My Nonprofit Reviews
caringperson
Review for St. Anthony Foundation, San Francisco, CA, USA
In all my years first as working in the profit and non-profit field and second as a person who needed to utilize the services of St. Anthony Foundation, San Francisco, I have never encountered such a caring organization. I have utilized their services for over ten years. When you go to the Dining Room, you feel like you are treated like royalty - the food is excellent, it is like going to a restaurant, very relaxed and the menu is never the same over a period of several months. The quality of food and service is unsurpassed. When it seems like the world is closing in on you because you do not have alot of money, going to St. Anthony to eat is like a WELCOMING RETREAT. The food is nutritious, low salt, very tasty and extremely appealling. There are other "SOUP KITCHENS" in the city where you can get more than 1 meal a day, but I would rather wait and come to St. Anthony for the experience of being treated like someone with lots of money. They treat us with dignity and respect in a soothing environment. FANTASTIC!!! Also being able to get clothes once a month makes a difference. The quality and choice of clothes is outstanding. It is so good that many times I get asked for handouts because I am so well dressed (even though it is second hand). The volunteers, clients and staff working together not against each other makes St. Anthony a gem in this world. I recommend this organization to everyone I meet, wether they need clothes, a meal, help getting basic needs meet (medical, etc) or are looking for a place to give back I wholeheartly recommend St. Anthony to everyone. If only all the other organizations and government departments which work with seniors and those with mental illness, drug use, alcoholism, or are low income would treat their clients as good as St. Anthony does theirs.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
how people you see out on the street with attitudes, drop all their defenses and attitude when they walk through the door - they act just like people with lots of money going to a fancy restaurant - NORMAL!!! Ant to think that they do all this with no funds received from the government. FANTASTIC!!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
reach out and help the homeless women (especially those that have trouble adjusting to regular situations) and children with housing. I have seen several senior women in their 60 + who live out on the streets come through there to eat pulling/pushing their carts or carring their belongings with them. It is very sad.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the peace of mind that I have knowing that they are there providing consistent, warm service.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very sensitive, warm, caring, and funny but serious when they need to be. Very discret about a client's situation and needs.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand to help house those that need it the most and also expand their services - the need is there.
Ways to make it better...
some of the clients that come there take on more of the characteristics of such caring staff and volunteers.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the demands/needs of the people is becoming greater, they could get dragged down by being stretched so thin. What they provide the clients is nothing compared to other social service agencies, St. Anthony STANDS OUT IN THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICES.
One thing I'd also say is that...
St Anthony is like family, even if I haven't been there in a while.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
