NEW CENTER Development
FOCUS San Francisco
Mission
As an expression of Christ’s love, FOCUS exists to serve the poor by bringing together Orthodox Christian churches and community partners to provide Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding, and Shelter and other assistance to address the needs of local communities.
Vision
We envision a world where everyone experiences and shares the transformative love of Christ.
FOCUS At a Glance:
FOCUS currently operates 11 Centers across the country: everything from homeless shelters and feeding programs to support for expectant mothers and families.
On January 30, about fifty-five (55) people from seven (7) parishes gathered at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Francisco, CA to attend a Kickoff Meeting officially launching the Exploratory Committee process as we develop a new FOCUS Center in the San Francisco metro area.
In San Francisco, our Exploratory Committee (made up of 23 clergy and laity from 7 local parishes) is currently meeting to develop a vision for the ministry. Stay tuned for more details.
Our Exploratory Committee sends regular updates to all local clergy and includes members from the following parishes:
The FOCUS San Francisco Exploratory Committee is developing a plan to host monthly meals at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, building on the parish's weekly drive-up food pantry with additional services. This monthly rhythm of meals will eventually grow into a weekly schedule, complemented by additional services and special events as we discern the needs of our guests.
Not only does the existing food pantry have a long waiting list, but the
San Francisco Food Bank is planning on ending several local distributions. By bringing together area parishes to serve as a united Church, FOCUS
San Francisco can do much to serve people near Holy Trinity and beyond.
Program & Location
Far too many people are slipping through the cracks in San Francisco. More than 1 in 8 residents live below the poverty line, which is well above the national average. Further, 1 in 3 households with children report experiencing food insecurity.
Homelessness is also a serious issue in the city. In 2024, San Francisco counted 2,912 homeless individuals sleeping unsheltered on the streets. This is not a comprehensive number and does not include individuals in temporary or emergency housing.
FOCUS San Francisco will respond to this calling by providing both (i) physical sustenance for our neighbors in need, and (ii) an opportunity for people to come together in community around a shared table.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church currently offers a weekly drive-up food pantry. Our Exploratory Committee is exploring whether we can turn this into a pan-Orthodox FOCUS Center and build on the ministry by adding sit-down meals and other services for the benefit of our neighbors. We could work towards offering at least two weekly ministry opportunities: a drive-up food pantry every Thursday and a sit-down meal on another day of the week which includes other in-person services.
How You Can Help
The Orthodox Vision Foundation granted FOCUS North America a $45,000 matching grant to help spur the development of FOCUS San Francisco. This grant was based upon the budgets of our existing Centers where part-time Center Directors oversee a rhythm of service, based in a local parish, with annual budgets of roughly $90,000 a year.
The Orthodox Vision Foundation has stipulated that, to receive this $45,000 grant, we must:
raise $45,000 by the end of September 2025;
hire a Center Director in the fall; and
commence initial Center operations in the fall.
Donations by check can be mailed to:
FOCUS North America
PO Box 645039
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5039
Please include FOCUS San Francisco in the memo line.
OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
Donate Stock
We’re able to accept donations in the form of stock, government (including municipal) debt and corporate debt through the Depository Trust Company (DTC).
Corporate Matching Gifts
Many companies have charitable matching programs, in which they will match their employees’ charitable contributions. Contact your Human Resources department to find out if your employer will match your gift to FOCUS.
Planned Giving
Learn more about our Legacy Society, including how we handle bequests, beneficiary designations, and donor recognition.
CFC
If you are an employee of the federal government, you can support FOCUS through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by indicating our code on your pledge form: 19541.
Donor Advised Funds
Donor advised funds allow you to combine favorable tax benefits with flexibility in giving. If you have a DAF established, you can recommend a gift to FOCUS using the “DAF Direct” app on our website.
Become a Supporting Parish
Your youth group, women’s or men’s group, or the entire parish can be a vial part of continuing the work of FOCUS North America
For more information on the different ways you can help make FOCUS ministries possible please e-mail our Director of Development, Sarah Werner, at JavaScript required to view address
