During this very special holiday season, I would like to give thanks to our supporters, volunteers, board members and staff.  Reflecting over the years since we established our 501c3 in early 2016, I am blessed to report that we have flourished, shaping a shelter dedicated to providing refuge and resources to those in need in our Tucson community.

I would like to highlight a few special projects that we have focused on over the years:

Our Food Pantry, led by Shawn, Terry, Margie, Bob, Rick, Fred, Patrick and Linda, has for years been providing food, hygiene products and clothing for hundreds of our neighbors. We work together with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, including their Caridad Community Kitchen, helping to provide free food for anyone in need.

Our summer cooling shelter in conjunction with the Z Mansion, has just completed another season providing hundreds of our less fortunate neighbors a place to rest during the hot days of summer, offering shade, food, cold drinks, and medical care.

Our St. Francis Community staff has continued to provided security, maintenance, and landscaping services for Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

We also continue to provide bridge housing for our ‘houseless’ veterans at our All-Saints House. Special thanks to Old Pueblo Community Services (OPCS) with whom we provide moving services for those receiving housing in our community.

I would like to give thanks to our Director of Operations, Shawn Milligan, for his daily kindness, dedication and focus on continuing to connect with likeminded organizations to continue to provide additional services that are desperately needed in our community.

I would like to give thanks to our amazing staff including Leo, Robert, Mike and Fred. These compassionate men are the backbone of our shelter, and their daily efforts make the St. Francis Shelter successful.

I am grateful also to Carl Zawatski, whose is enjoying a much-needed sabbatical, for his vision. Carl pointed us in the direction to do the work that really makes our community a better place.

I am especially grateful to Brother David Buer, OFM, who in his Franciscan spirit reminds us daily of the importance of human dignity of each person.

Our future is bright with new projects in the works including our fundraising to purchase mobile showers and provide convenient opportunities for those who live on our streets to take a hot shower.

As always, it is because of your support that we can continue forward in our ministry to the poor and the hungry and try our best to make our Tucson Community a better place.

With your support we can continue to flourish.

I ask that you please take a moment to donate either via PayPal.  Please use the link to our "Donate" page listed on the navigation bar at the top of the page, or send a check to:

• St. Francis Shelter, P.O. Box 65752, Tucson, AZ  85728

Remember, St Francis Shelter is an AZ Qualified Charitable Organization, so your donation is eligible for an AZ Tax Credit – Tax Credits are a way for Arizona taxpayers to direct their taxes to causes that are important to them.

Blessings to you and yours,

Charles ‘Chuck’ Dunn, KM

“Interim” Executive Director