St. Mary's has a long tradition of helping our neighbors in need. Some activities have included cooking and serving at Raphael House, helping renovate homes for the elderly and the Episcopal Charities walk-a-thon. Our outreach fundraiser allows us to provide grants to eligible organizations.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy - Thank you to all who helped make this event a great success.  Many donated as benefactors, purchased greens and baked and bought goodies at the Pantry Sale.  We raised $37,000 to help many organizations who provide services to those in our community.

Raphael House: First Monday of the month - cooking starts at 3:00 PM and serving begins at 5:00 PM

Preparing Food at Raphael House

Night Ministry Needs New Crisis Line Counselors - For over a decade very special St. Mary’s parishioners have served as Night Ministry crisis line counselors. Volunteers serve one evening or more each month answering calls from San Franciscans in need. The Night Ministry provides transportation for volunteers who require it. There also is abundant parking available. Before becoming a counselor, volunteers undergo extensive training, including presentations by psychologists, social workers, clergy, and law enforcement personnel, all expert in assisting San Franciscans with needs ranging from a sympathetic ear to referrals to social service agencies. Those interested please contact Br. Jude Hill at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling the Night Ministry at (415) 441–0123. Messages left during daytime hours will be answered no later than the next day.

Sandwiches for Seniors - Our parish community has launched a new outreach service in response to the funding cuts to Canon Kip Senior Center. Canon Kip is supported by Episcopal Community Services (ECS) and serves homeless and at risk seniors. As part of Canon Kip’s service, a hot meal is served daily at noon to any senior in their program. Funding cuts have forced ECS to close Canon Kip’s Sunday lunch service. Various parishes have taken on providing and serving bag lunches to close this gap. St.Mary’s is responsible for the 4th Sunday of each month.

This easy project takes only a few hours. It consists of adding a few extra groceries to your weekly basket at Costco or Safeway, setting up 60 brown bags, making 60 basic meat and cheese sandwiches, filling the bags with sandwiches, fruit and a cookie, and serving them on Sunday morning at Canon Kip House (8th and Natoma) to 60 grateful seniors who are living on the brink. They have open hearts, appreciative smiles and some great stories to share. If you are interested, please call Sheri or Michael Coholan at 415-921-3308 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Episcopal Senior Communities-Senior Resources has partnered with The San Francisco Ministry to Nursing Homes (Eldergivers) to match their volunteers with a homebound elder. In 1985, Rector Richard Fowler of St. Mary the Virgin founded this ministry to serve elders in nursing homes who were isolated from family and friends. Today Eldergivers focuses on bringing art teachers to those elders in assisted living and board and care facilities. A compassionate presence in the life of one who is isolated and alone can truly make a difference toward meeting the social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the elders. A volunteer's presence and gift of time on a regular basis can have a major effect on an older person's well being.

Our volunteers receive extensive training in the psychosocial needs of elders, interpersonal and listening skills and ongoing support. If you know of an older adult who would benefit from this service, or if you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Josie McGann at 415 752-0139.

Requirements Volunteers participate in an all day training to familiarize themselves with the needs of elderly and to help diminish fears or reservations they have about visiting. Two visits per month are desirable, but most volunteers tend to do more than required.
E-mail or call for an application
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 415 752-0139