A sad day for the Bay Area as the founder of one of the most well-known charitable organizations has passed away.

Ruth Brinker, who founded Project Open Hand, passed away on Monday at the Eden Valley Assisted Living Center in San Francisco. She was 89 years old.

In 1985, after retiring from a career in food services, Brinker heard about a neighbor who died of AIDS.  Shocked to hear about the fact that malnutrition was as much the cause of her neighbor’s death as the illness itself, she began preparing meals in her own kitchen to help people living with the deadly disease.

That was where Project Open Hand was born.

Currently, the organization helps to feed not only those with AIDS and HIV, but the elderly, women affected with breast cancer and those that are homebound. Project Open Hand not only prepares meals, but also delivers food and provides grocery services for its many clients.

Brinker is survived by her daughters, Lisa and Sarah, her grandson, Max Corso and great granddaughter, Bailey Corso.

Photo Credit: Project Open Hand

• Tag: AIDS, Charitable Organization, HIV, Meals, Project Open Hand, Ruth Brinker