Planning for a Legacy

As a volunteer behind the counter of St. Anthony’s Dining Room, Peter Wenner noticed a disturbing shift. “I saw that more and more of our guests had recently fallen out of the middle class,” he said.  “There were lots of people in the Dining Room line who had lost their jobs because of the economy.”

Serving meals to people who looked more and more like him reminded Wenner of the fragility of financial security during a down economy and of his own good fortune in having steady employment for 13 years.

In 2006, the Pete and his wife Maria decided that creating a living trust best suited their planned giving needs. Having no heirs, they decided to select as beneficiaries of their estate organizations that help those suffering through hard times. 

Peter favors organizations that deal with fundamental needs.  “As times get worse, I like to support causes that meet the basics such as shelter and nutrition,” he explained.  “My heart goes out to the homeless and hungry.”  Along with St. Anthony’s, beneficiaries of their estate include Meals on Wheels, Project Open Hand, and Glide Memorial among others.

Maria also admires St. Anthony programs that help people leave the food line.  “I love the computer-training and job-training programs at St. Anthony’s,” she said.  Born in Hong Kong, she’s lived in San Francisco since she was eight. “I’ve seen the city change over the years and don’t remember so much homelessness.”

And, she adds, “It doesn’t take a lot to help someone, to put a smile on someone’s face.  St Anthony’s serves that purpose, and does it very well.” 

St. Anthony Foundation is honored to have Maria and Peter Wenner as members of our Legacy Circle.  For information about Planned Giving and becoming a Legacy Circle member like Maria and Peter, please contact Lourdes Tanedo at415-592-2858.