Urban Hands

Urban Hands exists to sustain and transform lives while enriching community through food. In July 2007, the co-founders of Urban Hands, Jim Lustig and Don Platt, began providing one meal a week to residents of Tent City III, one of Seattle?s homeless camps. Urban Hands officially began in 2009 out of the founders? passion to continue feeding and caring for the homeless community, as well as other food-insecure residents in the Seattle area. Utilizing many of the resources provided by The Upper Crust Catering, such as kitchen, refrigeration, & office space, we have established a culture in which anyone in need of a hot meal and inviting atmosphere can be fed and be known. Through this spirit of partnership, Urban Hands is able to extend meals to local organizations that already have relationships with people in need.  Tent City, Nicklesville, and Street Youth Ministries are a few of our long-term meal partners who serve homeless individuals all across the city.

We believe in the power of a shared meal. There is commonality in the simple act of sitting across a table and eating together. Our meal partnership and job training programs are founded and driven by this principle. Ultimately, individuals & organizations are empowered by this practice. In 2007, Urban Hands served an estimated 3,600 meals. Since then, our number of meals served has grown each and every year. In 2015, we provided over 35,000 meals throughout the city. Our meals consist of a salad, a protein, a starch, a vegetable, and a dessert. When possible, they are served hot out of the oven. As of January 1st, 2016, Urban Hands provides 10 weekly meals throughout the greater Seattle area, as well as drop-in meals at our facility in the Greenwood neighborhood. Our goal for this calendar year is to serve over 45,000 meals, and we would love your help!