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BALIF Holiday Fundraiser- Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners

07 Dec 2020 10:43 AM | BALIF Administrator (Administrator)


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BALIF is excited to host a Holiday Fundraiser to accompany our first ever Virtual Holiday Party! The Fundraiser kicks off today and will last through the end of December. 

This year, BALIF is honored to raise funds for Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners.  Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners is an all-volunteer organization that, for over 40 years, has fed the community of San Francisco on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Their dinners average a thousand people each holiday and take place at the First Unitarian Church at the corner of Franklin Street and Geary Boulevard.

Tessie was the drag name of Perry Spink, a local performer/bartender who was very familiar with the people and character of the Tenderloin District in San Francisco during the 60’s and 70’s. Legend has it that on Thanksgiving in 1974, he received several turkeys and was inspired to cook and serve them to the local Tenderloin residents (with the help of less-than-sober bar buddies). It was a gesture that showed the San Francisco Community that no matter who you were; there was someone who cared. Read the whole story about Empress Tessie here.

The Reigning Empress of San Francisco Mimi Osa writes, "I've been volunteering for the past 5 years, and my favorite part is seeing the love shared between the community and those in need. Tenderloin Tessie's Holiday Dinners provide meals but also an atmosphere of decency and respect. Whether people are facing food insecurity or have nowhere else to go, Tenderloin Tessie's volunteers treat every client as a welcomed guest." 

Please join us in raising some much-needed funds to continue this tradition of feeding the hungry in San Francisco! Whether it is $5 or $500, your contribution to this grassroots organization is appreciated!

BALIF is a community of LGBTQI+ legal professionals that envisions a world where LGBTQI+ people live with dignity and equality under the law. We value LGBTQI+ Justice & Equality, Community Empowerment & Development, and Diversity & Inclusion. Our mission is to lead our LGBTQI+ legal community through advocacy, justice, community empowerment, and professional development.

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