Hat’s, Socks, And Chocolate Bars Are Under The Tree For San Francisco’s Poor

SAN FRANCISCO, CA December 23^nd, 2008 Every guest that walks through the door at St. Anthony Dining Room on Christmas Day will be given a gift bag with a hat, pair of socks, and chocolate bar to go with their ham dinner.

“Our guests are grateful for the smallest things- a hot meal, a new pair of socks. Some of our volunteers and donors really wanted to offer a little something for our guests on Christmas Day, and with the numbers of people that are coming to us, we are fortunate to be able to do anything at all.” Donations are making the difference for San Francisco’s oldest private social services agency which is dedicated to serving the poor, and which anticipates serving close to 4,000 meals on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day marks the last day of St. Anthony’s Curbside Holiday Drive, where donations of food, clothing, and monetary donations can be made by driving up at curbside, so donors don’t even have to leave their cars, from 9am to 3pm. Donated items are distributed free of charge to San Francisco’s most needy residents.

For 58 years St. Anthony Foundation has provided free, life sustaining support for the poor and homeless. St. Anthony Foundation’s programs help heal individuals and families by providing a gateway to solutions to poverty, including a Dining Room which serves 2,600 meals every day, a Technology Lab/Employment Program, a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program, and a Free Medical Clinic. St. Anthony Foundation does not accept any federal, state, or local government money for its programs, and is entirely funded by private donations.

The Economic Crisis has made this Holiday Season especially tough for many. St. Anthony Volunteer Elena Anaya and UCSF Professor Judith Moskowitz talk to KTVU’s Ross McGowan on how giving time and money can relieve Holiday Stress.

Oldest San Francisco Dining Room For The Poor Prepares For Toughest Christmas Ever

SAN FRANCISCO, CA December 22nd, 2008 Every guest that walks through the door at St. Anthony Foundation Dining Room on Christmas Day will be served a Christmas meal of glazed ham and mashed potatoes, thanks to a donation of 3,300 pounds of ham from a long time St. Anthony’s volunteer. Donations like this are making the difference for San Francisco’s oldest private social services agency which is dedicated to serving the poor.

“We have weathered 7 recessions since we opened our doors in 1950” noted St. Anthony Foundation Executive Director Fr. John Hardin, OFM. “Instead of the 2,600 meals that we serve every day, we are looking at serving closer to 4,000 on Christmas. Fortunately, our volunteers and donors have really stepped up to help us meet the need, which is growing every day.”

Christmas Day marks the last day of St. Anthony’s Curbside Holiday Drive, where donations of food, clothing, and monetary donations can be made by driving up at curbside, so donors don’t even have to leave their cars, from 9am to 3pm. Donated items are distributed free of charge to San Francisco’s most needy residents.

For 58 years St. Anthony Foundation has provided free, life sustaining support for the poor and homeless. St. Anthony Foundation’s programs help heal individuals and families by providing a gateway to solutions to poverty, including a Dining Room which serves 2,600 meals every day, a Technology Lab/Employment Program, a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program, and a Free Medical Clinic. St. Anthony Foundation does not accept any federal, state, or local government money for its programs, and is entirely funded by private donations.

Reality Is That Donation Are Still Needed

SAN FRANCISCO, CA December 18th, 2008 St. Anthony’s is still glowing from the gift of $35,000 and set of new Technology Lab computer monitors from Gurbaksh Chahal, “secret millionaire”, as recently featured on Fox network’s new reality show by the same name. But with December marking the highest one-week filing rate of unemployment claims in the last 26-years, and the temperature dropping daily, St. Anthony’s is still stretching to meet the demand of those seeking food, warm clothing, and medical care.

To help meet the need, St. Anthony’s is preparing for its 21st anniversary of St. Anthony’s Curbside Holiday Drive. St. Anthony Foundation staff and volunteers, wearing easily identifiable red jackets, will take delivery of food, clothing, and monetary donations at curbside, so donors won’t even have to leave their cars. Donated items are distributed free of charge to San Francisco’s most needy residents.

“Whether you drive a Lamborghini or a Toyota, donations are critical to meeting the need this holiday season. In November we served 14% more meals in our Dining Room than November of  last year. We have 40% more people coming to our Free Medical Clinic than this time last year. And our Clothing Program has been unable to serve all the families that are coming to us for warm clothing,” noted St. Anthony Foundation Executive Director Fr. John Hardin.

St. Anthony Foundation’s programs help heal individuals and families by providing a gateway for solutions to poverty, including a Dining Room which serves 2600 meals every day, a free Clothing and Housewares program, an Employment Program/ Technology Lab,  Residential Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program, and a Free Medical Clinic. St. Anthony Foundation does not accept any federal, state, or local government money for its programs, and is entirely funded by private donations.

Guests of St. Anthony Dining Room were treated to a surprise visit from San Francisco Giants Pitcher Barry Zito today. Zito served trays of lasagna, salad, juice and dessert alongside dozens of regular long-time volunteers.

Barry ended his shift by signing autographs for guests and high school volunteers from Coliseum College Prep Academy in Oakland.

Thanks for stopping by, Barry! We hope to see you again soon!

Today, San Francisco Chronicle columnist C.W. Nevius writes about the growing number of families entering homelessness during what has been one of the coldest Decembers San Francisco has seen in years.

The timing couldn’t be worse.

San Francisco is in the worst budget crisis it has seen in 70 years. According to City Homeless Policy Director, Dariush Kayhan, the number of families requesting assistance is currently up “50 percent more than we had one year ago.”

We’ve been seeing the numbers slowly increase for a year now. Families of all shapes and sizes are coming to St. Anthony Foundation for food, clothing, medical care and assistance in navigating through the already over crowded social service system.

Because St. Anthony’s doesn’t accept government funding of any kind we can respond quickly to emergencies like this. And because we are supported entirely by private donations we aren’t in jeopardy when the city is in financial crisis at the same time as it’s people.

On Thursday, December 11th at 8pm on Fox, St. Anthony’s is featured on Fox’s new reality show “The Secret Millionaire.”

Every person that comes to St. Anthony’s has a unique history, and is offered dignity and respect – even if they are a millionaire. Let us know on the blog what you thought about the show.

Last week, we served 14% more meals in our Dining Room than this time last year. That means new faces are coming to our door every day, feeling the pangs of hunger. A generous donor has offered to match by 100% our holiday donations up to $20,000 to help meet the increased need. That means that your donation of $20, before December 31st, will now be worth 100 hot and nutritious meals in our Dining Room.

Help us meet the challenge!

Dr. Ana Valdés, Director of St. Anthony Free Medical Clinic, is profiled in this month’s 7×7 Magazine.

Pick up a copy at your nearest bookstore or download a pdf of the article now!