Tony’s Story: A Place That Stays with You 

April 1, 2026

On a busy morning in the Dining Room, Tony moves with quiet ease—clearing trays, greeting guests, making sure no one leaves without a meal. He’s been volunteering at St. Anthony’s for more than 20 years. 

But his connection to this place began long before that. 

Tony first came to St. Anthony’s as a child, after immigrating to San Francisco from the Philippines with his family. His memories come in fragments: sitting beside his mom and sister, waiting as food appeared at the table. A slice of cake wrapped carefully in a napkin. A piece of fruit tucked into his pocket for later, just in case. 

Years later, that early experience still shapes how he shows up. When Tony sees children in the Dining Room now, he feels it immediately. He recognizes something familiar in them, what it’s like to need a meal and how much it matters to find one here. 

St. Anthony’s became part of his life again decades later, through his daughter. When she was in high school, her class chose to volunteer in the Dining Room. Tony joined her for what he thought would be a one-time experience. Instead, it became a monthly routine they shared until she left for college. 

He never stopped coming. 

Even while building a long career in IT and Customer Service at Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Tony returned month after month. After retiring, he began volunteering more regularly, weaving his time at St. Anthony’s into a new rhythm of life—one that now also includes caring for his four granddaughters. 

These days, he comes in when he can, fitting his volunteer shifts around school schedules, family time, and the pace of retirement. Still, the reason he returns remains steady. 

For Tony, it comes down to something simple: making sure people have enough to eat. 

In the Dining Room, that work is hands-on and ever-changing. Some days he’s serving meals, other days bussing tables or helping behind the counter. What matters most is being part of a space where people are welcomed and cared for without question. 

Over time, he’s come to recognize many of the guests who walk through the doors. There’s a sense of familiarity in the room—faces he knows, routines that repeat, small moments of connection that build over time. When someone hasn’t been around for a while, he notices. When he sees them again, he checks in. 

Tony also understands that what happens at St. Anthony’s goes far beyond a meal. Over the years, he’s seen how services like clothing, hygiene, and technology support open additional doors for guests. What may start with a plate of food can become something more—a step toward stability, connection, and care. 

For those considering volunteering, his message is simple. There is always a way to help. 

Tony doesn’t seek attention for the time he’s given here. In fact, he describes himself as a private person. But his commitment speaks for itself—returning week after week, year after year, to the same place that once welcomed him as a child. 

He knows firsthand what it means to walk through these doors and now, he helps hold them open for others. 

For more than 75 years, volunteers have helped bring St. Anthony’s mission to life—serving meals, offering care, and walking alongside neighbors as they access the support they need. 

Join volunteers like Tony and step into this work. Your presence makes a difference.