Hands Across The Valley was founded in 1994 when George Altamura learned that the Napa Food Bank was running out of money. He and other leaders in the Community, decided to come together to do something about the situation. Upon investigation, they discovered some surprising statistics: The Food Bank was still serving hundreds of individuals and families each week, but funding from the Federal government was being reduced. The First Presbyterian Church in Napa was providing a hot meal six days a week to over 100 individuals and families. The Salvation Army was doing the same. A group of citizens in Calistoga was feeding fourteen families every day and had a waiting list. Meals on Wheels was serving over 100 frail, elderly or disabled housebound individuals each day. These numbers did not include the over 2,000 families and their children in the Valley who were receiving aid at a standard below the Federal poverty guidelines. In the midst of opulence and wealth in the Napa Valley, it became obvious that hundreds of people were going hungry every day.

    George began a campaign “to do something about hunger in the Napa Valley," and a committee was formed to stage a fundraising event.

They had no idea how the community would respond. To everyone’s delight, over 500 guests showed up for the inaugural event held at Bistro Don Giovanni Restaurant to join Linda and Johnny Miller, 49er legend Steve Young, Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola and other community celebrities “to make a few pizzas and share some Napa Valley wines”!

    The next year, Eleanor and Francis Coppola hosted the event at their home in Rutherford. Celebrities from the world of sports and the silver screen were again on hand to join over 650 guests. The benefit gained wide Bay Area coverage and sold out far in advance. In 1996, because of the event’s tremendous growth, the Coppola’s agreed to move the benefit to their newly acquired Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery in Rutherford. Over 1,000 guests enjoyed Napa’s finest food and wine, celebrity pizza tossing and dancing under the stars. In what has now become a much-anticipated annual event, Hands Across The Valley has succeeded in raising well over $2,000,000 to benefit Napa Valley’s Safety Net Food programs.