“The impact of the food we receive is significant; it’s a huge help that brings stress relief! Without The Food Pantry, it would be extremely difficult to provide enough healthy food for our family. The fresh fruit & vegetables from @sfmfoodbank & @extrafooddotorg are our favorites! We are so grateful for all of the Directors & Volunteers; we appreciate the community they have created & the assistance they provide us every Saturday. It’s a welcoming atmosphere full of peace & tranquility.”

Olivia: “Volunteering allows me to be a part of an incredible community that makes a tangible difference in the lives of SF residents…I’ve found an incredibly welcoming & uplifting community that is full of genuine & kind hearted people.”

Lauren: “Volunteering here gives me a strong sense of purpose; I’ve found a loving community of volunteers & patrons alike who are warm & welcoming. I have improved my Spanish, French, Mandarin, Cantonese being part of this diverse community! I love seeing the smiling faces evry Saturday-rain or shine!”

"The food we receive at The Food Pantry is our main food; it's very important. Without it, we would lose access to fresh food. The Food Pantry has become part of weekly life! It's a place we come to with pleasure.The volunteers are very nice and kind; our favorite part of the pantry is communicating with them and receiving food."

"Volunteering at The Food Pantry is a unique experience where I am able to help others in my free time; it's a very personal satisfaction that I am able to serve those in need. I have also found a wonderful community of different races and cultures with a friendly, compassionate atmosphere.  My favorite part is working with others who share my desire to be of service. I have been volunteering for 7 months and will continue for as long as I can."

"The Food Pantry is a huge help because we are a family of five...only my husband works and it's not very much. I get emotional when I see my small children so happy after I tell them we are going to see their friends and receive food from the pantry. We always feel safe there with the warm and friendly environment the volunteers provide us.”

"It gives me a lot of energy to come every Saturday..I release all of the steam due to work stress accumulated during the week. This is a place where kindness comes first & I have found a community of FRIENDS, real Friends!!! I have been volunteering for 6 months and will do it as long as I can."

"The groceries we receive at The Food Pantry helps us feel more confident that we will not go hungry during this difficult time of life...that we will not remain without food until we get back on our feet. Without The Food Pantry we would feel very insecure with anxiety about getting food. I am grateful to God and the people for their kindness."

"At The Food Pantry I have found a new family. They have taught me how to work as a team, that each job we do, no matter how small, contributes to the betterment of others."

“The food from the food pantry is very important. Being low income in San francisco can be quite stressful. There is no way I could afford the quality of food & balanced nutrition they provide. I have gratitude coming to the pantry every Saturday-it’s so refreshing to be around kind people. Co Director Stephanie is always gentle, compassionate & bright, while Co Director Randy is a terrific soul who deftly handles the incredible diversity of patrons with a smile. I feel very welcomed-the folks here remember my name & I am often greeted with a hug.”

“For 45 years I wore a hat as an elementary educator, As I approached retirement I worried about my identity: who would I be without my kids & classroom? Then, while volunteering at The Food Pantry & helping Sara Miles (The Food Pantry founder) prepare a home cooked meal for our volunteers, she handed me my new hat...& introduced me, 'Here is Randy Bowman, he feeds people.' So here I am…from Leader to Feeder.”

"This food means so much to my family; it helps get my family through the week until the next time I visit The Food Pantry. We would suffer without it. From the very first day I attended this pantry, I was welcome with open arms by staff, volunteers, and other attendees. The volunteers are wonderful! Everyone is so friendly...lots of smiles and plenty of laughter."