What began in 1969 as an all volunteer Monday night potluck for 50 street people today serves nearly 950,000 meals a year, making Glide one of the largest providers in San Francisco.
Glide is also the only program in town that provides three nutritious meals to the city’s poor, homeless and hungry 364 days of the year.
This amazing feat is accomplished in a snug church kitchen commercial grade and two small dining rooms that together can accommodate only 200 people at a time. On special days such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, upwards of 5,000 meals are served in one continuous eight-hour period.
Glide strives to serve its meals in an atmosphere of respect, acceptance and love. For some who come to eat, Glide may be the only safe and welcoming environment they experience in a day’s time.
All of this requires the talents of 27 staff members who come primarily from the ranks of the people who eat at Glide -- the poor, homeless, formerly incarcerated and those with successful recovery from substances and addictions. The staff is supported by tens of thousands of volunteers each year who lend their service.
The dining hall is reserved for Seniors only from 7:30am - 8:00am daily. Breakfast is served daily from 8 am to 9 am, and lunch from noon to 1:30 pm. Dinners are served Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, and bagged dinners are given away at lunch time on weekends.
Meals are regularly monitored by a licensed nutritionist who advises program management on menu planning and content.
All meals are served at 330 ELLIS STREET. For information on the Glide Daily Free Meals Program, please call (415) 674-6043.