14th Annual SF TURKEY DRIVE
The 2024 SF Turkey Drive was a big success! We collected 1,246 turkeys ready to prepare over 55,000 meals for the hungry in our community. THANK YOU DONORS AND WELL WISHERS FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR!!!
Let's get ready now for the 2025 SF Turkey Drive happening on the following dates:
November 22 & December 20, 2025
FOOD IS GIFT THAT CAN BE A LIFELINE
YOU SELECT THE BENEFICIARY/IES OF YOUR DONATION:
(1) San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(2) St. Francis Living Room
(3) St. Anthony Foundation
This is a Holiday Neighborhood Initiative in collaboration with St. Emydius Church in the Ingleside District of San Francisco
My name is Pierre Smit, and I started the SF Turkey Drive in 2012 from my home in Merced Heights, San Francisco. Every year, for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we partner with St. Emydius Church to collect turkeys and monetary donations to help feed the hungry. 100% of your donations go directly to the nonprofit of your choice from the following three organizations:
- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank: perishable food* collected, and donations directed to SFMFB; Click HERE for details.
- St. Francis Living Room: non-perishable food**, and donations directed to SFLR; Click HERE for more details.
- St. Anthony Foundation: monetary donations directed to SAF; Click HERE for details.
* Perishable Food includes turkeys (preferably frozen) and fresh vegetables; plus hams in December.
** Non-Perishable Food includes peanut-butter, jam/jelly, oatmeal, coffee beans, tuna cans, etc.
Their Missions:
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank: to end hunger in our own community.
St. Francis Living Room: to offer a safe haven and a healthy breakfast to homeless & low-income seniors (60+) in San Francisco's Tenderloin.
St. Anthony Foundation: to feed, heal, shelter, clothe, lift the spirits of those in need.
FOOD IS GIFT THAT CAN BE A LIFELINE
What does a gift of turkeys means: simply that food is a gift that can be a lifeline for many of our neighbors.
In 2025, with food insecurity rising this season, together we can also bring dignity where it's needed most. Your gift of a turkey, a warm meal, or a helping hand means more than food — it restores hope, comfort, and belonging to families struggling through these difficult times.
From Thanksgiving through Christmas, your generosity fills empty plates and hearts alike. Join us in sharing the true spirit of the holidays by bringing turkeys, spreading kindness, and passing the love.
Click HERE for ABC7 News Bay Area (Dec 2024)
Click HERE for KPIX CBS News Report (Nov 2024)
Click HERE for KPIX CBS News Report (Nov 2022)
Click HERE for an ABC News Report (Nov 2021)
Click HERE for KPIX CBS News Report (Nov 2023)
As the Executive Director of St. Francis Living Room, an organization that welcomes homeless and low-income seniors in the Tenderloin, I see firsthand the vital importance of a meal for those with so little—often struggling with poor health and great hardship. From what I witness daily, I can attest that this year's message is clear: simple gifts of food can be a lifeline for so many and fight hunger—they bring peace and hope to lives that need it most.
Please join our 2025 campaign. The SF Turkey Drive runs through November and December to help our beneficiaries provide meals during the holidays and throughout the year. Whether it's your first time or your 14th, consider the impact we've made together: in the past five years, the SF Turkey Drive has helped prepare over 300,000 meals. And yes, at its core, it's all about feeding the hungry.
The SF Turkey Drive looks forward to welcoming you at our drop-off site on Saturdays, November 22 and December 20. Donations by mail or online can be made anytime throughout November and December.
Thank you for your continued support—your gift of food truly becomes their gift of life.
HOPE IS ON THE TABLE—THANKS TO YOU! This season, as need grows and resources shrink, your generosity is more vital than ever. Step up to fill empty plates and warm weary hearts—bring a turkey or more, make a donation, or lend a hand. Together, we restore dignity and hope, one meal at a time.
Click HERE to select the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank as your SF Turkey Drive 2025 beneficiary.
Click HERE to select the St. Francis Living Room as your SF Turkey Drive 2025 beneficiary.
Click HERE to select the St. Anthony Foundation as your SF Turkey Drive 2025 beneficiary.
To volunteer at the SF Turkey Drive, please click HERE.
Patrick, Volunteer since 2013 (taped in 2020)
"I Like To Teach" by the McDonald family recorded in 2020 for the Thanksgiving Drive
Art, Donor since 2013 (recorded in 2020)
The collaboration between St. Anthony's and SF Turkey Drive at St. Emydius plays a very large role in our ability to meet the demand by donating more than 500 Turkeys and other much needed food each year.
Barry J Stenger, St Anthony's 2018 Exec. Director
As a member of this neighborhood, I support and have assisted the SF Turkey Drive in its efforts to feed those in need.
Hunger is a real issue in our city and our
neighborhood. I hope everyone can assist Mr. Smit to reach those in need.
Melissa Y.
The SFTurkey Drive at St. Emydius Church has been conducted under the leadership of Mr. Pierre Smit, for several years. This has and will be our way of helping to feed those less fortunate. I personally have been a supporter of St. Anthony's for several years as this organization has helped so many individuals and families.
Arthur M.
Picture: Faces at St. Anthony
Mailing Address Contact: Pierre Smit
SF Turkey Drive Email: SFPierre@aol.com
c/o St. Emydius Church Phone: 415-939-2410
286 Ashton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112