St Anthony’s Improves Its Dining Service For Seniors

St Anthony’s Improves Its Dining Service For Seniors

September 1, 2002

By Senior Support Group

The month of August closed on a brighter note for many senior citizens who rely on the St. Anthony Foundation as their primary source for a daily meal. August 8th marked the introduction of pink numbered tickets distributed to guests in the Senior Service line. By the end of the month, the verdict amongst seniors was unanimous. The new ticket system together with other changes by the St. Anthony Client Services staff have benefited all Seniors, making St. Anthony’s an even more enjoyable and safe experience for guests.

Generous portions of always-outstanding main entrees are served with fruit, vegetables, fresh baked bread, beverage and dessert once each day. Steak is even served on special occasions when extra funding is available. Under the supervision and preparation of Chef Lynne the luncheon serving is of very generous portions The wide variety of meals served are frequently compared to an old-fashioned meal available at inexpensive San Francisco restaurants, but costing over $20.00. For Labor Day Pork Milanese, Breaded pork cutlet topped with tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, with salad, dessert and beverage are planned.

In June of this year, a number of St Anthony dining room guests asked Father John S. Hardin, Executive Director of the St. Anthony Foundation, to consider implementing a new admission policy for Senior citizens. Father Hardin quickly implemented several changes to improve an already top-notch program, including the new pink numbered tickets. He is the fifth person to head the St. Anthony Foundation with an annual operating budget of about $14 million. An integral part of St. Anthony’s family is its fine volunteer staff. The friendly hard working St Anthony volunteers are deeply appreciated by dining guests. The program could not succeed without them. Each year, volunteers donate 160,000 hours of care and attention. Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities can visit http://www.stanthonysfbay.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunites.html


St. Anthony Dining Room opened on October 4, 1950. It was founded next door to St. Boniface church in the Tenderloin by Franciscan friar Alfred Boeddeker. By last January, the St. Anthony Dining Room had served its 29 millionth meal. The dining facility is located at 45 Jones Street (2 blocks from Market & 6th Street). In addition to the Dining Room, St. Anthony Foundation's programs include one of the oldest and largest free medical clinics in San Francisco; a free clothing and furniture program; a residence for low-income senior women; three residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers; an employment program; a social work center; shelter and transitional housing for homeless and mentally ill women; and educational programs for the community on issues of poverty and homelessness. Funding for St. Anthony Foundation's programs comes entirely from the private sector, with no federal, state, or local government funds.

As always, Father Floyd Lotito continues to welcome the poor to St. Anthony's each day as he has done for more than 32 years. On a very limited budget, all of the staff at St. Anthony’s often goes the extra mile to provide the large community of San Francisco’s poor and homeless residents with unequalled dining in a safe, compassionate and caring environment. It is no easy task to safely organize and keep happy the always overflowing number of hungry visitors who cue up each day at the dining center. St. Anthony Client Safety Services staff members like Assistant Supervisor Kelvin along with staffer Miguel do an outstanding job in almost impossible circumstances. Because the meals are so good, guests often come from other Bay area localities. In addition, the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas meals have been noted to provide the finest holiday meals offered to the poor anywhere in the nation.

For most dining guests the daily St. Anthony’s meal is the only real meal to be had. Many of the homeless receive less than $320.00 General Assistance each month together with food stamps, while some receive no benefits at all. Those who receive Social Security or SSI income must contend with paying the city average of $590.00 to $700.00 per month rental for their Single room occupancies. When you add utilities and essential medicines, many Seniors who use St Anthony services often have little more than $25.00 remaining each month to spend on food. SSI recipients receive $829.00 each month, and most are not eligible for food stamps.

The Dining Room serves over 2,100 meals per day and is open 365 days a year. The Dining Room is open at 11 a.m. for seniors 60 and older and families with children. Service for all other guests begins at noon. Seniors and families are served at their tables. While serving the poor, the homeless and families and seniors who cannot make ends meet, the Dining Room also offers special accommodations to those with disabilities, and gives special attention to those with recent medical documentation specifying a significant disability.

The main offices of the St. Anthony Foundation are at 121 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, Phone: (415) 241-2600. St Anthony’s maintains a website at http://www.stanthonysfbay.org/home.html

Information about donating food may be obtained from (415)241-2690 and Volunteer services from (415) 592-2727.