St Francis' Episcopal Church is very pleased that in April, 2006, the St. Francis Neighborhood Food Pantry was presented with the very first Food Pantry of the Month Award given by the San Francisco Food Bank.  Comments from the clients surveyed during the award process gave the pantry high marks for the quality of the food selection and many stated that the clients were always treated with respect.

In 2002, St. Francis Church was approached by St. Gregory of Nyssa Church (who was operating a pantry on Potrero Hill), and by the San Francisco Food Bank, and asked if they would be interested in becoming a Pantry site.  The Rev. Bente Carter approached the Vestry with this proposal who eagerly responded to the call.

The St. Francis Neighborhood Food Pantry opened on June 12, 2002 prepared to supply groceries to 50 families.  Although only fourteen people showed up that first day, word spread quickly, and within weeks the pantry was more than meeting its goal. Today the pantry regularly serves 150 families — a testament to the need in the community, and the dedication of volunteers who show up every week to make it happen.

When it was started, the goal of the pantry was to provide food to needy families in the community.  To the extent possible, the pantry’s additional goal was to allow a choice in food selection, much as one would find in a supermarket, to avoid a sense of being given a “handout”.  As the pantry evolved and matured, a delightful surprise was how much community-building had occurred.  Clients became volunteers, helping to load crates of groceries on the tables in preparation for distribution.  Children of pantry clients became volunteers, acted as translators, logged community-service hours.  Our multi-ethnic community broke down barriers and began to look out for one another, ensuring provisions for the elderly and the infirm were set aside.  Parish volunteers became part of this community.  One need only be present on a Wednesday afternoon when the Pantry is in operation to know that Christ is present in the midst of it.