Fr. Alfred & Fr. Floyd Lotito celebrating St. Anthony’s 25th Anniversary in 1975

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.

More than thirty-five million meals ago, the doors to St. Anthony’s Dining Room opened for service. It was October 4, 1950. Why on that day? Was it meant to open on October 2nd, but delayed because of construction? Was there some natural disaster on October 3, 1950, that Fr. Alfred Boeddeker, pastor of St. Boniface Church next door, responded to by providing meals to those left homeless? Rand McNally says that San Francisco has the best weather in the country in October. So why this day and not December 4th to bring the hungry and homeless in off the streets?

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.

On The Menu August 3rd-August 9th 2009

Monday August 3rd- Fabada

Fabada is a classic white bean stew of Spain which simmers savory and flavorful meats with beans and spices. Today’s Fabada is flavored with delicious turkey sausage and tomato.

Tuesday August 4th- Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad has its roots in France, of all places, where Salad Nicoise is delicately composed of tuna, green beans, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, and onion. The hearty and high protein American version served at St. Anthony’s is dressed in mayonnaise with vegetables and served with lettuce.

Wednesday, August 5th -Macaroni and Cheese

While Macaroni is an Italian grain, Macaroni and Cheese was originated by African Americans in the south , and is now a Soul Food standard. We aren’t talking Kraft here- St. Anthony’s Macaroni and Cheese have perfectly cooked noodles in a sharp cheddar cheese sauce.

Thursday August 6th- Turkey Salad with Curried Mayonnaise

While Curry itself is thought by many to have originated in India, variations of the savory classic can be found in the West Indies, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. This innovative cousin of the classic chicken salad has healthy pieces of chicken in a sweet and spicy dressing.

Friday August 7th- Father Alfred’s Birthday! Asian Chicken & Noodle Salad

If you have ever appreciated St. Anthony’s in any way , then you must know about Father Alfred, who was the Franciscan Friar who founded St. Anthony’s on October 4th, 1950. Father Alfred wanted a place where hungry people could be served, be filled, and create community while breaking bread. We celebrate Father Alfred’s birthday with a savory Asian Chicken & Noodle Salad with tasty chicken tossed in with a delicately flavored sesame soy sauce dressing.

Saturday August 9th- Frank and Beans

The word “frank” is short for frankfurter which comes from Frankfurt, Germany where sausages in a bun originated. It is unclear when “frank and beans” was coupled for a protein power packed meal, but certainly before 1851 when this poem was published around 1841 by an anonymous poet:

“The pot of baked beans! with what pleasure I saw it,

Well seasoned, well porked, by some, rosy face dame.

And when from the glowing hot oven she drew it,

Well crisped and well brown’d to the table it came.”

Sunday August 9th- Tuscan Bean Stew

Tuscan Bean Stew is an Italian classic made with white cannelloni, beans, tomatoes, olives, and delicious aged parmesan cheese. In Italy and Italian cuisine, beans play an important role as they are high in protein and make for hearty and heart healthy cuisine. Beans or fagioli are loved in all parts of Italy with Tuscany being famous for many bean dishes and soups.

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“Hello! How are you? Nice to see you!” said Father Alfred Boedekker to me as he enclosed my hand with both of his hands in a warm friendly manner in front of St. Boniface Church. I had just started working for St. Anthony Foundation back in 1990 and it apparently was a common sight to see this old Franciscan stopping total strangers in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco to greet them a warm good morning. Father Alfred began St. Anthony Foundation back in 1950 in an effort to help the hungry people of the Tenderloin community. What began as a simple dining room has flowered into what many call the miracle of Jones Street. St. Anthony now offers a free clinic, a home for senior women, a halfway home, and various social services for the community and the city at large. It has become a beacon of hope in the city of St. Francis. It has been said that vocations are contagious. 800 years ago a man in Assissi answered his call from God. From that simple act of St. Francis 800 years ago, a man in San Francisco followed by joining the Franciscans and then opening a free dining room for everyone. Both men are gone now but their work remains for others to follow, continue and hopefully, finish. “Lord make me an instrument of your love” is an enduring theme for all who follow in the footsteps of the man many have called the second Christ. From St. Francis of Assissi to Fr. Alfred of San Francisco, we have seen the results of answering this call.