A Rainforest of Joy: Back-to-School 2025 at St. Anthony’s

August 12, 2025

Over two joyful August days, more than 500 children and their families stepped into St. Anthony’s—transformed into a rainforest-inspired oasis of joy and connection—for our 10th Annual Back-to-School celebration.

From the moment they arrived, moms, dads, and children were greeted with warmth, choice, and care. Parents and kids browsed a boutique-style setup, hand-picking backpacks filled with school supplies, new shoes, cozy jackets, and books to start the school year strong. This wasn’t just about shopping—it was about community and whole person care.

The vibrant rainforest theme, with colorful décor and multilingual book donations from Chronicle Books, came alive thanks to volunteers from Dolby, Axiom, KPMG, McKinsey, and more. The theme reflected what we’ve shared with the Tenderloin for over 75 years: growth, resilience, and deep roots of connection.

This year, we expanded our whole-person care approach by welcoming our Medical Clinic team, including a pediatric nurse, to offer on-site information and health support. Partners from Wu Yee Children’s Services and Bay Area Discovery Museum added resources that go beyond the classroom. Each child also received a professional portrait from the Family Album Project—a sweet keepsake to remember the day.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and community partners, Dolby, Family Giving Tree, Chronicle Books, GAP, Family Album Project, KPMG, OLLY, ThirdLove, Janie and Jack, Bombas, Wells Fargo, DocuSign, Pattern Energy, Hilton, FlySFO, and St. Anthony’s YPC. Your generosity and care ensure Tenderloin children begin the school year feeling seen and ready to succeed.

Thank you to every volunteer, donor, and team member who thoughtfully helped create a space where back-to-school means more than just supplies—it means hope for a bright future