The Heart and Soul Behind the Work: St. Anthony Foundation Celebrates 6,000 Volunteers Powering Its Mission on Volunteer Appreciation Day

MEDIA ALERT

Now more than ever, volunteers are needed to meet the growing need to deliver programs and services to San Franciscans in need

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 13, 2026) — As communities across the country mark Volunteer Appreciation Day on April 20, St. Anthony Foundation is recognizing the thousands of individuals who make its work possible every day and sharing the stories of the people behind one of San Francisco’s most vital community institutions.

For more than 75 years, St. Anthony Foundation has served the Tenderloin and surrounding neighborhoods, providing meals, healthcare, clothing, and support to those in need. That work is powered not only by staff and programs, but by a community of more than 6,000 volunteers each year who contribute over 55,000 hours of service and help serve more than 15,000 individuals annually.

“Volunteers are not just part of the model, they are fundamental to it,” said Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO of St. Anthony Foundation. “In every meal served, every patient cared for, and every person welcomed through our doors, there is a volunteer helping make that moment possible. They bring compassion, dignity, and humanity to this work and are the heart and soul of our community.”

In 2025 alone, St. Anthony’s served nearly 840,000 meals, more than 100,000 more than the year before. Its medical clinic welcomed over 16,000 guests, an increase of 3,000. Its Free Clothing Program distributed more than 271,000 articles of clothing to over 7,000 guests.

Behind each of these numbers is a growing need for volunteers to help deliver the work and mission of St. Anthony’s. As well, the numbers show how volunteers show up with purpose, coming from all walks of life, united by a shared commitment to service and community.

Brooke Barry, a UCSF neuroscientist, begins her mornings in the Dining Room before heading to work. As a child, she watched her father treat everyone at the shelter where he worked with dignity and respect, an example that has stayed with her. 

“This is the best way to start my week,” she said. “Sometimes it’s just that smile of recognition, that someone cares, that someone feels seen. It’s so important and such a key part of emotional health.” 

Barry Schmell, who volunteers through Gay For Good, has helped connect LGBTQ+ volunteers to St. Anthony’s, creating new pathways for engagement and service. “It’s important for me to give back to my community,” Schmell said. “I’ve been fortunate… make the world a better place, little by little.” 

Through programs like the Dining Room, Medical Clinic, and Free Clothing Program, volunteers help create an environment where guests feel respected, safe, and cared for. According to St. Anthony’s 2025 Dining Room Survey, 84 percent of guests report feeling respected and 86 percent feel safe, an experience shaped in large part by the presence and care of volunteers.

“Volunteers are critical to the success of our work at St. Anthony’s,” said Jaclyn Epter, Volunteer Services Coordinator. “We would not be able to serve more than 16,000 guests without their time, presence, and dedication. Our volunteers don’t just help with tasks, they help make St. Anthony’s the warm and familiar space that it is.” 

Volunteer Appreciation Day is a reminder that every day, volunteers are at the heart of St. Anthony’s mission, helping ensure that neighbors in need are met with dignity, care, and compassion. Today, more than ever, St. Anthony’s needs volunteers to help deliver programs and services to its guests.  Volunteer opportunities are available by visiting stanthonysf.org/volunteer.

About St. Anthony Foundation
In the spirit of Franciscan values, St. Anthony Foundation works to feed, heal, clothe, and lift the spirits of those in need, serving the San Francisco community for more than 75 years. Founded in 1950 by Father Alfred Boeddeker and located in the heart of the Tenderloin, St. Anthony’s has served more than 49 million meals and continues to provide essential services including free clothing, medical care, technology access, hygiene services, addiction recovery, and workforce development. To learn more or to volunteer, visit stanthonysf.org.

Media Contacts:
Kevin Herglotz, HPA Strategies| (415) 963-2601 | kherglotz@hpastrategies.com
Veronica Surrette-Fahey, St. Anthony Foundation | (617) 913-1324 | vsurrette-fahey@stanthonysf.org