Co-Volunteer Coordinators: Evelyn Ellis & Michele Sheehan

Who Are We?

The St. Francis Community Pantry was originally founded with the specific goal of reaching out to offer non-perishable foods to members of the Novato Community who need extra assistance with food insecurity. The Pantry opened in February 2022, and due to various reasons, had to close its doors. After some thought and restructuring using community and parish volunteers, the doors to the St. Francis Community Pantry were opened again in August 2022!  In the course of less than a year, the Pantry has expanded to offer items such as hygiene products, pet food, outdoor sleeping supplies and seasonal clothing while evolving into a thriving community asset. Unlike other Novato food pantries, St. Francis Community Pantry does not ask for any identifying information as a criteria for its use. 

Most Pantry food and other items are donated by both St. Francis Church  and other community members, bringing together a coalition of those who are compassionate for the food security and basic needs of our most vulnerable community neighbors.

Who Do We Serve?

The St. Francis Community Pantry serves a variety of patrons experiencing many different situations - people who are homeless, unemployed, underemployed, single parents, low-income families and seniors with real faces, real stories and real needs, with some of those needs being fulfilled by church and community members. Currently, the Pantry is open three days a week for two hours shifts and has expanded from serving 11 visitors in August 2022 to 87 visitors in June 2023. The Pantry served 924 patrons between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.

In the past year, the crew of St. Francis Community Pantry have witnessed many changes – ebbs and flows -- like the seasons. Needs have changed, people have come and gone, and the reality is that our Pantry has continued to be vital to many members of the Novato Community.

Donation Item Ideas

St. Francis Community Pantry depends on collective donations in order to run its establishment. 

We continue to request a variety of canned or packaged foods and personal hygiene toiletry items.  Here are ideas for food and hygiene and grooming items that we generally carry:  

Open Hours

The St. Francis Community Pantry is currently open 3 days a week for serving patrons and accepting donations. 

• Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:00 

• Thursdays     1:00 - 3:00

• Sundays      Noon - 2:00

Pantry Sunday

The first Sunday of each month is “Pantry Sunday” when the church has a collective blessing of the donations made for the Community Pantry. Please bring donations during the 10:00 service or during the Pantry open hours.

Cash Donations and Volunteering Opportunities

 In addition, cash donations will be accepted during the offering collection at the service or online via the church's management software Breeze. 

If you have some spare time, please offer an hour or two to help keep the Pantry doors open. 

Matthew 25 - Welcome The Stranger

In the spirit of Matthew 25, our ministry has welcomed the stranger who has been left out and left behind by providing a helping hand. It is only when a person’s most basic needs are met that one can become self-reliant.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

Gratitude 

The Pantry Committee and the Pantry Patrons are grateful for your support in keeping this ministry alive!! Together, we have made a difference in many people’s lives. Thank you!!

Additional Information

If you have questions about donations or volunteering to help with the Community Pantry, please contact Evelyn Ellis & Michele Sheehan by emailing using the link above or by leaving a voice message at (415) 858-6656 or the church's main number at (415) 892-1600.