My family left a large Thanksgiving party in Atherton and on the way out there were large containers of food that had not been eaten. It is a shame that these amount could not be donated. Is there a way to donate without getting a lawyer involved if a person gets a little sick.

Tom, food commercially prepared, such as from a caterer can be donated. If st. Anthony's won't/can't accept it, the opportunity center in Palo Alto will. Just pull up and drop it off.

St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room has broad community support.
Why do they continue to accept taxpayer dollars from the Sequoia Healthcare District?
This first began when Don Horsley, then President of the Board, invited them to apply for a grant. This is an unnecessary blemish on an otherwise outstanding organization. Originally, St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room website's donation page contained the following: "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver"(2 Cor.9:7)" (from St. Anthony de Padua website in 2011). That has been removed.

I also met Dan Gold from Palo Alto and Josh Bonds among the volunteers. What lovely folks. Had a great time serving those in need and the church did such a great job. Everyone who volunteered was super. This soup kitchen is open every day except sunday! How nice