Hands On Hartford

What Hands On Hartford does

Hands On Hartford is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service organization founded in 1969 (originally as Center City Churches, renamed in 2006) and headquartered at 55 Bartholomew Avenue in Hartford, Connecticut. The organization serves Hartford's economically vulnerable residents through nine integrated programs spanning food access, housing, and health. Core food programs include the MANNA Community Pantry (full-choice shopping model serving 1,000+ households monthly), Gather55 (a participation-model restaurant where all are welcome regardless of ability to pay, minimum $3 contribution), and the Backpack Nutrition Program (serving 230+ children weekly across 7 Hartford schools). Housing programs span Homelessness Prevention (rental/utility assistance and landlord mediation), Homeless Outreach (mobile street team in collaboration with Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance and Journey Home), Supportive Housing (100+ tenants with complex health issues), and the Cold Weather Program launched January 2025 with Journey Home. Health and case management services are delivered through an on-site Day Program, with Hartford HealthCare and Charter Oak Health providing clinic and mobile medical/dental services, and University of Saint Joseph supplying student nursing support.

The organization's business model is a multi-stream nonprofit revenue structure. Primary funding comes from individual donations (via Network for Good online portal and direct mail), corporate and foundation grants (typically $1,000-$5,000 from local employers such as Cummins, Floor & Decor, Liberty Bank, Prudential, and The Hartford), government grants supporting housing and food programs, and fundraising events (the annual Walk Against Hunger raised nearly $35,000). Modest earned-revenue streams include Gather55 meal contributions (minimum $3) and Speakers Bureau honoraria (events starting at $300). Volunteer labor is a critical operational input, with 1,000-1,400 volunteers providing 14,500-19,500 hours of service annually — a force multiplier on the small 11-50 person staff. The organization was previously affiliated with the national HandsOn Network (Points of Light) until 2025, when it transitioned to full operational independence. In September 2024, long-time Executive Director Barbara A. Shaw retired after 13 years and was succeeded by Janet Bermudez, who had been with the organization for nearly 17 years.

Name

Hands On Hartford

Legal name

Hands On Hartford

Website

https://handsonhartford.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hands On Hartford is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that provides food access, housing support, and health services to Hartford, Connecticut's most vulnerable residents through nine integrated programs. It operates from a single Center for Community, supported by 1,000+ volunteers, corporate grants, and modest earned revenue from Gather55 restaurant and Speakers Bureau.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human and Social Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (62421), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Meals, Nutrition & Congregate Dining Day Programs (HSABANAM)

Keywords

• Food pantry services
• Homeless outreach services
• Supportive housing programs
• Community social services
• Food insecurity assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization relies heavily on individual donors who contribute through the website, direct mail, and events. Donations support all programs and services.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Funding from corporations (e.g., Cummins Inc. $5,000 grant, Floor & Decor $5,000 grant) and foundations supporting specific programs.
3. Government Grants and Support: Government funding and support for homeless prevention, housing, and food access programs.
4. Volunteer Contributions: Over 1,400 volunteers provide thousands of hours of service annually, enabling program delivery.
5. Gather55 Meal Contributions: Participation model restaurant where diners contribute minimum $3 or volunteer time. To-go meals have $1 upcharge.
6. Speakers Bureau Fees: Events start at $300 for speaker honorarium, with pricing dependent on audience size, event type, and location.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hands On Hartford delivers a portfolio of community service programs serving Hartford's economically vulnerable residents across food access, housing stability, and health support. Its core offerings include a full-choice food pantry (MANNA), a participation-model restaurant (Gather55), weekend backpack nutrition for schoolchildren, homeless prevention and street outreach, permanent supportive housing for individuals with complex health issues, an educational Speakers Bureau, and a commercial shared-use kitchen for food entrepreneurs.

Product overview

Hands On Hartford is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community service programs focused on food access, housing support, and health services in Hartford, Connecticut. The organization operates as a unified set of programs rather than a single product or platform. The core programs include: the MANNA Community Pantry (food pantry), Gather55 (participation model restaurant), Backpack Nutrition Program (school food program), Day Program (resource center), Homelessness Prevention, Homeless Outreach, Supportive Housing, Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau, and Shared Use Kitchen. These programs work together to address basic needs and promote long-term stability for Hartford's vulnerable residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gather55: Participation model restaurant that welcomes all, regardless of ability to pay. Diners may pay full price, contribute a minimum of $3, or volunteer time with Hands On Hartford.
• MANNA Community Pantry
• Backpack Nutrition Program
• Shared Use Kitchen
• Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau

Products and services

• MANNA Community Pantry Full-service shopping-model food pantry empowering households with choice and nutrition by offering pantry staples, fresh food, and halal options; open Monday through Thursday with emergency food bags available to all Connecticut residents.
• Gather55 Participation-model daytime cafe/restaurant that welcomes all regardless of ability to pay, offering fresh breakfast and lunch with a minimum $3 contribution, volunteer exchange option, guest chef collaborations, and a community gathering space.
• Backpack Nutrition Program Provides Hartford students with weekend meals, snacks, and additional essentials to ensure they are nourished and ready to learn; currently serves 230+ children at 7 local schools weekly during the school year.
• Day Program Drop-in resource and referral center offering housing connections, health screenings, assistance with IDs, employment support, SNAP applications, and risk reduction supplies in a safe and welcoming environment.
• Homelessness Prevention Advocacy, financial assistance, and referrals to help individuals remain in their homes, including rental assistance, security deposit assistance, utility assistance, and landlord mediation.
• Homeless Outreach Street outreach team that connects individuals living outdoors with resources and services, distributing risk reduction items and working toward housing solutions in collaboration with the Homeless Response System.
• Supportive Housing Safe, affordable housing with comprehensive supportive services for individuals with complex health issues, including mental health concerns, substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, and HIV/AIDS; provides intensive case management to over 100 tenants across Greater Hartford.
• Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau Educational program where speakers with lived experience of homelessness share their stories to educate audiences, dispel myths about homelessness, and inspire positive change in the community; events start at $300 covering speaker honorarium.
• Shared Use Kitchen Licensed commercial kitchen space available hourly for startup and small food businesses to scale up their operations; home to 65+ food entrepreneurs including bakers, caterers, and food trucks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 565,255 lbs of food distributed in 2025 through food access programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Journey HomecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Community partner collaborating on the Cold Weather Program providing temporary housing at Travel Inn Motel for unsheltered individuals from January through April 2025. Prioritized those over 50 and those with chronic health or mobility challenges.
• Hartford HealthCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates daytime health clinic at Hands On Hartford twice monthly offering health screenings, immunizations, lab tests, medical referrals, and follow-up care. Insurance accepted but not required.
• Charter Oak HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile medical and dental van providing medical, dental, counseling and other health services at Hands On Hartford every Monday from 11:15am-2:00pm regardless of ability to pay.
• Connecticut Harm Reduction AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for homeless outreach connecting individuals living outdoors with services and resources needed to secure housing.
• Connecticut FoodsharecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Walk Against Hunger event partner. Connecticut Foodshare hosts the annual walk bringing together 60+ nonprofits to fight hunger. Hands On Hartford participates annually.
• University of Saint JosephcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent nurses from USJ visit twice weekly during school year to provide blood pressure and blood sugar checks at Day Program and Community Pantry. Also provides Easter goodies, books, and other support.
• Liberty BankminorStrategic or Co-development Partner40 employees volunteered to assemble 1,000 snack and craft bags for Backpack Nutrition Program featuring coloring pages, highlighters, stickers, and snacks.
• Dollar TreeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteered across five service areas: washed dishes and served at Gather55, assisted shoppers in Community Pantry, assembled storage unit for Backpack Nutrition Program, tended Community Garden, created 144 care kits.
• Voya FinancialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond consecutive year volunteers planted seeds in Community Garden extending fresh produce to programs.
• PrudentialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuring Global Volunteer Month, team participated in Faces of Homelessness presentation and packed 360 bags with protein-rich snacks and bottled water for homeless outreach distribution.
• Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner65 employees packed over 230 Fun-in-the-Sun safety kits for Backpack Nutrition Program with sunscreen, lip balm, bubble wands, sunglasses, and chalk. Also donated 500 toiletry kits and provided financial support.
• Hartford Wolf PackminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional hockey team hosted food drive resulting in over 600 pounds of nonperishable food donation. Also hosted player-created ornament auction raising $736.
• The HartfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated 200 toiletry kits packed with needed items for MANNA Community Pantry and Homeless Outreach Programs.
• Allen Chapel AME ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvery third Monday prepares and donates hot pasta meal for free Monday Night Community Dinner, bringing joy and a sense of belonging to guests.
• Avon Congregational ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated to support milk costs in MANNA Community Pantry in honor of Rev. Jennifer McCleery's birthday.
• First Church in WindsorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated $1,000 to Walk Against Hunger team and sponsored Easter Community Meal. Volunteers at Gather55 regularly.
• First Church of Christ SimsburyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServed 247 meals to Hartford neighbors during New Year's Day holiday meal.
• Dollar Tree in WindsorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated gifts of warmth for adults during New Year's Day meal.
• University of Saint JosephminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided books for children during New Year's Day meal. Also provided Easter goodies for Easter Community Meal.
• Temple Beth HillelStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated six Welcome Home kits with 29 essential items for individuals recently housed through Homeless Outreach Program.
• Church of St. Peter ClaverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly donation of approximately 200 sandwiches for homeless outreach team and hosted food drive collecting 636 pounds of pantry items.
• First Church of Christ Congregational 1652 in FarmingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRallied congregation to Fill the Backpacks with Warmth, gathering over 230 each of winter hats, gloves, and socks for Backpack Nutrition Program.
• Selective InsuranceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner19 dedicated individuals served across four shifts in Gather55 and Community Pantry.
• Hartford reSETcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Food Incubator program supporting recent graduates who showcased dishes at Gather55 as guest chefs.
• Gengras CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Spring Festival fundraiser for Hands On Hartford. Collected over 600 lbs of food and 130 toiletry items for MANNA Community Pantry.
• American Red Cross ConnecticutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Greater Hartford Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc. for annual MLK Jr. Day Blood Drive.
• Jack and Jill Inc. Greater Hartford ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual MLK Jr. Day Blood Drive partnership with American Red Cross. Hosted nonperishable food and winter-item collection with 35 people volunteering.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Connecticut Foodshare: Connecticut's largest food bank and an active Hands On Hartford partner, hosting the annual Walk Against Hunger. Directly comparable as a regional food access and anti-hunger organization serving overlapping communities.
• Journey Home: Hartford-focused homelessness and housing organization that co-runs the Cold Weather Program with Hands On Hartford. Directly comparable in target population, services, and geographic footprint.
• Chrysalis Center: Hartford-based nonprofit providing supportive housing, mental health, and recovery services to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, and behavioral health needs — directly comparable to Hands On Hartford's supportive housing and homeless outreach programs.
• Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance: Active Hands On Hartford outreach partner focused on harm reduction services for people who use drugs and people experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable in target population and street-based outreach model.

Others

• Hartford HealthCare: Core healthcare partner that runs an on-site clinic at Hands On Hartford twice monthly. Comparable as a Hartford-based health access provider and potential collaborator in care coordination for vulnerable residents.
• Charter Oak Health Center: Federally qualified health center operating a mobile medical/dental van at Hands On Hartford weekly. Comparable as a low-barrier healthcare provider serving similar vulnerable populations in Hartford.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of Hartford: Larger, established regional social services provider offering food, housing, and immigrant/refugee services across Hartford County. Comparable mission and service mix, but with a broader geographic and programmatic footprint.
• Salvation Army of Greater Hartford: National nonprofit operating meal programs, shelter, and emergency assistance in Hartford. Comparable as a community food and housing provider serving overlapping vulnerable populations.

Emerging players

• Hartford reSET: Hartford food incubator and entrepreneur support organization that partners with Hands On Hartford on guest chef events. Comparable in supporting food entrepreneurs through the Shared Use Kitchen, but with a narrower economic development focus.

Regional players

• Foodshare (Toronto): Large Canadian food access organization with a similar multi-channel model (food bank, community kitchens, fresh produce distribution, social enterprise). Comparable as a model of integrated food access programming though operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/handsonhartford

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hands On Hartford