Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff flies back to San Francisco on Tuesday morning and what’s the first thing he does after he lands? He comes straight to St. Anthony Dining Room to volunteer.

Sure, we love that they won the World Series this year, but we have always and will continue to love them because they take the time to support the community they represent out on the field.

Thanks for helping out this week, Aubrey! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

We tell our daily group volunteers (our regular individuals know from experience) that a lunch conversation in the Dining Room with our guests is more often about topics such as weather, the menu, and sports than it is a deep exploration of “the meaning of life”. In fact, these accessible, everyday kinds of topics are often the very best means to revealing genuine connection between folks, “turning the tables” so to speak on preconceived notions of “them” and “us”.

Well, since last week, sports and the meaning of life are one in the same genre!!! We’re talkin’ GIANTS, sports fans!!!! For example, on Thurs, 10/7 when I went into the Dining Room to retrieve the high school group volunteers, I found them engaged in excited conversation with our guests at various tables in the room about – what? You guessed it!!! At one table, a guest was quizzing the students about their baseball knowledge: hands down, they scored with every answer! Our guest was impressed, saying with a big smile: “I think you all know more about this than me!!!” At another table, one of our guests had the marvelous fortune to be going to the evening game: the high school students were thrilled for him, and more than a little envious! And of course, GIANTS gear has been even more evident than usual across the board—among guests, volunteers, staff. . . all manner and style of t-shirts, hats, jewelry, are the wardrobe of this wonderful San Francisco moment.

So, what does this have to do with serving people in need? Everything—it is a beautiful, living example of the climate of dignity and respect that St. Anthony’s believes in and tries to embody. It’s the nourishing kind of menu that our founder—Fr. Alfred Boedekker intended: nourishment for the body and for the spirit—the spirit of belonging, of inclusive community.

We are being tested however, on our commitment to our Franciscan values during this Play Off Season! We remain dedicated to welcoming all who come to us—even it they, ahem, might be fans of the “other” team!!!

Go GIANTS!!!

San Francisco Giants Pitcher and St. Anthony Foundation supporter Barry Zito stopped by St. Anthony’s today and took some time to volunteer serving trays at St. Anthony Dining Room.

Thanks again, Barry!

Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Frank Williams died last week at the age of 50 from a heart attack.

In his prime Williams appeared in 333 games in the majors. He was 24-14 and 3.00 ERA during the span of his career.

In the later part of his life Frank, a man suffering with the disease of alcoholism, was appearing in homeless shelters and detox centers across the the United States and Canada.

A sad reminder that not even our heroes are immune to homelessness.

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!