St. Anthony's Foundation serves hope along with a hot meal in SF this Christmas

SAN FRANCSICO (KGO) -- St. Anthony's Foundation in the Tenderloin served 1,500 meals to guests Christmas day.

For 73 years St. Anthony's Foundation has been serving guests a hot meal on Christmas, and for 20 years the Wasserman family has been volunteering to help.

"This is Josh, and he was seven when we started doing this," said Sharon Wasserman.

"It's a very important part of our tradition. It taught me at a very early age the importance of working community service into your life and your schedule," said her son, Josh Wasserman.

MORE: Hundreds in need gather in SF's Mission District for free coats ahead of Christmas

Allison Wasserman, now 32 and living in Los Angeles, travels back to San Francisco to volunteer every year.

"I honestly, like, I can't remember not doing it," she said.

"We love the mission, and the message, and yeah, we could be doing anything, but we get up, and this is what we do, now it's part of our tradition," said Sharon Wasserman.

"Just trying to help other people instead of staying home and unwrapping presents or whatever," said Steven Wasserman.

MORE: SF Salvation Army sees 30% increase in families seeking 'Angel Tree' help this holiday season

"This is a great opportunity for us to connect with our community, connect with our guests and serve them a warm meal but at the same time serve them a smile as well," said St. Anthony's Foundation Interim CEO Bryan Young.

Christopher Harris appreciated being able to spend his Christmas there.

"I have no family here. They're all back on the east coast, and this is a blessing, just to have a hot meal on Christmas Day," Harris said.

The difference St. Anthony's makes extends beyond the holidays.

MORE: Alameda Co. first responders play 'Santa' to grant 8-year-old girl's Christmas wish for baby brother

David Wheat says he used to sleep outside St. Anthony's -- addicted to crystal meth and with nothing left. Nine months ago he changed his life with their help.

"My life is so much better now. It's so much better without it," Wheat said.

Now he works at St. Anthony's in guest services.

"I was finally ready to change. I was at my wits end. I had no hope left," Wheat said.

Hope -- what St. Anthony's is serving every day, along with chicken, vegetables and whole lot of brownies this Christmas.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live