Day 26: A Beloved Longtime Volunteer

Today we had the honor of catching up with Fitz, a larger than life character and beloved longtime volunteer. We learned more about his history at St. Anthony’s in our interview in which Fitz brought his signature heartfelt humor. 

Annabel: We have heard so many great things about you from the other volunteers. How long have you been volunteering in St. Anthony’s Dining Room?

Fitz: I have been volunteering here ever since I retired from working at St. Anthony’s.

Annabel: Wow! I didn’t know that you had also worked here.

Fitz: I was the coordinator of the Justice Education program for 11 years. I was charged with developing the volunteer program for our high school students. It was so rewarding. I used to go home thinking that this was the job that I was alive for. You’d see a young person’s heart and mind expand before your eyes. It was just remarkable.

Annabel: What was your background before coming to work at St. Anthony’s?

Fitz: I started my adult life as a priest. After that I worked in campus ministry for several years and at a Catholic worker house. When I moved to San Francisco I worked at Tower Records for a while and at Berkeley Emergency Food Service—right after that I came to St. Anthony’s.

Annabel: You are famous for storytelling. Can you tell us one? Whatever comes to mind?

Fitz: One year, the week before Christmas, there was a horrific cold wave. The worst weather in the entire 28 years that I have lived in the Bay Area. There were driving winds and rain, and it was close to freezing. It was pretty awful, especially for people living on the streets. I was coming to work one morning after it had rained all night long. As I walked up to the corner there were three guys that I had gotten to know—I knew that they were all Vietnam vets, that they were homeless and that they had been outdoors the whole night. As I walked up to them I blurted out that last night must have been so awful—one of the guys shrugged and smiled and said, “Fitz, the storm washed off the sidewalks”. I was struck by his resilience. All of the people that we serve are remarkably resilient.

Annabel: If you could sum up how you feel about your experience here in just one word what would it be?

Fitz: Encouraged—our guest’s resilience gives me courage.

Annabel: What is your one wish for our guests?

Fitz: That’s simple. Housing—that we could find them a place to live.