On February 11, 2011 nearly 100 friends of St. Anthony’s gathered at Gap Inc for A Toast to the First 60 Years, a benefit featuring Kevin Zraly.

Kevin Zraly is the founder of the Windows on the World Wine School which has graduated over 20,000 students and an author of a book by the same name (over 3 million copies sold). Before the event, Kevin spent his morning at St. Anthony’s, where we learned about his personal connection to St. Anthony and his roots in the faith community.

The event began with Domaine Carneros Brut served with an array of appetizers in the Gap Inc lobby. The lobby is an amazing space on a beautiful sunny California day and houses some of the Fischer family’s art collection.

After the reception, guests proceeded to the 2 Folsom Cafe for Kevin Zraly’s One Hour Wine Expert seminar. Guests tasted six different wines including Trefethen Riesling, Whitehall Lane Sauvingnon Blanc, Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir, Hall Merlot, and Peju Cabernet Sauvignon. Kevin had the whole room laughing while learning throughout the course with his witty anecdotes and humble approach to wine.

After the seminar, guests enjoyed dinner accompanied by their favorite wines and finally toasted the night with their choice of dessert wine:a Tawny Port or Gewurztraminer.

Mr. Zraly stayed to sign books and pose in pictures with every table. It was a great event with smiles all around!

On Tuesday, February 22, St. Anthony’s joined more than 500 low-income seniors, people with disabilities, Medi-Cal recipients, people who provide in-home care and day services for the elderly and disabled, and CalWORKs families from across the state to ask our lawmakers to pass a budget that protects our health and our safety net.

We gathered at the State Capitol in Sacramento for a lively rally.  Participants included a mother whose CalWORKs child care subsidies allow her to make her way through college, a blind woman who receives SSI/SSP income and faces a $15 per month reduction in benefits, and a woman who faces having to quit her job to take care of her mother if her mother’s Adult Day Health program benefits are cut.

St. Anthony’s Free Dining Room serves an average of 2,600 meals a day to our community. Some of our dining room guests have no incomes. Others live on fixed incomes like SSI/SSP, which is a federal-and state- funded income support program for poor seniors and people with disabilities. In California, SSI/SSP recipients are ineligible for Cal Fresh (the new name for California’s Food Stamp program). The maximum SSI/SSP benefit is only 93% of the poverty level, and many people face difficulties affording rent, medical care, and food.

At St. Anthony’s, we believe that our federal, state, and local budgets are not just economic documents: they’re moral documents that prioritize what our society values.  The people who receive food, services, and medical care from St. Anthony’s are valuable members of our community, but they can often feel that their voices go unheard.  Something awesome happens, however, when a group of people who may not feel powerful on their own come together to ask for justice: they combine their voices, and by supporting each other, they speak out with a united voice and empower each other.

On February 9th I joined St. Anthony’s colleagues Colleen Rivecca and Franky Fardella at the historic Crest Theater in Sacramento for the 2011 CalFresh Forum, a day-long conference examining the current state of California’s food stamp program. Much of the forum focused on California’s painfully low food stamp enrollment rate, and all of the conference’s panelists spoke with urgency about what our state can and should do in order to get more Californians enrolled in CalFresh (the new name for the Food Stamp program). These activities include outreach to those who may not know they’re eligible, and streamlining enrollment and eligibility verification processes so more people can get enrolled faster, and with less of a hassle.

The forum was eye-opening for me. I’ve always believed in the necessity of public benefits to keep vulnerable members of a community afloat, but had never stopped to closely consider what it really means when someone who is eligible for food stamps fails to receive them. I assumed that, while it was certainly unfortunate for people to go without help they surely needed, there was no net loss for society. I thought that somewhere down the line, money was being saved.

The lesson I took away from the CalFresh forum is that a low food stamp enrollment rate is actually very costly for any community. Food stamps are federally-subsidized and spur money to be spent locally, boosting local economies and benefitting businesses in low-income neighborhoods. In California, 50% of those who are eligible for food stamps don’t receive them. If our state were to have 100% enrollment, l0w-income Californians would receive an additional $4.9 billion in federal benefits, which would actually translate to more than $8.7 billion in economic activity in the communities of needy residents. Food stamp use is good for the economy.

It is also very costly for all of us to have neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens be unable to feed themselves adequately and nutritiously. This cost makes itself apparent in strains on medical care and social services for those facing food insecurity. More than half of the 26 million people in America receiving food stamps are children. The negative effects of hunger among children during crucial periods of physical, mental, and social development are devastating and far-reaching. None of us can afford the economic or moral cost of 1 in 5 kids in the U.S. lacking adequate access to food.

What this means is that we all need to be advocates for making CalFresh easier to access and use. We should vocalize our support for the CalFresh Act of 2011, which will mandate the move from quarterly to semi-annual reproting, requiring less paperwork and administrative work for benefits to be approved, and will also eliminate the fingerprint imaging requirement for food stamp applicants. We should also challenge the harmfully widespread assumption that our food stamp program is wasteful, an undue burden on the economy, or is a handout program for those who opt out of trying to work. In reality, food stamps are used by seniors, the disabled, the working poor and low-income families. They are a vital resource for people who would go hungry without them, and their availability and use is essential to the well-being of our society. Like it or not, we live in an inter-connected world, and it’s a good thing for all of us when benefits are accessed by those of us who need them.

On March 11^th, 2011 Father Alfred Center is hosting our annual Spring Fund Raiser Dinner for sponsors & families of our residents.  The goal is to raise enough money to send our residents to the 2011 Northern California Convention of Narcotics Anonymous XXXIII (held this year in Sacramento CA on Saturday April 23^rd, 2011).

“For persons rehabilitating from their addictions, sharing this day with thousands of recovering addicts will be an affirming experience of sobriety, a profound and meaningful support for their decision and efforts to turn their lives around towards a future free from the bonds of addiction.”

This year’s menu is:

Appetizers:

• Shrimp Cocktail
• Spring Mix, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Gorgonzola Cheese, Croutons, & Toasted Pecans (Served with a home made vinaigrette dressing)

Entrée:

• Crab Stuffed Halibut
• Risotto
• Asparagus

Dessert:

• Strawberry Shortcake
• Cheesecake

(menu is subject to change)

If you wish to make a donation to help send Father Alfred Center residents to the convention check please call:

Raynette Page-Johnson                   (425) 592-2880

Michael Hurd                                   (415) 592-2891

The Spring Fund Raiser Dinner is an opportunity for family and friends to bridge gaps often caused during addiction.  It provides an opportunity for them to begin to restore relationships in an safe & healthy environment, and to see the place where their loved ones are changing their lives.

It is often said that an addict can not find their way to recovery on their own.  Community & mutual support are imperative in the process.  The NA convention & the fund rasier dinner are two of the ways that a social model program like St. Anthony Foundation’s Father Alfred Center helps our residents stay connected, and stay clean.

What’s cooking this week at St. Anthony Dining Room!

Monday, February 21st – Presidential Pie
A casserole made of a layer of red beans, ground beef, topped with mashed potatoes.

Tuesday, February 22nd – Mac and Cheese

Tuesday, February 23rd – Chili con Carne
Beef simmered in chili sauce with pinto beans

Thursday, February 24th – Chicken, Orzo and Feta
Seasoned with oregano, lemon, and mint

Friday, February 25th – Ham Hash
A hash made with ham, potatoes and vegetables

Saturday, February 26th – Turkey and Corn Chowder
A Boston favorite. Turkey simmered with corn, peppers & potato

Sunday, February 27th – Chef’s choice
St. Anthony’s Dining Room turns Iron Chef as we churn out dishes made from seasonal ingredients.

Check back for weekly installments of On The Menu!

What’s cooking this week at St. Anthony Dining Room!

Monday, February 14th – Cupid’s Coq Au Vin
Chicken marinated in red wine and spices simmered to perfection. A lover’s delight. (No Alcohol)

Tuesday, February 15th – Gumbo
Zesty turkey and sausage stew served over rice. The Flavor of New Orleans

Tuesday, February 16th – Hoisin Chicken with Rice
Chicken simmered in a delicious Chinese plum sauce

Thursday, February 17th – Vegetable Lasagna
Delicious layers of tomato sauce, pasta, vegetables and cheese baked to perfection.

Friday, February 18th – Chef’s choice
St. Anthony’s Dining Room turns Iron Chef as we churn out dishes made from seasonal ingredients.

Saturday, February 19th – Chicken Mole
Diced chicken simmered in a tomato sauce with chocolate and ground nuts

Sunday, February 20th – Chicken and Veggie Risotto
Chicken and vegetables cooked with creamy risotto

Check back for weekly installments of On The Menu!

I typically am a bike commuter, but this morning I found myself without my wheels and opted to take the muni rail line from the Sunset down to work at Civic Center. The N-line is invariably crowded, today being a particularly stuffy commute, so I thought nothing of it when a man with large Sony headphones pushed up close to me and repeatedly tried to validate his clipper card on the sensor. As the man proceeded to make unusual grunting noises, mumble “too, too many people” and pat himself on the arms and stomach, I quickly realized this gentleman most likely was mentally disabled. His behaviors soon appeared to make several of our fellow Muni-riders uncomfortable, a few people displayed obvious irritation at his loud, repetitive outbursts. Our crowded commute proceeded as expected: uncomfortable, crowded, and before everyone’s morning coffee.

We reached the Duboce/Noe stop and our conductor announced that earlier there had been an emergency in tunnel, so we may have some wait time coming up. To most of my Muni comrades, this news was a minor irritation – to the man with the Sony headphones, this news felt potentially life threatening. He pushed to get off the Muni between stops (where the doors don’t open) and became increasingly agitated. He was truly alarmed by prospect of being trapped in a tunnel for ANY period of time– which honestly, who among us can honestly say they aren’t at least mildly panicked at the thought of being crammed in an overcrowded metal box stuck 30 feet below the ground? I myself avoid taking the underground Muni during rush hours for the exact reason that I hate the idea of being stuck underground in a crowded, confined space. So, I could commiserate with the man’s upset.

It was then when I realized I was not just hearing this man grunt and moan about our delay, but someone else was making similar noises. As I looked around the train, I realized another man was mocking this gentleman’s distress. A few passengers rolled their eyes at the mentally ill man and others giggled at the one mocking him. Something in the pit of my stomach turned sour – this man obviously had a different perception of the situation at hand because of his mental capabilities, and to him this experience was truly frightening. Surrounding passengers found his reaction confusing, and perhaps annoying, and instead of deescalating his fear with compassion and understanding they were mocking his pain.

I was shocked. Was I the only one who thought this was wrong? And then I realized: so much of who I am and how I view the world is because of the values of where I work and those who I work with. The San Francisco Tenderloin, for all the stigma of being a “bad” place, is a community of tolerance and compassion. It is a community where people understands that we are all different, that our experiences often shape the way we view the world, and that if we don’t band together to make life a little easier for one another then it’s going to be a long, bumpy ride.

At the St. Anthony Foundation, we meet people where they are. Many of our clients find themselves ostracized by the general public because they are struggling with mental illness – here, they can be a part of a community where they are welcome. Here people’s suffering is eased by the listening ear of a social worker, by the familiar smile of a regular volunteer, by the comfort of a peaceful place to share a meal. I’m lucky to say I’m on a first name basis with many of our clients, in particular patients at St. Anthony’s Free Medical Clinic, and whenever I pass them on the streets they ALWAYS say hello and brighten my day. One of my favorite clients, a mentally ill gentleman who is very high functioning, tells me Laurel and Hardy jokes every time I see him – it is truly a blessing to feel so much love every day here in the Tenderloin.

But here, on this Muni train filled with commuters dressed in business suits, I suddenly felt alienated. Nobody seemed to recognize the man with the Sony headphones for who he was – someone confused, afraid, and in need of reassurance. A human being, just like the rest of us. For a moment I was angry — how could they be so ignorant! – but this passed and instead, I dug deep and called on what I’ve learned here at the St. Anthony Foundation and its Franciscan Values of healing, community, personalism, justice, and gratitude. I turned towards the man and looked him calmly in the eyes, my back to the crowd.

“It’s ok, it won’t be much longer. We’ve only stopped moving for a little bit, You’ll be ok. We’re all in this together.”

He focused his attention on me and stopped shaking back and forth, asked me a few more times “train has stopped? We’ll get off soon?” confirming with me that, yes, we would eventually disembark. I repeated my answer as many times as he needed to hear it, in a calm voice (only 3) and, satisfied, he focused himself silently on the doors and resumed patting his arms to comfort himself.

We got off at Civic Center, together.

Anyone who takes frequent walks through the Tenderloin has most likely noticed these sleek banners (see photo) installed around the neighborhood. San Franciscans tend to forget that the Tenderloin is one of the more architecturally interesting neighborhoods in the city, and the banners serve as a reminder that just a few square blocks are home to an awful lot of buildings that are intriguing to the eye and integral to San Francisco history.

Learn more about TL architecture and history at the websites of the Uptown Tenderloin Historic District and North of Market-Tenderloin Benefit District, and read photographer Mark Ellinger’s blog, Up from the Deep. And next time you’re in the neighborhood, spend a few minutes getting acquainted with some of its 409 historic buildings. It might mean setting aside some time to stroll the streets and observe buildings up close, but one thing usually true about the Tenderloin is that it rewards those who bother to take a closer look.

Gubbio: the village in Italy where legend has it that St. Francis of Assisi spoke with a wolf who was terrorizing the people of the village. Upon hearing that the wolf was starving, Francis arranged for the villagers to feed the wolf. Not only was the wolf no longer a threat; he become a beloved protector and companion of the village for the rest of his life.

Gubbio Project: St. Boniface Church, where those who are homeless can rest & sleep in the western ½ of the Church during the week day mornings, safely. They—so often thought of as threatening themselves, are really suffering from threatening conditions: hunger, homelessness, inadequate health care and employment possibilities, and even some other human beings who target the poor and homeless to harass, rob, or even physically harm.

St. Anthony Foundation: where all human beings of this planet are welcome and respected day in and day out by our wonderful volunteers! Yes, our volunteers ARE “Out of this World!” Thank goodness they live, breathe, and serve here on Earth. Our theme this year for our Volunteer Appreciation Event will be “Outer Space!” …

May “Planet Gubbio” come to be as “home base” not only in Italy, St. Boniface, and St. Anthony’s, but on all curves of our beloved globe!

On Tuesday, January 25, St. Anthony Foundation joined advocates from around the state in Sacramento to speak with our representatives about hunger issues as part of California Hunger Action’s legislative leadership visit day. For our last legislative visit of the day, St. Anthony Foundation staff Colleen Rivecca and Celina Sutton joined with Western Center on Law and Poverty’s Jessica Bartholow and St. Anthony Foundation guest Franky Fardella to talk to Assembly member Tom Ammiano about the anti-hunger advocacy issues we would be working on this year.

One of the issues that caught Assembly member Ammiano’s attention was a complicated issue that could be addressed with a simple solution.  Due to a rather confusing state-level policy, many counties, San Francisco included, were unnecessarily sanctioning General Assistance recipients who fail to meet work requirements by removing their Cal Fresh (formerly known as “Food Stamp”) benefits.

By making a simple administrative change, General Assistance recipients who are unable to meet work requirements while our unemployment level remains above the national average don’t have to face hunger and the loss of their CalFresh benefits.  Cal Fresh benefits are funded through federal dollars, yet they are spent at local grocery stores and farmers’ markets, creating an economic benefit for our community while helping to support struggling San Franciscans with access to food.

Assembly member Ammiano discussed our concerns with San Francisco City Hall a few days after our visit to Sacramento.  A few days later, we were thrilled to learn that the San Francisco Food Stamp department revised their Food Stamp Employment and Training Policy in order to take advantage of changes to state and federal law that allows CalFresh recipients on General Assistance to retain their CalFresh benefits when unemployment rates are above the national average.

We are excited to have played a part in this important policy change that will improve the lives of struggling San Franciscans while providing an economic boost to local merchants, grocers, and farmers markets — all at no cost to the City of San Francisco.