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St. Anthony’s Announces Two Thanksgiving Events to Help Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness
Curbside Turkey Donation Drive & Hygiene Kit Prep Day – 11/19
Giving Thanks on Golden Gate Ave. Distribution & Block Party – 11/22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Sally Haims | Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
SHaims@stanthonysf.org | (415) 254-5884
SAN FRANCISCO (October 31, 2022) St. Anthony’s, committed to providing pathways to stability for the most vulnerable San Franciscans, will gather with dozens of volunteers, donors, civic leaders, and team members to prepare and later distribute hundreds of hygiene kits, warm socks, hats, scarves, holiday cookies, and hot chocolate for our neighbors in need. In addition to the turkey donation drive (both virtual and curbside), care packages will be created at St. Anthony’s on Saturday, November 19 and directly distributed by civic leaders and volunteers to more than 300 guests on Tuesday, November 22 at the Giving Thanks on Golden Gate Avenue Block Party in the Tenderloin.
“These care kits are an important tool to build compassionate relationships with our San Francisco neighbors who are struggling, particularly as the winter season approaches. We are blessed to invite people into our community to change their lives, not just our guests but also our volunteers, team members and donors,” said Nils Behnke, CEO, St. Anthony’s.
Today, the city has approximately 8,000 people who are unhoused, and San Francisco officials estimate as many as 20,000 people will experience homelessness at some point in the year 2022.
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.
WHAT: St. Anthony’s Thanksgiving Curbside and Virtual Turkey Drive and Hygiene Kit Preparation Day on Tuesday, Nov. 19 and the Giving Thanks on Golden Gate Distribution and Block Party in the Tenderloin on Nov. 22.
WHO: St. Anthony’s donors, volunteers, team members, community members, and civic leaders, including Mayor London Breed (TBD), San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, San Francisco Fire Department Chief Jeanine Nicholson, Supervisor Dean Preston
WHEN & WHERE: Two Phases at St. Anthony’s Foundation, 150 Golden Gate Avenue near Jones Street, San Francisco
Day 1: Thanksgiving Curbside and Virtual Turkey Donation Drive and Hygiene Kit Preparation Day
Nov. 19, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Donors, volunteers, and team members prepare warm winter giveaway essential items for our neighbors in need, including hygiene kits, sock rolling, hats, scarves
Location: St. Anthony’s, 150 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, Poverello Room
Day 2: Giving Thanks on Golden Gate Avenue Distribution & Block Party
Nov. 22, 11:45am – 2:00 p.m.
Community members, donors, volunteers, and civic leaders (Mayor London Breed, TBD) including SF Supervisors, SFPD Chief Bill Scott, SFFD Chief Jeanine Nicholson and SFFD members participate in guest-facing event spreading holiday cheer in the Tenderloin by offering holiday cookies, hot chocolate, and hygiene care kits to guests
MEDIA CONTACT: Sally Haims, 415-254-5884
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Photo Ops & Interviews:
- Dozens of volunteers, donors, team members, and civic leaders prepare hundreds of hygiene kits, warm socks, scarves, and hats for our unhoused neighbors
- Interview Opportunities
- Nils Behnke, CEO, St. Anthony’s
- Interview opportunities with Mayor London Breed (TBD), SFPD Chief Bill Scott, SFFD Chief Jeanine Nicholson, SF Supervisors, as willing
- To RSVP as a volunteer, please visit Giving Thanks on Golden Gate – St. Anthony Foundation (stanthonysf.org)
Thank you to our generous sponsor Kaiser Permanente.
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.
