St. Anthony Foundation Celebrates 75 Years of Service with New Book Tracing Its Legacy of Love and Resilience in San Francisco’s Tenderloin

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Media Contact:
Sally Haims | Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
(415) 254-5884 | SHaims@stanthonysf.org

Former Executive Director Barry Stenger to discuss his new book, For the Love of God: A Short History Of St. Anthony Foundation, November 22 at the Tenderloin Museum

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — October 2025 — In celebration of its 75th anniversary, St. Anthony Foundation will host a special book launch and author conversation on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Tenderloin Museum (398 Eddy Street, San Francisco). The event will feature Barry Stenger, former Executive Director and author of For the Love of God—a moving chronicle of one of San Francisco’s most enduring institutions of hope and hospitality.

The afternoon will include a welcome from Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO of St. Anthony Foundation, followed by a conversation with the author, audience Q&A, and book signing. Guests will include members of St. Anthony’s Board of Directors, Franciscan friars, staff, donors, volunteers, and community partners from across the Tenderloin and the greater Bay Area.

A Story Rooted in Encounter, Faith, and Community
Drawing from oral histories, archival materials, and decades of personal experience, For the Love of God traces how a simple Franciscan vision—rooted in love, faith, and service—grew into one of San Francisco’s most trusted anchors of compassion.

From its beginnings in 1950, when Father Alfred Boeddeker, OFM opened the doors of St. Anthony’s Dining Room with a revolutionary idea—serve everyone with dignity, no preaching, no questions asked—the book explores how that spirit of encounter continues to shape the Foundation today.

“St. Anthony’s has always been more than a place that meets needs—it’s a community of encounter,” said Barry Stenger, former Executive Director. “We encounter one another not as strangers but as neighbors. That sense of belonging and respect is what sustains this work, 75 years strong.”

A Living Legacy of Resilience
Stenger’s book is both history and meditation. With the heart of a Franciscan and the mind of a scholar, he reflects on what it means for an organization to embody love through structure—to give “institutional expression,” as he writes to the enduring call to serve our neighbors in need.

“Institutions can be living expressions of compassion,” Stenger notes. “At their best, they make love tangible—something that starts with a face-to-face encounter but then continues as an organization serves generation after generation.”

As San Francisco continues to grapple with poverty, addiction, and displacement, For the Love of God stands as a timely reminder of what compassion looks like when it takes root and endures.

In Giving, We Receive
“Barry’s book is a reflection of our Franciscan spirit,” said Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO of St. Anthony Foundation. “It captures what our founder, Father Alfred, understood so well—that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and welcomed with respect. This ‘culture of encounter’ is what continues to transform lives – guests, donors, staff, and volunteers alike — in the Tenderloin and beyond.”

A Season of Hope and Gratitude
The launch coincides with St. Anthony’s annual Season of Hope, when San Franciscans are invited to come together to feed, heal, shelter, clothe, and lift the spirits of those in need. As the city prepares for colder months, the Foundation continues to rely on the generosity of volunteers and primarily private donors whose kindness fuels its mission.

“In challenging times, kindness and connection are what bring renewal,” added Dr. Kwan. “We’re deeply grateful to everyone who serves with us, embodying the spirit of St. Francis in caring for our neighbors.”

Event Details

What: Book Discussion and Signing — For the Love of God: A Short History of St. Anthony Foundation
When: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Where: Tenderloin Museum, 398 Eddy Street, San Francisco
Who: Featuring Author Barry Stenger with welcome remarks by Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO, St. Anthony Foundation
Admission: Free; seating is limited. RSVP here.
Purchase the book here: https://a.co/d/0Wn6mSs

About St. Anthony Foundation
Located in the heart of the Tenderloin, St. Anthony Foundation is one of the largest, primarily privately funded, whole-person care providers in San Francisco, and a place of great love. The foundation offers essential services, health care, and employment informed by Franciscan values and evidence-based best practices for more than 10,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction annually. Their goal is to build trust over time with individuals and to provide each person with the support and tools to sustainably exit homelessness. St. Anthony’s offers a welcoming healing community, a pathway to stability, and a living blueprint for broader change.

Learn more, donate, or sign up to volunteer at www.stanthonysf.org.l difference: Donate. Volunteer.