Better Together: Nourishing Community on the Golden Gate Greenway

June 18, 2025

In the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, food insecurity is a daily reality. Grocery stores are scarce. Many residents live in single-room occupancies without kitchens. And for neighbors on fixed incomes, fresh produce can be out of reach. That’s where partnership makes all the difference.

Each month, the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and St. Anthony Foundation come together on the Golden Gate Greenway to host a supplemental food distribution just outside St. Anthony’s Dining Room. It is a collaboration rooted in trust, shared mission, and the belief that everyone deserves access to seasonal food and a community that cares.

“We provide fresh produce and pantry staples that power their meals,” said Mei Li, Senior Supplemental Food Program Distributer for the Food Bank. “St. Anthony’s brings compassion and direct service to people in the Tenderloin every day, making our food accessible to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.”

Grounded in Partnership, Growing in Community
The roots of the Supplemental Food Program (SFP) stretch back to 1969. Originally created to help pregnant women and their children, it now ensures low-income seniors—those 60 and older—receive nutritious USDA Foods each month. The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank operates this program, delivering quality food boxes to our neighbors who need them most.

When COVID-19 struck, the Food Bank stepped up by launching Pop-Up Pantries to meet the growing hunger crisis. These pop-ups, which were initially meant to be temporary, became a lifeline for thousands of households over the last five years. But with pandemic-era funding ending, all Pop-Up Pantries are set to close by June.

That’s why we’re so grateful to see the Food Bank continue to fill the gap right here in the Tenderloin through the SFP program. Their partnership with St. Anthony’s has been vital—ensuring that even as programs shift and evolve, our community’s most vulnerable neighbors still have access to healthy food and a place to feel seen and supported.

That changed in early 2025, when the Food Bank moved its Tenderloin site to the Golden Gate Greenway, a community hub activated and managed by St. Anthony’s. From day one, the shift was tangible.

“Our first distribution at the Greenway brought over 550 people,” Yu said. “Some were neighbors who didn’t even know we were back. Others had stopped coming during the pandemic and were so relieved to reconnect.”

Safety on the Greenway
The Golden Gate Greenway is more than just a car-lite block— it is a space reimagined for community care. On distribution days, St. Anthony’s Community Safety Services (CSS) team helps direct foot traffic, de-escalate tense situations, and provide a calm, welcoming presence for all.

That feeling of safety is intentional. St. Anthony’s CSS team is present at every distribution, trained in de-escalation and grounded in lived experience. More than 30 percent of St. Anthony’s staff have experienced homelessness, recovery or poverty themselves — offering unique perspective and compassion in their work.

“Instead of our team handling disruptions alone, we know we have support,” Yu said. “St. Anthony’s staff are approachable, helpful and ready to jump in whenever we need a hand — even opening a canopy or guiding someone on where to line up.”

Meeting People Where They Are
Food distribution in urban areas comes with complex challenges: limited storage, staffing constraints and reaching people where they live. That is where collaboration makes the difference.

“One major challenge is reaching people where they are, especially in dense urban areas like the Tenderloin, where storage and distribution space is limited,” said Angie Chen, Senior Intake and Enrollment Specialist for the Food Bank. “That’s where partners like St. Anthony’s are critical. They have the deep community ties and the space to distribute our food effectively and respectfully.”

And when organizations partner effectively, the impact multiplies. “No single organization can meet the full scope of need alone,” she added. “By partnering across the city, we create a network of support that’s stronger and more resilient.”

More Than a Meal
While the Food Bank brings the food, St. Anthony’s provides the space — and a welcoming environment where neighbors can gather with dignity. The Supplemental Food Program now complements our daily breakfast and lunch service, helping fill the nutritional gaps that exist between meals.

“Every box of food is about more than just calories,” said Yu of the Food Bank. “It’s about equity. It’s about dignity. It’s about making sure people know they matter.”

That care shows up every distribution day: seniors sharing stories over coffee, volunteers helping carry groceries home, and staff checking in with familiar faces. “We depend on the SFP. As seniors, we don’t make money, and receiving these food boxes helps a lot,” said Ms. Mui, a longtime participant in the program. Her words reflect the reality for many in our neighborhood — and the impact of meeting that need with compassion and consistency.

Looking Ahead: Building a Stronger Safety Net

As the city shifts away from emergency COVID-era pop-up pantries, efforts like the SFP and weekly Senior Farmers Market at St. Anthony’s are helping maintain vital access to fresh food in the Tenderloin. Held every Thursday, the market creates opportunities for neighbors to gather, pick up produce, and connect with volunteers and services in a welcoming space.

“Truly listening to the people who live here — understanding their needs, their strengths, and their vision for their neighborhood — is key,” said Zoe Chen, an Intake Specialist-Distribution Assistant for the Food Bank. “From there, it’s about showing up consistently, partnering with trusted organizations like St. Anthony’s, and investing in resources that empower the community from within.”

You can nourish your neighbors and strengthen community—right here in the Tenderloin. Whether it’s a bag of groceries, a warm meal, or a simple moment of connection, your support helps make it possible. Consider making a gift to St. Anthony’s or SF-Marin Food Bank today.