Sen. Dodd: Hands Across The Valley is Napa County Nonprofit of the Year
NAPA – For three decades, Hands Across The Valley has been raising money for Napa County’s safety net food programs, connecting generous donors to programs such as Meals on Wheels and the Napa Valley Food Bank, ensuring vulnerable seniors, families and children do not go hungry. In recognition of its important work for the community, Hands Across The Valley has been named Napa County Nonprofit of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd.
“Without this great, nonprofit organization, many Napa County families would not be able to put food on the table,” Sen. Dodd said. “Their fundraising has enabled us to meet the challenge of food insecurity and build a community without hunger. I am forever grateful for the leadership and generosity of George Altamura, and I’m proud to recognize him for this significant achievement.”
“I wish to thank Sen. Dodd for the recognition,” said Altamura, president and founder. “Hands has raised millions of dollars since I started the organization 30 years ago. It has fed thousands in need and I thank God for giving us the opportunity to take care of so many people. Thank you everyone for your generous support.”
Hands Across The Valley was created in 1994 when Altamura, a real estate developer, learned the Napa Food Bank was running out of money and other nonprofits were also struggling financially. He was struck by the fact that in the midst of Napa Valley’s opulence and wealth, hundreds of people were going hungry every day.
Hoping to bring the region’s vast resources to bear, Altamura launched an inaugural fundraising event featuring San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, golfer Johnny Miller and then-state Sen. Mike Thompson. It was a success, with 500 guests contributing tens of thousands of dollars to safety net food programs. The event caught on, growing over the years and becoming one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year.
In addition to the Food Bank and Meals on Wheels, beneficiaries include Molly’s Angels, Cope Family Center, Napa Emergency Women’s Shelter and Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. The 31st annual Hands Across The Valley fundraising event is set for Sept. 16.
Photo: George Altamura
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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd