The 78th Annual St. John Armenian Food Festival begins on Saturday, October 28 & 29, 2023. Join us for the festivities! Celebrate authentic Armenian delicacies, music and dance from our Homeland. There will be children's entertainment. If you are interested in helping our parish before or during the event, please contact the church office 415-661-1142.
Schedule
Anytime is a good time to come to the Food Festival!
Saturday, October 28
- Food will be served from 12:00noon - 9:00pm
Armenian Dancing from 9:00pm-12:00am-Out of respect for the Artsakh Refugee Crisis there will be no entertainment. Read more about this.- Dance and musical performances in the evening
- Church tours throughout the day
Sunday, October 29
- Divine Liturgy celebrated from 10:30am - 12:00pm
- Food will be served from 12:00noon - 3:00pm
Our Charities
In 2019, we set a new standard by directing 100% of the Food Festival proceeds to charity. This year, we'll uphold this commitment. Recognizing the pressing need, two-thirds of all proceeds will support our Artsakh Refugee Relief Fund. Additionally, in line with our parish's core value of community engagement, one-third will benefit the San Francisco Interfaith Winter Shelter program, a cause we've long championed.
Artsakh Refugee Relief Fund
The Artsakh Refugee Relief Fund is dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of refugees from Artsakh through church-sponsored humanitarian initiatives. Our mission is to provide immediate as well as long-term assistance to displaced families.
A notable portion of the funds raised through the Food Festival will be channeled to support Mer Hooys, a mission that St. John has proudly backed for years. Mer Hooys plays a crucial role in providing shelter, care, and education to at-risk girls. In light of the recent crisis in Artsakh, they are preparing to welcome several new orphans from Artsakh, ensuring they have a safe environment to grow, learn, and heal.
SFIC Winter Shelter
Since 1988, the San Francisco Interfaith Council (SFIC), Episcopal Community Services (ECS) and the current Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) have partnered to operate the San Francisco Interfaith Winter Shelter. Designed to augment existing shelter opportunities during the coldest months of the year (Monday before Thanksgiving through the end of March), the Interfaith Winter Shelter provides breakfast, dinner and a safe and warm overnight rest for up to 100 homeless guests each night.
Volunteer for the Festival
Volunteers are the lifeblood of St. John's Food Festival. From the beginning of preparations in the summer until the last call for Kufta, nearly 200 volunteers will be involved. Our volunteers sometimes sign up to help out for as little as a single cooking day, or two hours shift on the buffet and usually report that they've truly enjoyed the experience. This is your chance to truly connect. We are always looking volunteers to help with our cooking days, night and weekend sessions are available, and of course during the Food Festival as well. Visit our website for more information about dates and times, or call our office any time.
Call (415) 661-1142
Cooking Schedule
Join our fun crews in the kitchen helping to make delicious traditional foods, learning about the process, and helping to make a difference! Here is a list upcoming cooking dates. Please note that they are subject to change and it is advised to call to the office and confirm dates and times before attending.
Check the online schedule for latest information