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New Book Tells the Story of St. Anthony’s—A Legacy of Hope, Heart, and Resilience
October 20, 2025
In celebration of St. Anthony’s 75th anniversary, a new book by former Executive Director Barry Stenger tells the compelling story of one of San Francisco’s most enduring institutions. For the Love of God draws from personal recollections, photographs, and archives to trace the organization’s transformation through decades of profound change. It captures how a Franciscan vision—rooted in love, faith, and service—grew into a resilient nonprofit shaped by generations of friars, dedicated staff, volunteers, and the wider community. Together, they have built and sustained a legacy that continues to meet the needs of San Francisco’s most vulnerable, right in the heart of the Tenderloin. For the Love of God is available on Amazon. Read excerpt below.
Q & A with author Barry Stenger
We asked Barry what inspired him to write the book and what stood out most for him during the process. Here’s what he had to say.
Q: What inspired you to write For the Love of God?
Barry: After spending many years as Executive Director, I wanted to capture the rich history of St. Anthony’s—not just the facts, but the stories of the people who have made it what it is. This book is a way to honor their dedication and the enduring spirit of compassion that really drives the organization.
Given how St. Anthony’s is held in the hearts of so many, I wanted the story to be recalled more formally and accurately. The archives we had were originally in a vault in one of the older buildings—I think it was a place for film storage. After it was moved to the new building, the real work of organizing it, including oral histories and memories, truly began. My Franciscan and academic background gave me the perspective to understand the unique origin and consistent values that are such a part of the St. Anthony’s history.
Q: Did any particular themes emerge as you worked on the book?
Barry: Absolutely. One clear theme was resilience—how St. Anthony’s has adapted and grown through decades of change, always staying true to its core mission of service but evolving through the times— from a community of mostly volunteers in the 50s, to a more professionalized nonprofit and on to 75 years of service. Fr. Alfred Boeddeker’s vision of serving a meal in a dignified, dining room setting to those in need—no questions asked, no preaching; it was revolutionary at the time. The idea of meeting people where they are; that care for the person without judgement is as strong today as it was in the beginning.
Another strong theme is community and the depth of love people have for St. Anthony’s. The deep connections between the friars, the staff, volunteers, the donors, and the guests—it’s an incredibly strong, enduring bond.
Q: Was there anything that surprised you during the research and writing?
Barry: The journey of St. Anthony’s showed a remarkable commitment to the mission, even during the most difficult times. By the 80s, St. Anthony’s had evolved into a large, complex organization, and there came a time to bring in leadership that could steer it into the future. Fr. Alfred was up in years; there was a lot at stake. The Franciscan friars understood the need but it was a sensitive moment. They created the right processes and culture for a loving but effective transition of leadership that kept Fr. Alfred’s vision alive through building a more practical, professional organization.
Q. What pained you to leave out?
Barry: Personalities. There are so many amazing people that populate the history of this organization; it was difficult to not include many of the folks I interviewed. In the book, I added a few sidebars highlighting some of those people.
Also, I regretted not exploring some of the more of analytical stuff—the organizational sociology underlying so much of the developments at St. Anthony Foundation. “Institutions” are often a dirty word among those committed to personalism and the call to reach out to the poor. The real gift of St. Anthony’s is that it gives institutional expression to what is often the fuzzy, touchy-feely sentiments that so many folks use to characterize the vision of St. Francis. For that vision to remain powerful it must find institutional expression beyond the good intentions of individuals; St. Anthony’s does that.
Q. Can you share one of your favorite parts of the book?
Barry: This is an excerpt from the beginning of the book, For the Love of God. I hope readers enjoy it.
Special Meet the Author and Book Signing Event
Save the date: November 22, 2025
Tenderloin Museum, San Francisco, CA
RSVP here.
