The Downtown Streets Team Food Closet is located at 425 Hamilton Avenue in Palo Alto (phone: 650-325-3663) on the All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto campus. Entry to the Food Closet is on the Hamilton side of the church. Opening hours:
- Monday – Friday – 10am – 2:30pm
- Thursday: Closed 12 – 1pm for staff meeting
- Sat and Sun – Closed
On average, the Food Closet serves more than 200 people every week, distributing 880 pounds of food. The Food Closet was founded in 1976 by Patsy McAfee, a longtime member of All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto. Donations of food, as well as donations of time to help serve clients, are welcome.
Free Groceries are available at the Food Closet.
Contact: (650) 325-3663.
History
The Food Closet is housed at All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto primarily because of the dedication and vision of the late Patsy McAfee, a long-time All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto parishioner, who saw a need, and gathered others to help make it a reality. Before the new Parish Hall was built in the 1990’s, the Food Closet operated out of our Parish Office; it now is a tenant with its own dedicated space designed as a permanent part of the Parish Hall. All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto parishioners, along with many other community members, serve as regular volunteers at the Food Closet; others respond to weekly email alerts about the most needed food supplies so that they can bring them to be added to the offerings brought to the altar on Sunday morning.
Regular staples on the donation list:
- SOUPS – hearty soups, like Progresso soups with meat, are needed; a good choice of soups would be helpful; any soup especially other than tomato or broth soups welcome! Others: pork ‘n beans, chili, canned yams or sweet potatoes, cranberry in cans, gravy in cans, canned green peas, beets in cans.
- CANNED MEATS — corned beef, spam, vienna sausages, roast beef; Spaghetti-os, ravioli, beef tamales, chicken (any canned “meat” other than tuna would be great!)
- BEVERAGES: Instant coffee, hot chocolate in packets, apple cider, bottled water, Capri Sun drink pouches, but no tea bags for now.
- NON-FOOD ITEMS: travel size shampoo and mouthwash; soap, disposal razors; plastic spoons (not forks or knives please); ziplock bags, toilet tissue, paper towels, cotton socks
- OTHER: dry soups, hot and cold cereals and pasta. jams and jellies. salt and pepper. Grocery bags with handles are always needed!
Service Opportunities:
- Work at the Food Closet and help to distribute food.
- Sign up for weekly email alerts specifying foodstuffs that are most needed.
- Donate food or money.
- Organize a food drive.
- Excellent opportunity for high school students seeking community service experience.