Hence, the “Slow Movement” is resonating with more and more folks world wide. We were having a little discussion about the meaning of “slow food” at work here the other day, and though it’s an actual historical endeavor (beginning in 1986 with Italian resistance to a certain fast food establishment opening in Rome), the nuances of meaning in most folks’ super hectic lives are inviting all sorts of relevance 25 years later. Here at St. Anthony’s, we are recognizing “Slow Food” as the theme of our May 17th Symposium—part of our celebration of 60 years (and counting!) of service. We say this is something that we’ve been doing for 60 years, and that’s true—our Dining Room meals are “slow cooked”, nutritious meals, but it’s not only the way we prepare our food that’s the ticket here. The name “Dining Room” implies that the meals are for sitting down at the table and sharing a meal together—actually slowing down, sharing a conversation, making real time connection with each other. It’s amazing to me that first decade of service at St. Anthony’s, the 1950’s, was the decade of a revolution in home kitchen meals, ala new kinds of frozen foods and quicker fixins, as well as a boom for kitchen appliances that has only mushroomed ever since. As much as this kitchen revolution made things a little easier for my mom and so many of us since trying to juggle a jazillion things in complex & fast paced times, I’m very grateful! However, we all know the losses of not having “time at the table” with one another.

Fr. Alfred Boeddeker didn’t found the St. Anthony’s and the Dining Room because the pace of living was too fast. He opened the Dining Room to feed people that were hungry for actual food and for genuine belonging. Here we are 60 years later with more people than ever hungry for both, but in addition, more people than ever are also hungry not only for Facebook—but for face-to-face and enough time to be present for each other (and even for ourselves!). It’s so often that it is the guests of St. Anthony’s and the volunteers who serve that most important ingredient of every meal: recognizing and welcoming one another as kindred. Bless this food, slowly and surely!

“I remember the way you helped me when I first came to San Francisco knowing no one. My backpack and money were stolen, and you helped me unti I got back on my feet. I have sent a donation every year since. Thank you.” – Mary Stofflet, San Francisco, CA

“You are an absolutely wonderful organization. You help all of those that are in need. Thank you very much for opening your doors to all of those that are in need of your love, compassion, sympathy, and support!” — Steven Lee, Daly City, CA

“Happy 60th birthday St. Anthony Foundation. Thank you for all your love and care to the poor and homeless over all the years. Through my angel brother who dedicated most of his life to the poor; I am so honored to be a part of the Franciscan family. Keep up the good work!” – Mae Lotito, San Juan Capistrano, CA

“San Francisco has been a better place because of many friends of the Franciscans who have volunteered to offer more than food to the very needy – Thank you for your special contribution to all creeds-continue to grow and give” — Sarah E. Sweeney, Santa Rosa, CA

“I remember the day my mother told me about Fr. Boeddeker starting a dining room on Golden Gate Ave. for the needy and hungry. As a native of San Francisco, I feel proud and honored to be a part of giving to St. Anthony’s dining room. God bless all of you who give back, and keep you safe and healthy. With sincere thanks for letting us be a part of St. Anthony’s tradition. Jack and Irene Giusto” – Jack and Irene Giusto, Hillsborough, CA

“Happy Birthday St. Anthony Foundation! My son’s class from S.I.C. P. spent a day at your Foundation and I joined them as a chaperon. Seeing the impact of their experiences that day that came through on their fearful and insecure faces has remained in my mind as one of the most significant moments of insight into a world previously unknown to them. For my son, it was the beginning of a real consciousness of social justice, some thing he pursues in his college years. Thank you for your gift to us.” – Hamed and Patricia Shahamiri, San Francisco, CA

“Seversal years ago I working in the Dining Room. Best job was bussing tables where I could meet so many of the guests and enjoy the repartee with the men in the scullery. A broken hip and ill health forced me to retire and I still miss those great mondays on Jones St. Happy Birthday and God Bless” — Mrs C Hutchason, San Francisco

“I worked at Hibernia bank in the mid 1950s. I remember the line at that time waiting for their meal. Not  long ago I was at Jones St and Golden Gate and it was lunch time. I was moved by the number of needy men and women to whom St. Anthony’s is still providing food. May God bless and provide for St. Anthony Foundation always.” – David C. Silva, Burlingame

“As old San Franciscans, we remember your total love, acceptance and respect of everyone. No questions asked. Thank you.” – The Gesek Family, Dublin

AA was just 15 years old when Fr. Alfred Boedekker opened the doors to St. Anthony Dining Room in 1950. Since then countless people men come through the doors looking for a hot meal and found hope by later entering St. Anthony’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program, a year long program that emphasizes the tools and 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

We received this email yesterday from a former guest. Here’s what it said:

i am a vietnam vet. when i was discharged at treasure island in 1965, i
came to san francisco. i lived on the street for a time, often hungry.
st. anthony’s was a place where i could always get one meal every day, no
sermons, no hassles. thank you.

On Sunday St. Anthony Foundation turned 59 years old.  Which strikes us here a few different ways.  It means that for nearly six decades St. Anthony’s programs have been open to serve those in our community who need them most.  It means that for folks who have fallen through the holes in the safety net, there have been hands there to reach out to them, and help them back to their feet.

It also means those services, that were intended to help men in the post-war 1950’s economy to re-stabilize, have not become unnecessary.  That still, through wars, economic peaks and valleys, the structures that create poverty have not changed. And in many cases, have changed for the worse.

For now, even though the Foundation is entering its golden years, we are more active than ever.  Seeking ways to best serve the ever-changing population that comes to us for help.  Finding ways to collaborate and plan for the future, to advocate and work with community leaders and service providers to make hunger, poverty and homelessness obsolete.  And until that day comes, when we can put ourselves out of business, we will remain a cornerstone for those who need a hand up.

St. Anthony’s opened on October 4th because this was the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Having committed his life to following in the footsteps of this 13th century holy man, the pastor of the church on Golden Gate chose this day to begin a great work that has become a living testament to St. Francis’ love for the poor.

St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved and most popular of all saints—and that’s still true if we rightly broaden the term to include holy men and women of all religious faiths. When we consider his popularity, we might suspect the crafty hand of a modern day marketing expert at work. After all, St. Francis has become the favorite of backyard gardeners, the champion of environmentalists, the patron of pets and the defender of the dispossessed. But the key to such a broad spectrum of devotion is not to be found in the portfolio of a Vatican publicist.

The breadth is explained by the depth.

At the heart of Francis’ canticle to Brother Sun and Sister Moon is his joy in an intimate bond that unites all creation. His preaching to the birds and his offer of reconciliation to the wolf sprang from his belief in the moral standing of all living beings. What pulled him off his horse to embrace the leper and invited him to identify with the poor and lowly was his glimpse of the divine in the simple and the rejected.

St. Francis had a gift of seeing within in order to look beyond. It was this grace that allowed him to share with those in need. Like his patron, Fr. Alfred Boeddeker saw through the mean stereotypes used to dismiss the “bums” and the hobos” of the 50’s and welcomed brothers and sisters who deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.

This is the grace that has enabled countless volunteers over the past 59 years to follow in St. Francis’ footsteps as they walk to a table in St. Anthony’s Dining Room to deliver a tray of food.

Four hundred meals were served on October 4, 1950 in the new St. Anthony’s Dining Room because October 4th was the feast of St. Francis. Fr. Alfred chose that day in the city of St. Francis to declare that the spirit of il poverello (the little poor man) of Assisi lives on. We celebrate the feast of St. Francis this year by serving more than 2600 meals a day in that same Dining Room, in that same spirit.