St. Anthony Foundation Serves over 2,200 Free Christmas Meals, Continuing a 75-Year Tradition of Welcome in the Tenderloin

MEDIA ALERT

Media Contact:
Veronica Surrette-Fahey | Marketing & Communications Manager 
(617) 913-1324 | vsurrette-fahey@stanthonysf.org 

As need persists through the holidays, St. Anthony’s remains a steady place of nourishment, dignity, and belonging 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — December 2025 — On our 75th Christmas serving meals to the community, St. Anthony Foundation will once again welcome neighbors from across San Francisco, serving more than 2,200 free meals with care. 

Rooted in the Tenderloin for 75 years, St. Anthony’s has long believed that a meal is never just food. It is a moment of connection and care — especially on a day when many other resources are closed and need is heightened. Founded in 1950 by Fr. Alfred Boeddeker, St. Anthony Foundation has served more than 49 million meals, walking alongside neighbors with compassion and trust. Christmas Day remains one of the organization’s most meaningful services of the year. “The holidays remind us that belonging is a basic human need,” said Dr. Larry Kwan, Chief Executive Officer of St. Anthony Foundation. “On Christmas Day, we are here not only to serve a meal, but to offer accompaniment and a place where every neighbor is welcomed exactly as they are.” 

WHAT 
St. Anthony’s Christmas Day Meal Service 
Serving more than 2,200 festive holiday meals, prepared with care and served in community.  

• 1,760 pieces of chicken kalbi, featuring chicken drumsticks marinated in a Korean-inspired sauce 1,760 pieces of chicken kalbi, featuring chicken drumsticks marinated in a Korean-inspired sauce 
• 150 pounds of cilantro-lime rice 
• 1,800 vegetable flatbreads 
• 1,800 assorted house-made cookies, topped with M&M’s, mini marshmallows, chocolate, and caramel 
• 200 pounds of fresh vegetables 

WHO 

• Thousands of neighbors receiving meals  
• Volunteers, including multigenerational families, serving alongside them  
• St. Anthony Foundation culinary & Dining Room teams  

Interviews available: Laura Flannigan, Chief Operating Officer, and St. Anthony Foundation leadership and volunteers (as available)  

WHEN 
Thursday, December 25, 2025 
Christmas Meal service: 10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (over 2,200 meals served)  
Doors open 7:00 a.m. for coffee & pastries (approximately 400 pastries served) 

WHERE 
St. Anthony Foundation Dining Room 
121 Golden Gate Ave. 
San Francisco, CA 94102 
 
WHY 
The holidays can intensify hunger and isolation, especially as food assistance declines and economic pressures rise. St. Anthony’s remains a steady, welcoming presence — ensuring care is available not just on Christmas, but every day of the year. 

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES / VISUALS 

• Neighbors enjoying Christmas meals 
• Volunteers serving side by side 
• Festive, welcoming Dining Room atmosphere 

Media are respectfully asked not to film or photograph guests’ faces without permission. 

HOW TO HELP 
Volunteer and donation support is especially critical in the weeks following the holidays, when attention wanes but need remains. Learn more at stanthonysf.org. 

About St. Anthony Foundation 
For 75 years, St. Anthony Foundation has stood in solidarity with — and walked alongside — neighbors experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction, providing meals, healthcare, clothing, recovery, job training, and community rooted in Franciscan values and a belief in the dignity of every person.