Thousands of Meals Delivered to Homebound on Christmas Morning
What
Four thousand meals will be packaged and then hand-delivered to thousands of San Francisco residents who cannot leave their home on Christmas Day due to age or illness (terminal illness, etc.). Over 200 volunteers will pick up meals and delivery routes at The Salvation Army’s South of Market Corps Community Center, and then canvass San Francisco, bringing the joy of the holidays to those in need. For some, a visit from a Salvation Army volunteer is the only contact from the outside world they will receive that day.
For more than 50 years, The Salvation Army has provided a fresh meal on Christmas to those who cannot access other congregate meal sites (e.g., Glide Memorial, St. Anthony’s, etc.) because of their frail physical condition. The effort takes hundreds of volunteers, both in meal preparation, meal packaging, and delivery, as well as hundreds of hours in preparation.
When
CHRISTMAS DAY, Saturday, December 25 [SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFICS]
5:00am to 7:00am -- Stage 1: Finishing Touches on meals
7:30am to 9:30am -- Stage 2: Volunteers arrive, depart to deliver meals
STAGE 1: “FINISHING TOUCHES” ON CHRISTMAS MEALS
Who
Volunteers and Salvation Army staff will finish preparing 4,000 fresh meals to be delivered by volunteers in San Francisco. The meal consists of sliced ham, yams, green beans, fruit cups, fruit juice, hot chocolate mix and cookies.
Where
The Salvation Army Central Kitchen – 5:00am to 7:00am
850 Harrison St. (Between 4th and 5th streets)
Photo Ops & Interviews
- Central Kitchen Staff and volunteers dishing up individual plates, loading bags/boxes for delivery
- Last-minute cooking of food items; visual samples of various food items prepared
- Interview Opportunity with Head Chef, Anthony Pardi, and other kitchen staff
STAGE 2: CHRISTMAS MEAL DELIVERY
Who
More than 200 volunteers help deliver the 4,000 meals prepared by Salvation Army staff to seniors and homebound people in San Francisco. Volunteers are a mix of individuals and groups, and are of all age-groups (families will often deliver meals together). Volunteers come from around the Bay Area to participate (including San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda Counties).
Where
The Salvation Army’s South of Market Corps – 7:30am to 9:30am
360 Fourth St. (Between Folsom and Harrison), San Francisco
Parking available on Clara Street alley – used for volunteer loading
Photo Ops & Interviews
- Hundreds of volunteers picking up food boxes to deliver to seniors and homebound in San Francisco
- Volunteers filing through pick-up process (check-in, picking out routes and maps, then picking up meals, loading into cars, etc.).
- Interview opportunities with volunteers, including ride-a-long during delivery (as available)
- Interview opportunity with Lt. Col. Cindy Foley, Golden State Divisional Leader
About The Salvation Army
Since 1883, The Salvation Army has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area, offering practical support, spiritual comfort and a critical safety net to people in need. The Army has 16 facilities throughout San Francisco providing a myriad of services, including youth programs, meal delivery, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, transitional housing, and nutritional and housing support for seniors. In addition, the Army also provides disaster relief services. For more information about Salvation Army activities in San Francisco, visit online at sanfrancisco.salvationarmy.org.