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Longtime Donor & Organizer Pierre Smit to Give More Than 700 Turkeys to Support Those in Need at St. Anthony’s
11th Annual SF Turkey Drive Drop-Off on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Sally Haims | Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
SHaims@stanthonysf.org | (415) 254-5884
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (November 16, 2022) St. Anthony’s, committed to providing pathways to stability for the most vulnerable San Franciscans, will welcome longtime donor and founder of the SF Turkey Drive, Pierre Smit who will bring more than 700 turkeys to the dining room on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 p.m. to help those who need it most this holiday season.
In 2012, Pierre launched the SF Turkey Drive out of his home in Merced Heights in San Francisco. In 2013, St. Emydius Church joined his project to make the neighborhoods in the Southern part of San Francisco a strong player in alleviating hunger among those experiencing homelessness and poverty in the city. Last year, Pierre and his team of volunteers donated 1,392 turkeys to help St. Anthony’s guests.
“Every year since, we have been collecting turkeys on the Saturdays leading up to Thanksgiving and before Christmas. It’s been a true blessing to give our time for a good cause to ensure our neighbors in need enjoy a warm holiday meal and the connection and community that St. Anthony’s dining room offers,” said Mr. Smit.
“We are so grateful to our donors like Pierre. Their generosity and kindness fuel our mission to help our community’s families, seniors and individuals to not only find relief from hunger but also to feel hope and joy during the holidays,” said Nils Behnke, CEO, St. Anthony’s.
WHAT: St. Anthony’s, committed to providing pathways to stability for the most vulnerable San Franciscans, will welcome longtime donor and founder of the SF Turkey Drive, Pierre Smit who will bring more than 700 turkeys to the dining room
WHO: Longtime Donor and Founder of the SF Turkey Drive, Pierre Smit and St. Anthony’s team members
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: St. Anthony’s, 121 Golden Gate Avenue near Jones St., San Francisco
MEDIA CONTACT: Sally Haims, 415-254-5884
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Photo Ops & Interviews:
- Pierre Smit, Longtime Donor, and Founder of the SF Turkey Drive benefiting families and individuals in need at St. Anthony’s
- Nils Behnke, CEO, St. Anthony’s
Additionally, to meet the need for food and warm clothing, St. Anthony’s is asking for gifts to be made online via its Virtual Curbside webpage at stanthonysf.org/virtual-curbside, where supporters can conveniently shop for food and clothing items needed by St. Anthony’s guests this holiday season.
With food prices rising to levels not seen in more than 40 years, St. Anthony’s is hoping for record-breaking participation in this Virtual Curbside Donation Drive. St. Anthony’s expects to serve more than 2,600 meals on Thanksgiving and the Free Clothing Program relies heavily on holiday donations, particularly warm coats, to provision the program for the entire year.
In the Tenderloin’s struggle with poverty, addiction, and mental illness, St. Anthony Foundation has been a beacon of consistency, companionship, and caring for more than 70 years. We provide our guests with a range of services—from a place to rest or take a shower, clothing, and addiction recovery, to meals, medical care, and workforce development. At St. Anthony’s, we take a different approach, one that delivers meaningful results — Hope. Stability. Renewal.
