information to neighbors, patients, or clients who might qualify for services

Because Open Hand’s programs depend heavily on funding, community support helps maintain and expand services in the Atlanta region.

How Open Hand Fits into Atlanta’s Health and Social Services Network

Open Hand is frequently part of a coordinated care approach, especially for people with complex health or social needs. In Atlanta, this might look like:

• A hospital discharge plan that includes home health nursing, physical therapy, and Open Hand meals
• A case management plan for someone living with HIV that combines medical treatment, housing support, and delivered meals
• A senior services plan arranged through county aging programs that includes transportation, home modifications, and nutrition support from Open Hand or similar providers

For professionals in Atlanta—such as social workers, clinic staff, or nonprofit case managers—Open Hand can be an important referral partner when food access and nutrition are clear challenges for a client.

Quick Reference: Open Hand Atlanta at a Glance

For anyone in Atlanta—whether you’re a resident seeking help, a caregiver supporting a loved one, or a community member looking for a meaningful place to volunteer—Open Hand Atlanta is one of the city’s central resources at the intersection of food, health, and community support.