The Salvation Army Kroc Center, located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, provides essential after-school and summer programming for youth in one of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. In 2024, the center delivered 12,595 days of care, served 185 students, distributed 3,167 hot lunches, provided 16,573 meals and snacks, and equipped students with 570 backpacks filled with school supplies. More than a recreation space, the Kroc Center offers a safe, structured, and culturally responsive environment for children navigating trauma, learning challenges, or housing instability.

With support from Bay Area Bright Futures, the Kroc Center has expanded its enrichment programming—offering more consistent, high-quality activities during out-of-school hours. BABF’s grant also enabled the Kroc Center to reallocate internal resources by transitioning from an in-house meal program to the more efficient MOWSF youth nutrition model. This shift allowed staff and funding to be redirected toward academic and enrichment efforts, maximizing the Center’s reach and impact without compromising nutritional support.