Food for Thought 2025: Everyone Has a Seat at This Table
Everyone has a seat at this table.
Today, we’re thrilled to officially launch Food for Thought 2025 – our 16th annual celebration of community, education, and the transformative power of coming together around a shared belief: every San Francisco student deserves the chance to thrive.
This isn’t just our annual fundraising campaign. It’s a month-long community celebration where your action creates opportunities for over 3,800 students and families across San Francisco. From September 15 through October 15, we’re inviting you to be part of something bigger – a movement that proves when we invest in our young people together, incredible things happen.
What Makes Food for Thought Special
Food for Thought brings together everything we love about our city: amazing local restaurants, generous community members, passionate volunteers, and families working toward their dreams. This year’s goal of $115,000 will provide critical support across all our programs – from after-school support that combines academics with hands-on STEAM activities, to our College Connect program’s six-year journey guiding first-generation students from high school to career launch, to our Parent Partner Program empowering Spanish-speaking families to navigate educational systems.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Donate: Every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar through October 15, up to $60,000 – turning your $50 into $100, your $100 into $200
- Dine Out, Do Good: October 6-12, enjoy incredible food at our partner restaurants while supporting students
- Share the Love: Help us spread the word to friends, family, and colleagues
And here’s a little extra motivation: every donation automatically enters you to win amazing prizes from local businesses, including our grand prize – a trip for two to San Miguel de Allende with airfare and a week’s stay at La Casa de las Estrellas!
A Few Voices from Our Community
What truly makes Food for Thought special is the incredible network of support that surrounds our students and families. Here are just a few of the voices that inspire us:
At Flynn Elementary, they’re expanding social-emotional learning with a new Wellness Coordinator and launching an exciting math pilot. “What’s particularly exciting is that it allows us to see how a more personalized approach can help students build confidence in math.”
Gaby Rodriguez, Director of our Parent Partner Program sees the ripple effects daily: “A shy student steps out of their comfort zone to facilitate a presentation – inspired by watching their mother lead an ELAC meeting with confidence. This is what family empowerment looks like: no matter where you are, it’s never too late to learn and take leadership.”
SPARK Social SF, one of our restaurant partners, puts it perfectly: “SPARK Social is a launchpad for local food entrepreneurs—each vendor brings a story, a dream, and something unique. When we support Mission Graduates through Food for Thought, every meal becomes a chance to invest in our community’s future.”
We’re also grateful to our corporate sponsors – Arrow Benefits Group, Arkus, Atherton & Associates LLP, Be the Change Consulting, Five Star Bank, Camp Galileo, and Kaiser Permanente – who share our vision of educational equity and help us build sustainable pathways for students.
Why This Matters Now
In times when educational resources and support systems face are under attack, your local investment becomes even more critical. Thanks to your support, students in our programs are mapping out college plans, exploring career paths, and working through challenges that once felt impossible. Food for Thought 2025 isn’t just our annual fundraising campaign—it’s our collective commitment that every San Francisco student belongs and has the chance to succeed.
Join Us at the Table
We believe that everyone has a seat at this table. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or learning about Mission Graduates for the first time, whether you can contribute $20 or $2,000, whether you can volunteer for an hour or join us for dinner during Restaurant Week – there’s a place for you in this community.
Your support makes our work possible. During a time when so much feels uncertain, thank you for helping us create the stability students need to dream big and achieve those dreams.
Ready to get started?
- Donate now and watch your impact DOUBLE
- View our restaurant partners and plan your Dine Out, Do Good week
- Become a fundraiser and rally your network
This is what community looks like in action. Your support doesn’t just fund programs – it builds futures.
Together, we’re investing in hope, equity, and the next generation of leaders.
For more information about Food for Thought 2025, visit our campaign page or contact us at development@missiongraduates.org. Follow our journey on Instagram or LinkedIn as we celebrate our community throughout the campaign.
