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