The State - News from Dec. 24, 1986

San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church began its food giveaway to the city’s poor and homeless, an annual Christmas event that draws hundreds of the needy to the church just five minutes from Union Square’s glitzy hotels and department stores. “It’s very ironic,” said the Rev. Cecil Williams, pastor of the church. “Here we have poverty pressed against all the pompous, plush, posh excitement.” Hundreds of poor people lined up at the church to receive free bags of groceries worth about $12.50 each. He said 7,500 bags would be distributed, the largest number since the program began in 1979.