Groceries for Seniors

Groceries for Seniors receives baked good donations from three local grocery stores each morning, which we marry with the fresh fruits, veggies, protein and heathy starches from the Food Bank to construct the perfect grocery bag. We usually have one or two people working the bread line - but this morning our donations were so generous, it took four people to wrap the items in plastic for their journey to our low-income senior recipients. Poetry in motion . . .

Last week we stopped by Cole Hardware and were fortunate enough to pick up their December 2020 "Spare Change" Customer Donations to Groceries for Seniors in the form of a check totaling $4,452.59. We are completely humbled as that is an incredible number which goes a long way in supporting our efforts. Here we are receiving the check (in a socially distanced manner) from the Cole Hardware North Beach Manager, Tina Rotolo. Cole Hardware - long may they run

Shown are some of our hard working volunteers double-bagging whole chicken that was the centerpiece of this week's grocery bag. Once again, our folks willingly take this extra step to ensure that the fruit, vegetables and carbs that the overflowing bags contain remain protected and pristine. We have much respect for our hard working volunteers . . . . quiet, humble heroes all

With the President's Holiday making a short week for the SF-Marin Food Bank and Groceries for Seniors. We received three days worth of groceries this morning. We have every freezer, refrigerator and storage space packed with the food for this week's recipients. Compact weeks make for some serious work for our volunteers!

Our friends at Cole Hardware North Beach celebrating their fourth year in business at that location. A great neighborhood - a great store!

The early morning fog shrouded both the Financial District and Chinatown today as viewed from the front porch of the rectory office at Old Saint Mary's Cathedral. Sometimes, there's something to be said for getting up early.

Cole Hardware is not only one of the best places to shop for hardware, gift needs and more, but is also an iconic brand synonymous with quality and customer service in San Francisco. They have also supported Groceries for Seniors for many, many years and continue to do so on an ongoing basis. We are honored to be among the recipients of their philanthropic efforts based on community needs. Long may they run!

Groceries for Seniors is excited. We secured a grant for a much needed Brand New Freezer this year and it finally came in. Now we will never have any issues with frozen foods. The new one (on the right) matches our old one and we now have max capacity so bring that frozen chicken on

Don't miss a chance to catch the extremely funny "KUNG PAO KOSHER COMEDY" show in it's 28th year in San Francisco. Now you can enjoy the experience "virtually" from anywhere you are. Check it out!

Cole Hardware is collecting unwrapped toys and will find a great home for them with children of families who are in need. You could buy a toy at Cole Hardware (yes, there is a toy section) and donate that. Just a thought . . . .

One of our two Volunteer Coordinators, Shari Shearman, came up with a plan to ensure our packing surfaces are not subject to any harmful bacteria or virus residue by liberally spritzing them with a bleach solution from a spray bottle. Before we leave each shift we soak our tables, work surfaces, door handles, etc. When we come in the next morning - we're ready to go!

Volunteers - head's down - doing the work. We are blessed to have such an incredible volunteer group who show up day in and day out.

Here is the most current update from Old Saint Mary's regarding their hours of operation. If you haven't already done so, please consider checking out their book store for books, treasures and incredible gifts for all kinds of people. A great stop as the Holidays approach. They now are open daily with limited hours. If you haven't been shopping here - you really should go - it's an only in San Francisco experience!

Today was the last day of work at GFS for one of our regular volunteers. Kurt (center of the photo near the back in tan sweater). He has been the chaperone for a group really fantastic people from "Employment Plus" (which include the ever faithful Eric and Lupita). We will miss Kurt, but look forward to having his successor continue to volunteer with an expanded group from "EP." as things settle down further. Best wishes to Kurt in his next chapter!

Everyday about 7am our faithful van (and driver, Tim Thompson) roll up in front of Old Saint Mary's and we unload an incredible bounty of items from our grocery store donors. We marry those speciality items with the staples the Food Bank provides to assemble a well rounded grocery bag. Whole Foods, the Haight Street Market and Falletti Foods have supported us for many years and allow us to put some baked goods and spice into the lives of our low-income senior recipients.

As part of today's activities, our volunteers prepared and our driver delivered 287 bags of beautiful free groceries to over 287 apartments. As part of the days bounty, each unit received one dozen eggs - that's 3,444 individual eggs - fueling many a breakfast table without a doubt. A good thing!

With today's individual grocery bags (bound for our low-income recipients) averaging 20 Pounds - we just picked, packed and loaded 5,600 pounds of groceries into our jammed pack van and sent it off to be delivered to 280 individual apartments. A busy, taxing and worthwhile day.

We could all use a laugh . . . . . .

If you've never visited the garden center at Cole Hardware in Cole Valley - you should - it feels like this . . . only bigger!

3,640 pounds of food left Old Saint Mary's this morning bound for two low-income senior apartments. Our volunteers always make it happen!

Glide is providing free Covid-19 testing. This is a great thing.

A recent update from the good folks at Old Saint Mary's Cathedral. Health and safety are number one.

Groceries for Seniors staff would like to thank GFS Board member, Kevin Leong, for working with highly regarded Dr. Rick Tabor, (based in Alameda) to donate Face Shields that the good Doc has been constructing - as seen worn by our core volunteer group. These are incredibly well made and beyond thoughtfully placed. When worn in conjunction with our day-to-day face coverings, we feel that we are really going all out to protect one another. Value = priceless. Thanks to all involved!