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St. Anthony Foundation Welcomes Nearly 400 Schoolchildren to its Annual Back-to-School Drive
MEDIA ALERT
Media Contact:
Sally Haims | Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
(415) 254-5884 | SHaims@stanthonysf.org
St. Anthony’s Free Clothing Program will be giving out backpacks, school supplies, and clothing on August 8 and 9 during the two-day giveaway to pre-registered families.
WHAT: St. Anthony Foundation is hosting its annual Back-to-School Drive on Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9. The two-day event features giveaways of backpacks, school supplies, and clothing for hundreds of San Francisco schoolchildren, many of them from families experiencing poverty or homelessness in the Tenderloin neighborhood.
School districts, including San Francisco Unified School District, begin classes in August. Hosted by St. Anthony’s Free Clothing Program, the Back-to-School event prepares children, some of whom are experiencing poverty or homelessness, for a successful 2024-25 school year.
New this year, St. Anthony’s will have tables set up at the event and staff will share about additional services. This includes the Medical Clinic team who will offer information to families in the community. Additionally, the Medical Clinic will be providing a vaccine clinic for interested guests, and on-site support as part of the Eligibility and Enrollment campaign.
“Children have the right to a quality education in an environment where they can build connections with peers, learn about subjects they’ll need for their future careers, and gain the fundamentals for a life of learning. Families should not be hindered by the cost of school supplies at the expense of their child’s education,” said Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO of St. Anthony Foundation. “St. Anthony’s integrates our comprehensive services to increase accessibility and provide best-in-class, personalized care to each community member.”
WHO: Approximately 400 schoolchildren from the Tenderloin neighborhood and throughout San Francisco; parents/guardians; St. Anthony Foundation staff and volunteers
WHEN: Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
WHERE: St. Anthony Foundation (Poverello Room), 150 Golden Gate Ave., 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
WHY: The Tenderloin is one of the most diverse and densely populated neighborhoods in San Francisco. Among its approximate 30,000 residents are an estimated 3,500 children. As the summer break concludes, children will embark on a new school year filled with fun, friends, classes, new teachers, and school supplies that allow them to learn, grow, and enjoy their education.
For many families experiencing poverty or homelessness, school supplies and clothing for children are an extra burden to their everyday expenses. St. Anthony’s Back-to-School event helps ease this burden so that children can achieve academic milestones this school year. Items distributed during the drive are available for free thanks to the generosity of individual and corporate donors.
In addition to backpacks, school supplies, and clothing, each child will receive a book donated by Chronicle Books. Sponsors include Bombas, Dolby, Family Giving Tree, The GAP, Olly, KPMG, and Chronicle Books.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sally Haims, 415-254-5884
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All participating families have pre-registered for the event by signing up with the Free Clothing Program. St. Anthony’s is unable to accept any unregistered/walk-in families.
Photo Ops & Interviews (with verbal and written permission): Photo and interview opportunities are available and can be scheduled prior to or on the day of the event.
Volunteers from the community
Larry Kwan, MD, CEO, St. Anthony Foundation
San Francisco schoolchildren and their families
St. Anthony Foundation team members
About St. Anthony Foundation
Located in the heart of the Tenderloin, St. Anthony Foundation is one of the largest, primarily privately funded social service providers in San Francisco and a place of great love. We offer safety net, health care, and employment services informed by evidence-based best practices for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction. Our goal is to build trust over time with individuals and to give each person the tools and opportunity to sustainably exit homelessness. We offer a welcoming healing community, a pathway to stability, and a model for broader change.
