Curbside donations in San Francisco kicked off this weekend for St. Anthony Foundation’s annual holiday food and clothing drive, the charity’s spokesman said this morning.
“There’s joy in the folks dropping off their stuff, knowing it’s going to be used very quickly,” spokesman Karl Robillard said. “It was a great turnout this weekend.”
The nonprofit is accepting curbside drop-offs of nonperishable food items and canned goods, along with certain clothing items particularly needed during the giving season, Robillard said.
Over the weekend, donors pulled up to the drop off center at 121 Golden Gate Ave., but the foundation is still short on some items on its list, with less than a week until Christmas Day.
The nonprofit’s biggest goal is to provide 3,000 pairs of new or gently used socks for Christmas gifts. As of Monday morning they had 690 pairs and counting, Robillard said.
“(Socks) are appreciated by people who are on their feet all day,” he said.
Other coveted clothing items include warm coats–especially women’s coats, but any new or gently worn coats for men, women and children will be accepted.
Often overlooked, underwear is also high on St. Anthony’s list to give for Christmas. New underpants for men, women and children are always needed, Robillard said.
Also by Sunday, the foundation is looking for hams to be delivered to their kitchen to feed the hungry a traditional holiday meal.
Curbside drop offs can be made from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday and on Christmas Eve donations will be accepted at the site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We make it as easy as possible to drop off,” Robillard said.
Donors can drive up to the curb on Golden Gate Avenue and give items to St.
Anthony members in red coats up until Christmas Eve.
Many people stop by on Christmas Eve for last minute donations, which Robillard assured is still beneficial for the charity. Even after curbside deliveries have ended, on Christmas Day people can donate holiday items at the St. Anthony dining room, located at 45 Jones St.
A newer holiday tradition at St. Anthony’s is collecting hand-knit scarves for the foundation’s patrons. The group set out in September to collect 5,000 homespun scarves by Christmas and this weekend they hit the 5,000 mark with more coming in, Robillard said.
Anyone with a knit scarf can also donate those for Christmas giving at the curbside location.
For more information about donations and St. Anthony’s visit www.stanthonysf.org.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
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