Glide

Glide… where Homeless people come off the streets lonely, afraid, uncared for, unloved and then get SCREAMED at by Glide «security» staff for the most minor offenses like:
1. Having a runny nose.
2. Hugging a friend.
3. «Almost» stepping in poop.
4. Looking at someone else’s bag who is about 20 ft away and half way down the block.
If you think Glide is this wonderful place where homeless people are adored and loved then you’ve been thoroughly brain washed by their promo videos. Just dress up real casual and get in line and experience it the way every homeless person does. It’s not so fun.
The only thing «radically inclusive» about Glide are the ingredients that go into the gumbo. Their motto is «Hey, their homeless! They’ll eat anything!» The chemical taste in the food turned out to be bad meat that had been circulating. But why did it take Glide so long to figure that out? Doesn’t anyone on kitchen staff actually taste the food before they give to homeless people?
Most of the time the food really isn’t that bad. The worst part of it is the «security» team. Which makes you feel about as safe as when the Rolling Stones hired Hells Angels to do crowd control at Altamont. If you’ve got mental problems, no high school education and a criminal record, hey don’t worry, there is a career for you at Glide keeping homeless people in line.
For instance, I’m standing in line minding my own business when this overly officious dude in a yellow jacket starts pushing homeless people up against the wall because he’s afraid someone is going to spit in someone else’s food tray. I have been eating at Glide for years. Never saw anyone spit in someone else’s tray. It is a Complete and total fabrication and an excuse to abuse people. Then a woman behind me sees a friend of hers and gives him a hug. Security immediately steps in and and separates them. So I said «Hey! She’s allowed to hug her friend!». He immediately calls for back up. Tells me to step out of line. I’m swarmed with security all over me yelling in my face and blocking my entrance to the dining hall. He tries to rip my meal ticket out of my hand. Pretty sure that’s not in the training manual. What a joke this place is.
Glide has a budget that is over $ 4 million a year. They get at least $ 2 million from Warren Buffet and then another $ 2 million from the City of San Francisco. But they can’t hire proper security staff, train and supervise them properly so they aren’t abusing the homeless people they claim to helping.
So many homeless people I know absolutely refuse to eat at Glide. Preferring the slightly less abusive security staff at St. Anthony’s. Or Martin De Porres which has no security staff and surprisingly fewer incidents. Think there might be a correlation? Hmmm… maybe…

This is not my regular church, but I cam with my partner because I like Glide so much.
It was not packed so we got our usual seats on the right side. As always, the choir was great and the energy was contagious.
The guest minister was also great — very young and enthusiastic.
I look forward to my next visit.

finding that Rev Williams is still alive and active was great! My visit there was back in the 80s. I recall the music and would go for that alone. last time we ate there and felt well welcome even though w had normal income, etc. Thanks for giving much to us. Sara

come here for the free meals and food good place rev cecil is still alive and kicking went to church here once or twice too on sunday

My husband and I signed up to serve meals during the holidays this year. We signed up for the first morning shift on Thanksgiving. It was truly a humbling day of loving kindness.
We had signed up weeks ago for the event because we really wanted to make sure we could be a part of it. With that in mind, we had been looking forward to partaking in this for a long time! It was nice when the time finally came to help out. We headed out very early on Thanksgiving morning (around 5am) to make it to the church by around 6:15am for the 6:30am shift. By the way, don’t park at the Hilton parking garage! We had to pay $ 47 because we didn’t do our research and look up the other much less expensive options in the area– whoops!
Anyway, when we arrived, the church was already hustling to prepare for the day and the vibes were super positive and uplifting. We were greeted by almost everybody that we ran into including other volunteers and people waiting outside for their meals. It was a very beautiful feeling, and we just felt right at home.
We were directed to head upstairs where we checked in with the staff and were given hair nets, gloves, and aprons. We waited until it was time to get to work, and then headed into the dining room to get started. We were so excited, and everybody was really looking forward to pitching in and being part of such an optimistic team this holiday.
The first thing I noticed was that the dining hall was very COLD. The windows were open, and it was a brittle morning, so that cool air did not feel good to me personally. Though the service was so helpful and generous, I immediately regretted checking in my coat and hat with the Glide staff. I resisted going back to get them because I had my mind set on the task at hand, and that was to help others. I just stuck it out and tried not to think about being cold. There are worse things.
The gentleman in charge showed everybody to their job, and everybody was happy to be assigned wherever he needed them. He explained the tasks, and people caught on quickly. It was really interesting how the entire process just flowed organically and was very effective right off the bat. There were no issues! Not that I saw at least. Everybody just got to work and made this special day happen!
I was in charge of folding plastic utensils into a napkin. I think I prepared a couple hundred of them! It was awesome. From there, my husband took the utensils and put them into cups. Then, another young lady took the cups and handed them to the guest before they headed over to receive their meals. It was an organized chain of events, and EVERY person played a vital role.
I loved getting to greet the guests and wish them a happy holiday. Some people even thanked us for volunteering which was really really sweet and thoughtful. I spent a lot of time observing others, and saw a lot of gratitude happening. People were grateful for the meals they received, they were happy to see the volunteers, happy to see the Glide staff, happy to be inside and safe, and just happy to be alive. It was unlike anything I had seen in a long time. It taught me a lot about the importance of perspective. I could have spent the morning complaining about being cold and missing my jacket, but it was the guests that morning that truly taught me an unforgettable Thanksgiving lesson… just keep in mind the little things. Those little things are… everything. I could instead focus on my good health, my legs that held me up, my eyes that help me see the beauty of the world and the beautiful smiling faces, my brain that allows me to function and enjoy life, my heart that helps me to see and feel compassion for others… and so on and so on.
This was a wonderful opportunity to have had at Glide, and I am so glad that my husband and I were able to be part of such an important, valuable event for the local communtiy. We were honored to have been there on Thanksgiving, and will be honored to be there again in the future.
Thank you sooooo much Glide staff and volunteers! Every single thing you do; from a little smile to serving a meal, to offering a helping hand, makes a difference. You enrich lives not only around you, but your own life as well. You become a better person when you spend your time in the service of others. In this world that struggles with suffering and pain, you are creating a ripple that transforms fear and pain into loving kindness. With enough time and patience, we can change the world!
Love to all beings!

I’ve been struggling with how to update this now that I’m leaving the fold. Today, speaking with another transgender churchgoer at City of Refuge today, I got the perfect summary. He said this:
«I like Glide. I like it here better, though. Here, you can be yourself.»
This may seem odd, given what I said before, but there were things that over time began me on the road to leaving. One was that the experience I had with strangers one day was not the same I had consistently. Because it’s a tourist destination… heck, first stop on the Tales of the City tour… the majority of people any given Sunday morning are not members. This means that any reaction you may get outside… purse clutched, children pulled away and ‘shielded’ from you, people making excuses to get the hell away from you and sit somewhere else, people turning their back and refusing any contact with you… these things may well happen to you there. Indeed, it absolutely will if you continue to go week after week and are visibly ‘other’.
It also bears mentioning that while we are welcome there, and transfolk are most certainly a significant part of Glide at the lay level, when it comes to the pastoral level there’s not really much understanding. No animosity, don’t get me wrong, but when it comes to cultural competence with transgender specific issues… well. They tend to see trans as an exotic flavor of gay, rather than understanding that we intersect with any sexual orientation, and when you refer only to people being welcome whomever we love or whatever our sexual orientation, you are not using trans inclusive language. Indeed, when you one offers welcome based on sexual orientation and not gender identity, you are not putting out the welcome mat for transgender people. It may seem a minor point, but many of us have been rejected at every turn, even from those we thought accepting and omitting a statement that falls JUST short of «transgender» makes a statement I’m not sure they know they’re making. There’s no hatred of us from the pastors by any stretch of the imagination. They’re all lovely individuals. It’s simply that trans issues seems to be outside their area of focus. Indeed, when they list the people who they specifically welcome at the beginning of a service, they mention addicts, homeless … and, yes, gays… this is their focus. There’s only one person who will mention transgender people at all, and he’s an intern. So, if talk of and specific mention of transgender and our unique political, cultural, and spiritual needs is important to you, this may not be your place. There are a thousand reasons this may be the church for you, but if trans specificity something you need, you won’t get it here. You will be welcome, and that’s not nothing. But your transness won’t be discussed from the pulpit.
And honestly, the last thing that’s leading me away is that the church is pretty much a fundraiser for the Glide Foundation. It’s a sales pitch. And if you’re too resourced to be a client, but not resourced enough to give much (or not a fit for available volunteer time due to disability)… again, you’re welcome, but you may end up feeling like you’re outside the model in some significant way.
Glide is still a wonderful community. I like Glide. I like City of Refuge better, though. I can be myself there.

A Community where everybody feels welcome. The sermons are thought provoking and the music is absolutely wonderful.

I went back again to Glide this friday to see if they made any improvements since my last complaint also went to the City Health Dept. But yet again I was served the exact same meal of Gumbo that tasted like chemicals. Perhaps mold. Perhaps some cleaning fluid or bug spray got in there. I could see this happening once. But TWICE! Come on! These guys are very sloppy,

Awesome church! Great ministry… Feeds the poor daily… Addiction help. Homeless ministry… Free healthcare… Great Sunday celebrations! Everyone welcome… No judgements… Pure love! You will NEVER regret a visit!

Amazing experience volunteering here on a wednesday dinner time. The staff are so pleasant and nice. As the building is not the nicest and cleanest place, I can tell the staff manages to keep this place clean.
I was responsible for collecting tickets for people that came in and I can’t help to feel sooo energic and happy greeting each one of them because I feel like I’m doing something good that day. This experience changes me and I can’t wait to come back and do it all over again!
Oh and they give you free food after too! Thank you!

I have only belonged to four churches, and I proudly joined Glide Memorial when I lived in the Bay Area.
The main reason I choose not to join most churches is because they generally exclude people, maybe even unintentionally. Glide is all about inclusion. All are welcome. I attended Glide back when they had the door huggers, NO ONE left unhugged, and just to really put that all in the Cecil Williams LOVE perspective– it was during the peak of the AIDS crisis, including a lot of misunderstanding about the disease.
I don’t know if they still do it, but I used to just park my car on the side of the street where directed, leave the keys in it and the parking staff would keep an eye on them. Get here early, and prepare for a wonderful experience, including the wonderful Glide Memorial Choir. I never left here unmoved. I also had some great breakfasts in and around the Tenderloin. And if you’ve got some time to donate, spend some time in the soup kitchen and prepare to do some good. Glide prepares 3 nutritious meals a day, 364 days a year, for up to 3000 people a day. You cannot watch that food line wrap around the church and not be changed. There are many other ways to volunteer if you want to connect.
Cecil Williams wrought a beautiful model here of what it means to be a church that loves EVERYONE, even people from Marin. All churches could benefit from adding some of the Cecil Williams LOVE Factor.
A major hurdle here remains on how to hand off to the next generation of Leaders, more than one have tried. Goddess bless.

I have only belonged to four churches (and I move a lot), and I instantly and proudly joined Glide Memorial when I lived in the Bay Area.
The main reason I choose not to join most churches is because they generally exclude people, maybe even unintentionally. Glide is all about inclusion. All are welcome. I attended Glide back when they had the door huggers, NO ONE left unhugged, and just to really put that all in the Cecil Williams LOVE perspective– it was during the peak of the AIDS crisis, including a lot of misunderstanding about the disease.
I don’t know if they still do it, but I used to just park my car on the side of the street where directed, leave the keys in it and the parking staff would keep an eye on them. Get here early, and prepare for a wonderful experience, including the wonderful Glide Memorial Choir. I never left here unmoved. I also had some great breakfasts in and around the Tenderloin. And if you’ve got some time to donate, spend some time in the soup kitchen and prepare to do some good. Glide prepares 3 nutritious meals a day, 364 days a year, for up to 3000 people a day. You cannot watch that food line wrap around the church and not be changed. There are many other ways to volunteer if you want to connect.
Cecil Williams wrought a beautiful model here of what it means to be a church that loves EVERYONE, even people from Marin. All churches could benefit from adding some of the Cecil Williams LOVE Factor.
A major hurdle here remains on how to hand off to the next generation of Leaders, more than one have tried. Goddess bless.

Hope.
Uplifting song:
Uplifting message:
Banner with the word «Hope» greets you as you arrive at one of San Francisco’s most important institutions. As a volunteer in the kitchen it is your opportunity to serve it.
Experience proved to be both inspiring and humbling. Small decisions here or there and any of us could have switched places. We should never forget that.
Give time. Give hope.

I went there for service and left empty, totally empty. Empty feeling. The Japanese lady (wife of the king of Ellis st) was talking — oh!!! That was a empty message. I will NO go back!!! Thanks Glide but you are all about «PR and money» stop!

I’ve served a meal here a few times (through my company and on my own) and they’ve all been incredible experiences. You have to do this if you live in SF, period. Glide is world famous so if you’re a tourist this is a REAL opportunity to face one of the most controversial and toughest issues of homelessness in SF.
Also went to an Easter Sunday service here. I’m not religious, and really enjoyed the sermon and the message being directed to all people and beliefs. Plus being surrounded by people from all corners of the community and the world who are all coming together is people at its greatest. Put down your guard for 1 hour, suspend any prejudice against churches and congregations (I have them too)… You won’t regret it

You cannot call yourself a San Franciscan if you have not done at least one shift (or been served) at Glide.

I’ve volunteered with less well-​organized shelters before; my dinner shift here was impressively well-​run.

Few people know the truth about GLIDE! Cecil Williams and his wife pay each other in excess of $ 100,000 per year from the voluntary donations! They are scoundrels and crooks and should be arrested. They should burn in hell for taking precious resources from the poor to enrich themselves! Shame on them! Will never go to Glide Again… they are devils!

I’ve volunteered for food serving duties on two past ocassions, and came away feeling glad to help and appreciate the work they do in the City. This past weekend we decided to go to the 11:00 Sunday service as I have never been.
Disclaimer: I was raised in a somewhat traditional Lutheran church and have attended on/​off over the years in the various cities that I have lived in.
Glide’s service on Sunday left me feeling confused when I left. What was that 90 minutes that I just experienced? The music and choir were good. The crowd was engaged. The people around me were welcoming and friendly. A lot of ‘first timers’ raised our hands. The 15 min sermon was about hope and inspiration… I think. Because honestly, 70 minutes in and at that point I was starting to get frustrated and really can not remember the message. Frustrated… in church. Not the feeling that I want to have.
It felt like an info commercial. A lot of welcoming of people, a lot of money and donation talk, a lot of announcements about their events, a lot of talk about their book, etc. etc.
I feel like I can say I have BTDT now. I wanted more substance. I wanted more inspiration. I just wanted more…
Not my preferred choice, but certainly recognize they meet the needs of many.

Took a tour of the rooftop garden. So many herbs and vegetables I have never heard of. Tasted many things as part of the tour. Got to see the honey bees also. Honey was going to be gathered that afternoon. Another example of Glide’s positive influence in the Tenderloin. City children learn how to plant, care for, harvest and cook with the vegetables and herbs.

Everyone in my family has lent a hand at glide.
Great place to help some very nice and thankful people.
From stocking their pantry’s, preparing their meals, serving the meals, and cleaning up… we have all done it.
Sometimes there are too many volunteers (aka high school community hours) that volunteers have nothing to do.
None the less Glide is an amazing place that helps a lot of people

Serve a Meal. Make a Difference.
Back in 2006, while watching «The Pursuit of Happyness» at AMC Van Ness and seeing how Chris Garnder (real life rags-​to-​riches story) found his daily nutritional sustenance through Glide, I told my then BF that I wanted to start volunteering at Glide. Gauging by the look on his face, he thought I lost my marbles. Well, apparently I did since I was with him which is why he’s an ex now.
Six years later, my desire to volunteer at Glide finally came into fruition.
I arrived on Sunday morning like it was my first day of school. Not knowing what to expect, I was excited but scared.
As I put on my plastic apron, hairnet, and plastic gloves (ohh yeah, sexy time), I was ready for anything. The soup kitchen manager pointed at me and motioned me to come over. That day, I was the denoted as the «broccoli babe». Scoop broccoli? Piece of cake.
Boy, was I in for a RUDE AWAKENING.
From 11:30 AM — 1:30 PM, trays kept flying at me for me to scoop broccoli into a tiny hole before handing it off to the bread man. Between scooping 820 scoops of broccoli (yes, you read right), lifting the hot trays, and handing it off to the next person, my arms had never had such an intense work out. BEST. ARM. WORKOUT. EVER. Watch out now, Shake Weight!
During lunch service, I watched people from all ages and ethnicities come in. The comradery of the volunteers was a success as the smile on everyone’s faces and the genuine warmthness filled the entire cafeteria kitchen. This made every scoop of broccoli worth it BUT I never want to see a floret for a long, long time.
On average, Glide serves 2,560 meals a day. That day, we served 820 meals during lunch. All this is not possible without the help of volunteers.
Serve a Meal. Make a Difference.
Glide fed Chris Gardner and his toddler son when they were both homeless. Today, Chris Garnder is a multimillionaire that wears a $ 10,000 watch on each wrist, a Cartier on the right and a Roger Dubuis on the left so he always knows what time it is in South Africa where’s he’s currently setting up at investment venture at.
You NEVER know whose life YOU will make a difference in…
OTHER NOTES:
*Glide served 934,000 meals last year (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
*Most paid kitchen employees are former meal recipients
*Minimum age to volunteer is 12 years with a signed waiver from parent/​guardian
*Dress comfortably and accordingly; it gets HOT in the kitchen area with the steam trays
*Street parking is difficult on Sundays because of church service. The parking lot across the street is $ 13 (flat rate)