Pennies, Purpose and Community: Penny Pitch 2026 Brings San Francisco Together for St. Anthony’s  

May 12, 2026

The 48th Annual Penny Pitch brought joy, competition, and community spirit to North Beach on May 8, as more than 60 teams and hundreds of supporters gathered on Stockton Street to raise over $200,000 for St. Anthony Foundation’s whole-person care programs. What began nearly five decades ago as a friendly neighborhood competition has become one of San Francisco’s most beloved traditions, proving once again that small change can make a meaningful difference. 

Throughout the day, neighbors, civic leaders, local businesses, longtime supporters, volunteers, and first-time participants came together in support of St. Anthony’s mission to walk with neighbors in need through meals, medical care, clothing, recovery, hygiene services, workforce support, and more. The event reflected the spirit at the heart of St. Anthony’s: community as a source of healing, connection, and renewal. 

“Penny Pitch is one of my favorite days of the year,” said St. Anthony Foundation CEO Dr. Larry Kwan. “It’s a powerful reminder of San Franciscans showing up for one another and how joy, generosity, and community can come together to support our neighbors in meaningful ways.” 

This year’s tournament featured spirited bracket-style competition, creative costumes, and plenty of North Beach energy. Teams faced off in a single-elimination tournament inspired by March Madness, with the beloved “Last Chance Pitch-In” round giving eliminated teams one more opportunity to fight their way back into the competition. 

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Mayor Daniel Lurie were among the civic leaders who joined the celebration, underscoring Penny Pitch’s place as a longstanding San Francisco tradition. The event officially began with a ceremonial first pitch from San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispin and San Francisco Police Department Capt. Matt Sullivan. State Sen. Scott Wiener and Supervisors Bilal Mahmood and Connie Chan were also among those in attendance, showing their support for St. Anthony’s and the Tenderloin community. 

“We have to continue to invest in organizations like St. Anthony’s,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Generation after generation it has looked out for the people of San Francisco; it’s an honor to be with you all and keep doing the little things for all the people of this city.” 

Congratulations to all of the 2026 winners: 

• Ed Moose Trophy, 1st Place: Fugazi Fingers, Club Fugazi 
• 2nd Place: Haute Sauce, captained by Anne Wintroub 
• Best Team Name: We Ain’t Just Pretty Pitches, captained by Michael Barnacle of Corcoran Icon Properties 
• Best Team Costume: Pennies from Heaven, captained by Tara Donohue 
• Best Team Spirit: BiRite Quacks & Stacks and Ducks & Bucks, BiRite Food Service Distributors 

St. Anthony’s extends heartfelt gratitude to Penny Pitch Co-Chairs Meagan Levitan and Dale Carlson for their leadership, care, and dedication in bringing this year’s event to life. We are also deeply thankful for the incredible committee members whose time, creativity, and commitment helped make the day possible: 

Kathleen McDonough, Matthew Goudeau, John Duggan, Joey Toboni, Rita O’Hara, Cammy Blackstone, Tim Szarnicki, Greg Suhr, Jim Sangiacomo, Gina Nibbi, Elena Pearse Britton, Paul Barbagaleta, and Aaron Boyd. 

We are equally grateful to the generous sponsors whose support sustains Penny Pitch and the work of St. Anthony’s throughout the year, including: 

Waymo, Gordon Clifford Properties, Dolby Laboratories, KPMG, San Francisco Giants, Deloitte, Turner Construction Company, Nibbi Brothers General Contractors, Boston Properties (BXP), San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, PlayStudios, Trillium Asset Management, Delta Dental, Salesian Boys’ & Girls’ Club, San Francisco Police Officers Association, The Toboni Group, BiRite Foodservice Distributors, Skyline Construction, Boudin, Collabry, March Capital Management, O’Shea Foundation, Original Joe’s, San Francisco Association of Realtors, AT&T, Cobb’s Comedy Club, Recology, San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798, Graffeo Coffee, Meagan Levitan and Dale Carlson, Aaron Boyd, David Ogburn, Dr. Keith Humphreys, Joe and Sheri Atteridge, PG&E, Tara Donohue, Ann Miller, Mary & Michael Wolfe, EverBank, Jim and Gerry Sangiacomo, Hoenigman Family Foundation, Comcast, Turner & Townsend, Jen Gennai, Prado 

For more than 75 years, St. Anthony’s has remained rooted in the Tenderloin, offering care grounded in Franciscan values, trust, and accompaniment. Penny Pitch may last one afternoon, but the work it supports continues every day of the year. 

Each meal served, medical visit provided, shower offered, article of clothing distributed, and moment of welcome begins with a community willing to show up for its neighbors. That spirit of generosity is what keeps St. Anthony’s doors open 365 days a year. 

Join in that generosity and help sustain whole-person care for San Franciscans in need. Make a gift or volunteer today.