ST. ANTHONY DINING ROOM
Nurturing the Blessings Great and Small

Daniel and daughter Jada, frequent guests of St. Anthony Dining Room, appreciate the nourishment and support they receive from St. Anthony's.

The first time Daniel came to San Francisco, he knew it was a city he wanted to live in. He recalls being enraptured by the city's dramatic geography while crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, even before taking in the jewel-like cityscape from a top floor room at the Marriott.

"When I made this decision back in ‘89, I was financially comfortable, so I was making a decision based on that mentality," he notes.

Seven years and a divorce later, Daniel and his 2 year old daughter, Jada, are living in a different San Francisco than the one he imagined—in a small apartment in San Francisco's Tenderloin district.

"I didn't know what to expect when I came here…I didn't expect to get so much love in such a highly populated community. Normally places like this you get very little love, but the food, and people coming from all directions, the community, it's been very good for me."

As Daniel and Jada walk down the street, their path is lined with waves and smiles. As they pass St. Boniface Church, a woman darts out of the church to catch their attention. She waves enthusiastically to Jada, sitting atop her father's shoulders, as she yells "Hey pretty baby! Hey pretty girl!" "Bye bye!" Jada coos.

Daniel is currently his daughter's primary caregiver. Although he and his wife are no longer together, both parents are invested in providing good care for their daughter—a fact that Daniel is appreciative of.

"While we were waiting for my daughter's insurance to be taken care of, (St. Anthony's Free Medical Clinic) provided A-class service for her. Even still to this day they send us communications asking about how she is doing."

An articulate, soft-spoken, yet impassioned man in his late 30s, Daniel occasionally punctuates his sentences with thoughtful pauses and profound reflections. "You know my dad was an ambassador to the Vatican, have you heard of the Order of Malta?" he says, looking up quickly as though to be both reassuring and reassured. He opens his wallet and flips through photographs of his family—his elegantly suited father, his stunningly beautiful mother, and his quietly handsome brother who died of heart failure at twenty-six years.

Daniel and his daughter eat at St. Anthony Dining Room once or twice a week, both to stretch their budget, as well as to feel the sense of love and community that permeates the dining room. His daughter, a spry and coquettish 2 year old, is both acrobat and diplomat, as she repeatedly climbs and cascades over her father's shoulders while offering a "Hi!" and "Bye bye!" to guests and other members of the Dining Room family.

St. Anthony Dining Room serves more than 2,600 meals each day to poor and struggling San Franciscans. With 150,000 people in San Francisco living below 150% of the poverty line, and 14% of children under the age of 18 living below poverty level, St. Anthony's acts as a safety net for many whose monthly income isn't sufficient to cover rent, medical needs, and groceries.

"I'm glad that I got to see this side of San Francisco, because I have an even deeper appreciation for this beautiful city and the really truly beautiful work of St. Anthony's. St. Anthony's really helps out people that no one will help."

As Jada busies herself playing with her father's backpack, he watches her while his voice drops reflectively.

"Hunger isn't only what brings me back these days (to St. Anthony's Dining Room), it's the love I receive, and I do receive love there. Its amazing, but it has its way of uplifting you."

Share your gifts with your homeless neighbors — give to St. Anthony Foundation . Call (415) 241-2600 or click here to learn more.

If you would like to be added to the St. Anthony Spirit newsletter mailing list, please call (415) 592-2738 or e-mail info@stanthonysf.org.

Top of page