Glide Values Resonate With PHS' Mission

We strive to be a radically inclusive, just and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.

225,000 people will be nourished through SF Food Bank programs

Our mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin. It's a huge job that's only gotten harder as our community struggles with a prolonged period of economic distress and record numbers of people are pushed to the point of hunger.

Tenderloin Street Retreat 2016 - What holds us separate? What keeps us separated? As we walk the street, what still connects us?

We believe that when we walk the streets, the life around us is a mirror, reflecting back to us our humanity, our frailties and our strengths. When we look with compassion upon others, we find compassion within ourselves, for ourselves and for others. When we acknowledge the strengths of those around us, we acknowledge the incredible worth of all of us.

Young Activists Reflect

I chose to serve at Glide, Faithful Fools, and SF Food Bank. I decided to experience it a second time because I liked it a lot last year. However, I didn’t feel like I got enough out of it last year and I wanted to see if I could experience new things I hadn’t last year. I wanted to meet new people and observe the people and experiences on the street. I met new volunteers at the faithful fools, new people in the Tenderloin, and went to new places in the TL.

The work we have done for these three days is important. It serves hungry and homeless people. The work that we have done not only benefits people in need but it also benefits us. It provides new experiences and helps us better realize our place in the world.

We are separated from the people in the Tenderloin. We have a barrier related to class between us. We have better education, money, and job opportunities. Wealth will always keep us separated. It is very difficult for people with very little money to change their economic class and rise above their situation. We are still connected because we are all human. We all have somehow shared similar experiences at some point. We all can share something whether it be related to race, gender, sexual preference, or interests.

~ Jay

I chose to serve at Glide, Faithful Fools, and SF Food Bank because I wanted to help people that are in need of food, shelter, and care. It helped me be aware of how lucky I am and how I should be grateful that I have a roof over my head and a hot meal everyday. The work we have been doing for the last three days is important because it helped lots of people. We packaged rice - which went to lots of different schools, churches, and non-profit organizations. I have bonded with people in my challenge week group by talking to them and cooperating with them.

~ Amir

I feel that doing Glide, Faithful Fools and SF Food Bank, will greatly help the less fortunate. One way that I think about it is that doing something that only takes three days will have a great, positive affect on people's lives. Another reason I enjoy working here is because not only do we help the less fortunate, but we also get to spend time with friends. One way I have made new friends was when we were assigned groups in the Faithful Fools street retreat. I wasn't put with anyone I would usually hang out with, but I ended up having a lot of fun, and I to know people in the other grades a bit more.

~ JP

I have helped my community by serving others who are food insecure. I have learned to put my self in other peoples’ shoes at the street retreat. I have also helped package food for those who need it at the food bank.

The work we have done for the past 3 days is important because I was able to interact with people from a different background and I got to serve my community. I felt connected towards the people I served and found that they are really fun to talk to.

I chose to help at Glide, SF food bank and Faithful fools because I wanted to help my community and serve those who need it. I was looking for a new experience and a new challenge and this challenge week really helped me connect with new people and experience things I hadn't experienced before.

~ Fatima

In the past few days, I have been able to observe a community that was much different than the one I am used to. The stereotype of the Tenderloin being a dangerous place had disappeared as I was welcomed into the community. Seeing others who are less fortunate made me reflect on my life and made me think of how I should be grateful of it.

Helping the community had been a great experience as I had been able to give back. Helping people who are homeless and are food insecure made me feel good about myself.

Experiencing this with my friends and peers had been fun. Not only did we help the community, but we also did it together. We cooperated with each other, especially at the Food Bank when we made sure each box of rice were exactly 15 pounds. By the end of the day, I was very tired and felt very sick, but it was worth it. I was able to enjoy myself and be able to say that I have helped my community.  

~ Kharisma

The work we have done these past 3 days is important because we have done a lot of work, and most of that work benefits and helps other people. On the first day, we walked around the Tenderloin, and we got to see what it was like there and we didn't have any help from adults when we were walking around. I think that we all got a little more empathetic for the people who live there and eat art Glide and St. Anthony's. On day 2, we went to a food bank and helped bag 1 pound of rice into each bag. It was really fun - especially my job, scooping rice into bags - and I learned more about how food banks help people who don't have a lot of money. We also walked around San Francisco a little bit and we got to see a bunch of different neighborhoods. Today we are all going to Glide again, but this time we are there to volunteer. This will give us a look into how people are affected by Glide, and how it helps them. We will get to serve people food, and we will also eat some of the food at the soup kitchen. I chose to serve at Glide, Faithful Fools, and SFM Food bank because I like to help people, and these organizations need volunteers to help them help people in need of help. SFM Food bank needs volunteers because they need help getting food like rice and pasta into bags, which they give to families who can't afford that much food. Glide needs volunteers to help serve the food to the homeless, and to help them prepare lots of things. Faithful Fools wants volunteers so that they can get donations, and so that people are more aware of the places where there are people in need (I think). In conclusion, this is why I think the work we have done is important, and why I chose to serve at the places that we have visited.

~ Hana

I think it is very important to help our community with serving and volunteering at places like glide. Also to help the part of the community that maybe we don't experience or are educated about that part of our community like the TL or maybe a soup kitchen or somewhere where lots of people are food insecure. The work we have done for these 3 days is important because we helped lots of people and we got to experience different things like when we went to faithful fools. We got to walk around the TL and see another side of it and get to have a head on day as a regular child in the TL Also we got to make a lot of rice for the S.F food bank and we got to see the process of how the food bank distributes and how they get the food were every they need it to be. Also at glide we get to serve people and children that are food insecure and get them a real healthy meal.

~ Tia

I connected with the Tenderloin community. Many people are friendly and just want to say “Hi.” Doing the street retreat was very mind opening to me because I used to ignore them. But I had many conversations with good people and that helped me understand that they are equal rights same as everybody.

The work I have done for the past three days is important because I got to explore and understand a community that I have never understood before. I also helped package food to be sent to soup kitchens, St. Anthony's, etc. But the most important thing I have done these days is communicating and being a part of the community.

~ Nicholas

I find it imperative to help feed the food insecure and the homeless - since a quarter of SF fits in that category.

What holds us separate what keeps us separated what still connects - It’s the past generation telling us that homeless people are dangerous and what still keeps us connected is that we are all human.

~ Nika

Wednesday I walked the Tenderloin and observed the people who lived there. Then reflected on what we saw and what we thought. On my adventure through the Tenderloin I actually ate at Glide. On Thursday My group and I went to the SFM Food Bank and volunteered. We packaged rice that was going to be delivered to schools, churches and soup kitchens. On Friday we are going to volunteer at glib instead of being a guest. So now we can see both views at glide. The work we've done for these past 3 days is important because we are giving back to the community.

~ Anthony

Nick Retreats to the Streets of the Tenderloin

Good people live in the Tenderloin and mean to do good things. They are not all ill. They just might be going through hard times. Some are lonely and just want a friend. My chaperone knew so may people in such little time. Yes, some are not friendly and want to shut others out but they just need to figure out things for themselves. So many people take food, water and other needs for granted. People with such insecurities are trying to make the best of their lives. It made me a little bit sad. Here I am living the perfect life and complaining about everything. Experiencing today made me more conscious of the less fortunate and I will do my best to think more highly of people facing food insecurity.

Tomorrow's Leaders Work to Make San Francisco a Better Place for All People

Wednesday at Glide was really fun, because I got to greet every single guest. I offered them a warm friendly start to their day. I was the person to welcome them. I was the one that offered them their tray filled with food from the main kitchen line. It was good to give breakfast to the people at Glide. Giving made my day, because I saw how lucky I am and how I can help those less unfortunate. The people I served are friendly, grateful, they want to know me, and they are very thankful for my efforts. Glide gives me the chance/ opportunity to give and help others!

~ Lily

At Glide today, we helped others glide towards food security. Actually, we didn't glide far enough towards food security, we took a small step along the long road to food security. I worked behind a counter getting food off of and cleaning trays. It was a small job, but people still came up to me to say "Thank God you're in my life" - someone literally said that. 1 out of every 4 people don't know where they will get their next meal, and serving 1000 out of the 800,000 people served each year gave 1000 people their next meal. Going to Glide lets you make a positive difference in San Francisco and allows you to meet people you wouldn't normally. I serve to make the positive change. I wouldn't be able to make it without Glide. The people at Glide are thankful, and they deserve every bite of food they get.

~ Max

Glide is about making relationships with the people that are food insecure and homeless in San Francisco. Waking up very early in the morning means a lot to other people, and it could be just enough to make your day. Serving at Glide is a unique experience to have, and it is worth everything just to see their smiling faces. Every drop of sweat we make is one more happy person in our community, and that really matters, it is the reason I go to Glide.

~ Dena

Wednesday at Glide was a wonderful experience for me, we served, talked with and helped many people. Nothing is as fulfilling as watching over 600 people leave with content smiles and full stomachs. Many people are food insecure or struggling with homelessness, and a lot of them come to Glide to get a warm meal and see some friendly faces. Not many people get the opportunity to do something so amazing as serving, and I feel very lucky to be able to help out at Glide.

~ Sofie

Today, as we served trays laden with warm, nurturing food,  I was able to see the face of each guest as they received a tray from Lily-who had a friendly greeting for each one.   There were guest who came in with hoodies or towels wrapped around heads to protect from the downpour, and only their eyes were visible.  There were guests with irregular teeth but shining smiles--delighted to see Lily warmly welcoming them.  There were many Asian women who all received an additional apple stealthily stuffed into their big shopping bags with a gentle smile from James, the floor manager who has an enormous heart.  He is covered in tattoos, and knows the majority of the almost 1,000 homeless guests who regularly receive meals in Moe's Kitchen or the Coffee Cafe.

There are those who look as if they could step into a Board Room if only they had a good suit.  Others show the signs of extended time on the streets, with possible substance challenges.  Many appear as if, at one time, they knew "better times", and now call the sidewalk their home.  All laugh with delight as Lily and I sing for a long line waiting to be served.

I believe that the most important thing we do is to let those who are having difficult times know that we hear them, and care.  We become the voice of those who might otherwise be voiceless.

I truly love doing this service with PHS students.  Your spirit, your enthusiasm, your willingness to roll out of bed and be there by 6:30 am before a long day at school, all touch the hearts of the many people we serve.

Equally important to me, in my international work, is the fact that we stand in solidarity with the poor and marginalized all over the world, and students who are being of service to them.  Tashakur! Thank you!

~ Sherri

Glide is more than just a food service for homeless people. It is for people to come who can't support themselves. The reason I go to glide is so that I can experience that part of town and people that I am not usually surrounded by and it just feels good to serve and know that I helped my community. To me even if I'm behind the counter passing bread out I am still helping a lot of people

~ Tia

At Glide, we serve people who are less fortunate. Most of the people who go to Glide are not homeless, they cannot afford to pay for food and housing in the most expensive city in America. I go to Glide because I enjoy volunteering and helping people in need. Today, I worked in the Coffee House for the first 30 minutes. I was transferred to chopping ham because there were not a lot of Coffee House patrons. We needed and wanted to help where we could. My friend Sophia and I chopped ham for sandwiches while listening to 80's music. Volunteering was really fun, and I hope to do it again soon.

~ Henry

When my alarm went off at 5:45 am this morning, the rain was pounding down outside. I had vague memories of being awake just a few hours prior, since I had moved into a new apartment that evening after a professional development session for work that lasted until 6 pm. I was still tired from traveling for the holidays as a series of delays got me back home to San Francisco at 4 am on Monday morning. The last thing I wanted to do after an already crazy week was go out into the cold rain on a dark Wednesday morning. I ultimately sprang to life after remembering the work I used to do in the Tenderloin. I thought of the many homeless seniors I used to serve at the St. Francis Living room, and of the kids I used to teach at the Tenderloin Community School; 25% of whom did not have the privilege of staying in a bed they could call their own. I thought of the kids at PHS who were benefiting immensely from the opportunity to interact with people from a very different world than their own, and I knew I had to witness it. I also remembered how valuable service work is to me--I've always come away from service with a deep gratitude for what I have and valuable perspective about myself and the world. This trip to Glide was no different. I came away from the experience with a renewed sense of the restorative power of discipline and generosity. I'm glad I got out of bed for that.

~ Anjali

Wednesday at Glide was really fun. I served sugar to every one of our guests. I go to Glide to serve and help people who can't always find their own food. I also go to Glide because it is fun and I get to interact with friends that I don't usually get to hang out with.

~ Mina

At Glide my job was to walk around, make people feel welcome, fill up cups, take empty trays and clean tabletops. I serve at Glide because I want to help people and hopefully make another person's day better by serving them food and sharing a smile. I like going because it makes me feel good to help people. We don't only serve food to those that are homeless but serve people who are food insecure. Food insecure is when people aren’t so sure about when or where their next meal will come from.

~ Mariela

My experiences at Glide have been positive. Even when a verbal dispute broke out between two guests - I still enjoyed those three-plus hours of service. I think it is important to serve at Glide because 1 in 4 people in SF are food insecure, and there are too many who are homeless and starving. The people there were gracious and thankful for the food we served. I hope I can make more people feel like that in the future. I went to Glide so people in need of food could satisfy their hunger. I refilled their drinks, help bus trays, and clean tables. I am really satisfied with the service I did at Glide.

~ Montie

I gazed into the eyes of each guest and I saw a kindred spirit. I saw sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends, lovers, mothers, fathers, grandfathers, and grandmothers. Each person has a tender story worth sharing. I showed up and I am filled with gratitude to be able to share mornings filled with giving and compassion. I am thankful to be able to provide comfort and kindness to my fellow mortals.

~ Todd