St Anthony Foundation

Hey are you out on parole??? Don’t have a High School education? Do you like to mistreat and abuse people? St. Anthony has an opening for you in their «Security» team. Wink wink, nod, nod. Just came down the elevator yesterday and saw a guy lying face down and handcuffed while security staff dragged him across the floor into another room for further interrogation. I stood silently to observe and was told to move it along. When I told them they were using excessive force they said I was 86’ed for the day.

come here for the free lunch im a fan its okey place

I’ve been donating at St Anthony’s for years now, but always at the old donation center over on Mission. So yesterday was my first visit to the Foundation on Golden Gate. And I was blown away by the energy levels in the lobby. The guys coordinating everything in the lobby were so kind and gracious. «How are you today, Ma’m?» «How can we help you, Ma’m?» «What is your name, Ma’m?» «Well, it’s very nice to meet you Miss Cathy». They were just great and they were so BIG and Handsome. I expect they need the really smart powerful guys there from time to time!
Thank you so much for a great experience! I’ll be back soon.
Cathy Smith
Millbrae

St. Anthony’s is truly a place where people from all walks of life are connected on a daily basis. Whether you are looking to give back to the San Francisco community by donating your time/​skills/​money/​etc., or are looking for a hot meal, housing assistance and even a friendly smile, you will find what you need at St. Anthony’s. It’s a wonderful place where people are treated with dignity and respect, bringing the San Francisco community together.

What a great feeling to be able to help out! St. Anthony’s is an amazing charity. I’ve volunteered here several times and to be able to give my time to help out others in our community is a wonderful feeling and St. Anthony’s provides you with that opportunity. Its not just for the homeless community but you’ll find that there are people who are just down on their luck and need help. You’ll never know if you will need an organization like St. Anthony’s one day. I pray not, but it’s nice to know that if you needed help, it’s there.

The Asian Granny Mafia
Among the many interesting communities that are routinely ignored by pretty much everybody («the media,» politicians, newcomers) is the Asian Granny Mafia that runs the Tenderloin/​Mid-​Market area. Most of these ladies are in their 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s. They are always coherent, neat, and organized. Very few use walkers, or exhibit any other health problems. And NOBODY messes with them; they practice Tai Chi while you’re still sleeping off that hangover.
Some eat their meals and leave; others pack up containers, usually vegetables and rice. I have never seen them drink the «juice,» or eat bread; unwanted fruit seems to be the prime objective. They move quickly and efficiently through the dining room, and then they are gone. Sometimes this fruit is sold later on street corners, along with other items from the various free-​food programs; primarily packaged goods that are not a part of their diets. Which is why they live so long.
«One dollar!» «One dollar!» is the only English necessary, although most of them can communicate perfectly well in English when necessary. Most of their customers would rather pay one dollar on the black market than five-​dollars at the corner store for that box of cereal, or bag of rice, or bottle of apple juice. Every now and again the police roust the Grannies; make them move from wherever they are to a block or so away. Every now and again some misinformed individual will criticize the Grannies for «gaming the system.»
Au contraire, mon ami; these ladies are a prime example of the entrepreneurial spirit at work. They are taking what would otherwise be wasted and utilizing it, recycling, if you will. Unfortunately, they are about the only example of neighborhood economic activity in the Tenderloin/​Mid-​Market area. Apart from a bunch of ugly, over-​priced, shoddy high-​rise apartment buildings and acres of vacant commercial space on and near Market Street, the much hyped economic renaissance is AWOL. Gaming the system? No, that would be many of our business and political leaders…

I lost my job a year ago and unfortunately I couldn’t find another one yet. I went for the first time to pick up clothes at St. Anthony’s 2 months ago. The clothes are very cheap and I couldn’t find more than 2 T-​shirts for my size (big). Today I went again and the same story (cheap clothes, small sizes), however I saw one person asking the manager for special clothes (big sizes I guess or better quality). I suspect that place runs in favoritism because neither time I was there it was announced to everybody that you can ask for special clothes. There is not any notice posted about it. Why??? Why only some people get some nicer clothes?. The clothes are very cheap. It seems that the worst goes for the clients and the best simply is stolen or lost or something happens.

volunteering for serve a meal is great. people in general are very nice. except you don’t get any breaks from 9:15 — 1:45 pm. no toilet break (or upon request). lunch time is random upon the supervisor’s discretion. dont know what to expect. last time i had a bad stomache because passed my normal lunchtime

St. Anthony’s is an amazing charity. I have been volunteering with their free clothing program every since I have moved to San Francisco and every day I feel like I’ve helped accomplish something bigger than myself.
The staff are passionate and professional, and are always welcoming volunteers with sincere appreciation. The work they do is solid and effective. They know their clients by name and every person walking into the ‘clothing store’ is treated with respect and dignity.
I love being a part of this organization and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to give back to the community!

Major props goes out to the people who run this place; volunteers, people who donate… everyone involved. You guys rock!
I was going to be in the area donating blankets to another organization and wanted to also donate food to another non profit organization. Did some research, and found out that St. Anthony was doing a curbside donation drive. They had a specific list of items they wanted to put in gift bags they were handing out to people attending their Xmas dinner… how cool!
They made the process sooo easy! They had the section in front of their building blocked off so you could park and volunteers ready to unload your car. The process was quick, and the volunteers were amazing… So friendly, helpful, and thankful.
Looking forward to donating more and volunteering with them in the future!

I was introduced to St. Anthony when I was attending USF. This was the time when their dinning hall was across the street and much, much smaller than the new one today. We were bused here from the campus to help out ease the traffic away from the regular volunteers. My job: I was their «hot chocolate boy.»
Hard to imagine how time flies and how St. Anthony have grown. It feels like it was only yesterday when I remember seeing hundreds of people line up by 4PM for their dinner serving. It humbled me whenever I came here. I learned so much from them. I learned to value the meaning of «NOW» (Live for today) because you can’t see tomorrow and you can’t go back!
Thank you St. Anthony for giving me this opportunity to be a part of your awesome organization.

I would give this foundation 100 stars if I can. It a miracle foundation in the heart of San Francisco. Places like this could always use volunteers and donations — so if you want to humble yourself and give something back to those in need go here. Of course there are other foundations in the City that can use your help, but this one just means something to me.

What a wonderful organization that doe so much good. My Co. has worked with St. Anthony’s Foundation and we are truly fortunate to have such an actively diverse community organization in the city of S.F.

Today was our first trial shift serving lunch at St. Anthony Dining Room (my 12-​year-​old son and me). We both left feeling blessed and happy to have had the opportunity to help those who came in for a meal. It was a little uncertain what to expect from the patrons as we know it might be a little dicey walking through the Tenderloin. But after today, we see that the patrons are just like us, only down on their luck and needing a little help with a meal and just getting by day to day. Hey, it could happen to anyone. It could definitely happen to my family judging from some recent happenings with our financial situation (no lie).
After our shift, as I was talking to one of the staff members, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I thought it was the coordinator and turned around. It was a middle-​aged woman, and she just wanted to say thank you. That was a really nice feeling that we were able to help someone who needed a hot meal.
We were told that since it was early in the month, it would not be that busy. By that, they meant they would only serve 2200 people instead of 2500 – 2600! Can you believe those numbers? I could not. The people did not stop coming. It seemed constant and endless — the numbers of people that kept on entering the building. And even if someone came after the last call (1:35 p.m.), they were not turned away. The staff graciously let them in to receive a meal.
The staff and the volunteers there were wonderful. Most everyone was very friendly and tried to get to know one another. There was such a vast age range — from 7^th graders to college-​aged kids to middle-​aged to seniors! We met a long-​time volunteer who had been volunteering for 17 years! She pointed out different folks in the dining room who had been helping 20 years and who lived as far as Modesto and Walnut Creek. Talk about commitment!
We met others who were going through the rehab program (could be from drug or alcohol addiction), etc. and part of the program was working at St. Anthony for a certain number of months as a stepping stone towards getting back on their feet.
All in all, we had a very positive experience. I highly recommend St. Anthony for a volunteer experience or if you are going through hard times and need to be fed. We will be back to volunteer once a month, and I am already looking forward to it!

I am so glad my friend pushed me to volunteer at St. Anthony’s today. I helped serve food, bus tables, fill up juice, etc. and had a blast doing it.
The staff is particularly friendly and welcoming and the patrons are great. These are people no one (including me) pays attention to on the street, but helping them out really opened my eyes. They are so grateful and clearly starving for social contact. I can’t tell you how invigorating it was helping someone other than myself for once.
The whole operation is a well-​oiled machine and extremely efficient, which makes it easier on everyone. I will definitely be back regularly!

Started off my new year right, helping those in need. a bit skeptical because its right in the heart of the Tenderloin, SF. But me being an SF local. WHY NOT!
I loved the people, the staff, the volunteers etc. being there with family to help those less fortunate. is truly a blessing to have seen and met such wonderful people with their own stories. Life. it’s what happens.
I plan to give back more because St. Anthony’s has opened my eyes and my heart.
AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!! EVERYONE SHOULD MAKE TIME TO GIVE BACK!

I had fun volunteering today at St. Anthony’s. We helped give out groceries to low income folks. They had a very easy to learn and efficient distribution system and everyone today had positive energy. When I showed up today, everything was bagged and ready to go. Their facility looked really clean and organized and it looks like they are a well run organization.
I would definitely come back to participate in more volunteer opportunities. I think this experience was worth getting up at six am on a weekend. I’m looking forward to volunteering at their soup kitchen in the near future. My friend said that he had lots of fun helping out give meals and they served so many lunches in such a short period of time.

I was looking for a place to donate clothes and had walked by St. Anthony’s before and was debating between St. Anthony’s and Goodwill. I went with St. Anthony’s as they weren’t going to sell the clothes I donate. Goodwill does great work but I wanted my donated clothes to go to people in the Tenderloin especially as the winter sets in. Donated a good amount of clothes and jackets. St Anthony’s made it easy to donate as I could drive up and volunteers come out to take your clothes. Great job, St. Anthony’s. Taking you for helping the needy. Drop off is in the Tenderloin on Golden Gate which is one-​way.

Anthony Bourdain once said «Food is an event»
So last night I came home, looked in my refrigerator and saw nothing that appealed to me. I then walk out my front door and head to Mollie Stone’s, I pick up a salmon filet $ 18.50, make my way to the salad bar $ 6.00, and discover a jar of imported French tartare sauce $ 10.00.
A few minutes later I am grilling my salmon and then begin the process of looking for a nice bottle of wine. And there it is! A nice bottle of Goldeneye pinot noir $ 60.
A casual dinner at home, $ 94.50 spent on one person (aka me). I do not even give it a second thought. By the end of the night I toss out half a bottle of wine and throw out the rest of the $ 10.00 jar of imported French tartare.
How about a wake up call.
This is it. A place where I am no different than those in need. A place where the disabled and families eat first and others who are hungry have to wait and see if there is enough. A place where protein dishes are rarely served because of their expense is a premium.
For most of us, food is an event. But for those who come here, food is for survival a vehicle to help make it though another day.

* The drop-​off point is @ 8^th & Mission. — and 8^th is a one way street.
— The best way to do it is to come down 8^th, cross the intersection w/​Mission and turn left into the first driveway. This driveway belongs to The St. Anthony Foundation and avoids dealing with any parking issues.
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I hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to find an organization that would give my donation to those who need it opposed to selling it to them. I was Googling my head off until once again Unilocal saved the day. I was glad to have found The St. Anthony Foundation. I started out parting with a couple of jackets that where a few years old but rarely used but once I got over that hurdle I realized that I had dress shirts, ties, sweaters and a pile of dead dot. com company t-​shirts and fleeces that I have never worn. I washed and folded everything and headed over to the drop-​off. The actual drop-​off took less than a minute but I stuck around for a few more to talk to the volunteers. –If you are not getting a receipt be sure to hand your donations to a volunteer to make sure that it is properly distributed. Don’t just leave it there.