Co-Volunteer Coordinators: Evelyn Ellis & Michele Sheehan

Who Are We?

The St. Francis Community Pantry was originally founded with the specific goal of reaching out to offer non-perishable foods to members of the Novato Community who need extra assistance with food insecurity. The Pantry opened in February 2022, and due to various reasons, had to close its doors. After some thought and restructuring using community and parish volunteers, the doors to the St. Francis Community Pantry were opened again in August 2022!  In the course of less than a year, the Pantry has expanded to offer items such as hygiene products, pet food, outdoor sleeping supplies and seasonal clothing while evolving into a thriving community asset. Unlike other Novato food pantries, St. Francis Community Pantry does not ask for any identifying information as a criteria for its use. 

Most Pantry food and other items are donated by both St. Francis Church parishioners and other community members, bringing together a coalition of those who are compassionate for the food security and basic needs of our most vulnerable community neighbors.

Who Do We Serve?

The St. Francis Community Pantry serves a variety of patrons experiencing many different situations - people who are homeless, unemployed, underemployed, single parents, low-income families and seniors with real faces, real stories and real needs, with some of those needs being fulfilled by church and community members. Currently, the Pantry is open two days a week for two hours shifts and has expanded from serving 11 visitors in August 2022 to 87 visitors in June 2023. 

The 2025 annual numbers have been tabulated and for the entire year of 2025 we served 3,655 patrons, 2,847 adults and 808 children. Up from 2024, when we served 2,084 adult patrons.  

In the past year, the crew of St. Francis Community Pantry have witnessed many changes – ebbs and flows -- like the seasons. Needs have changed, people have come and gone, some have returned, and the reality is that our Pantry has continued to be vital to many members of the Novato Community.

Celebrating our Successes!

On September 20, 2026 we celebrated our 4th year being hosted on the St. Francis campus.  We had a blessing, speeches and CAKE! Thanks to all who attended and to all who make this ministry a success! Here are some photos of the day - 

Fall Harvest - Giving Wagon Odes

Marin Primary & Middle School in Larkspur celebrates the Fall Harvest every year with a giving table where the school community donates fresh vegetables, and the school then donates that produce to a worthy group. The St. Francis Community Pantry was selected to receive these donations. We received these food donations on October 9th, but on top of that generous gift, we also received a bounty of poems and artwork from Daydra Bell and her 7th grade Humanities students. 

Thank you so much for your generosity!

Here is a slideshow of the Giving Wagon Odes - 

Donation Item Ideas

St. Francis Community Pantry depends on collective donations in order to run its establishment. 

We continue to request a variety of canned or packaged foods and personal hygiene toiletry items.  Here are ideas for food and hygiene and grooming items that we generally carry:  

Open Hours

The St. Francis Community Pantry is currently open 2 days a week for serving patrons and accepting donations. 

• Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:00 

• Sundays      Noon - 2:00

Cash Donations and Volunteering Opportunities

In addition, cash donations will be accepted during the offering collection at the Sunday church service or online via the church's new donations management software Tithe.ly. 

For Online Giving Using Tithe.ly's Website  CLICK HERE 

Since the Pantry’s inception, the Pantry has consistently been staffed with approximately 16 – 20 volunteers, with both local volunteers and some living outside Novato. Our volunteers, ranging from retirees to middle school students, are hosts to the Pantry. We have members of the St. Francis congregation, community members, as well as patrons themselves, all wanting to help serve. We practice Volunteer Appreciation several times a year, finding it important to continue volunteer retainment.

If you have any spare time, please offer an hour or two to help keep the Pantry doors open. 

Major Donors

We couldn't do this effort without our Major Donors. We would like to give a special thank you to these 2026 funding sources:

 Episcopal Impact Fund - $750

A Simple Gesture

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with A Simple Gesture, who in conjunction with The Rotary Club and Redwood Credit Union, collects nonperishable food donations and delivers them to food pantries in Marin County. They have chosen us to work with! Please click the link below to see how you can be involved! 

Saturday May 2nd delivery day from "A Simple Gesture"

ExtraFood

We are receiving twice weekly donations of fresh foods from ExtraFood.  THANK YOU!!!!

ExtraFood's mission is to end hunger and wasted food in the Bay Area, California. 

They recover excess fresh food from businesses, schools, and gardens and immediately deliver it to people facing food insecurity.

See their website for more information. (https://extrafood.org/) 

Matthew 25 - Welcome The Stranger

In the spirit of Matthew 25, our ministry has welcomed the stranger who has been left out and left behind by providing a helping hand. It is only when a person’s most basic needs are met that one can become self-reliant.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

Gratitude 

The Pantry Committee and the Pantry Patrons are grateful for your support in keeping this ministry alive!! Together, we have made a difference in many people’s lives. Thank you!!

Additional Information

If you have questions about donations or volunteering to help with the Community Pantry, please contact Evelyn Ellis & Michele Sheehan by emailing using the link above or by calling the church's main number at (415) 892-1600 and speak to Nova Alexander.