St. Anthony Foundation Helps 550 Children Start the School Year with Annual Back-to-School Shopping Experience

MEDIA ALERT
St. Anthony Foundation will host its annual Back-to-School event, transforming into a personal shopping experience for 550 children from San Francisco families.

WHAT:
On Thursday August 6 and Friday August 7, St. Anthony Foundation will host its annual Back-to-School event. 

More than a school supply giveaway, the event allows children to shop alongside their parents, choosing high-quality clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies before the first day of school.   

While families shop, children can enjoy hands-on educational activities with the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Families attending on Aug. 6 will also receive complimentary family portraits from Family Album Project. 

WHO:

• Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO 
• Jennifer Byrne, Free Clothing Program Manager 
• Sam Brock, Hygiene Service Sr. Manager 
• Approximately 550 pre-registered children and their families 
• St. Anthony Foundation staff and volunteers 
• Bay Area Discovery Museum 
• Dolby, Family Giving Tree, Chronicle Books, Gap, Wells Fargo, KPMG and other sponsors   

WHEN + WHERE:
Thursday, Aug. 6 and Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

St. Anthony Foundation 
150 Golden Gate Ave. 
San Francisco, CA 94102 

WHY:
As the Bay Area continues to face an affordability crisis, many families are forced to make difficult choices before the first day of school. The National Retail Federation estimates families will spend an average of $864 on back-to-school shopping this year, making basic school essentials increasingly out of reach for many households. 

St. Anthony Foundation’s annual Back-to-School shopping experience helps remove those financial barriers by welcoming 550 children to shop for new clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. By giving children the opportunity to choose the items that fit their personalities and needs, the event helps ensure every student can begin the school year prepared to learn alongside their classmates. 

One of those caregivers is Earnestine, a single mother who once relied on St. Anthony’s while raising her four daughters and now returns to shop for her grandchildren. 

“This back-to-school giveaway is a blessing,” Earnestine said. “It feels good knowing these kids are starting the year with everything they need, ready and excited for the first day of school.” 

CONTACT:
Lisa Goodfriend, (415) 505 8631, lgoodfriend@stanthonysf.org 
Veronica Surrette-Fahey, (617) 913-1324, vsurrette-fahey@stanthonysf.org