Philoptochos "Friends of the Poor" 

Philoptochos is one of the largest women’s organizations in the United States: preserves the sacredness of the Orthodox family through family concern, services, unity of action; promotes the charitable, benevolent, philanthropic and eleemosynary purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; formulates plans and methods to voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disaster; and promotes participation in the activities of the Parish with the cooperation of the Priest and the Parish Council.  

Charities and ministries St. Anna Philoptochos provides support to annually:

OCMC, IOCC, St. Basils Academy, Kids 'n' Cancer, Bishop Anthony Student Aid Endowment Fund, St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center, Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento, Crisis Nursery Sacramento, Decani Monastery Relief Fund, Global Birthing Home/ Maison de Naissance, Monastery of the Theotokos, The Life Giving Spring, 3Strands Global Foundation, Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage, Feed the Hungry, St. Vincent de Paul, Military Support, Local Seminarian Support, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Sunshine Ministry, College Student Care Packages, in Memory of Victoria Marie Kopp., Newborn Ministry, Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home.

Ways to support Philoptochos throughout the year:

  1. Prepare meals for individuals in need (Sunshine Ministry)

  2. Knit or Crochet a Prayer Shawl. (Prayer Shawl Ministry)

  3. Sign up to offer hospitality for Coffee Hour

  4. Donations are accepted all year for the general fund, and for specific ministries

  5. Host a membership tea/gathering.

  6. Help with preparations for a luncheon, Feed the Hungry and care packages

  7. Support fundraising efforts, donate baked goods, and participate with events

  8. Attend meetings, share ideas, and keep us in prayer.

    October 22 - May 23 Calendar

October 2022

·       College Care Packages, in loving memory of Victoria Marie Kopp: volunteers will gather items and prepare packages to be delivered to college kids who are working on their undergraduate studies and who have graduated out of St. Anna Sunday School program.

·       Blessing of Prayer Shawls in proximity to the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos 

November 2022

·       Blessing of St. Anna Philoptochos Ministries, Sunday November 6th, Artoclasia, blessing of loaves, coffee hour/fellowship, start of 2022/23 Annual membership drive

·       Feed the Hungry-Thanksgiving: delivery to schools on November 14th. volunteers will prepare packages with holiday ribbon to gift to the designated children of Title I schools and to those identified with need, during the week of November 7th.

·       Coat Drive- November 6 through December 4: Accepting donations of gently used, clean, and new coats for all ages. Please drop off donations at coat rack in the Narthex.

·       See’s Candy Fundraiser: to support St. Anna Ministries Fundraiser will be ongoing during the month of November and December 

December 2022

·       Feed the Hungry-Christmas: delivery to schools December 12th volunteers will prepare the packages during week of December 5th.

·       Light The Path: Annual Luncheon of the Metropolis to support Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. Date to be announced.

·       Volunteer at the Tommy Apostolos Fund shopping spree at Kohls to cloth children in need (Dec 5)

·       Philoptochos Christmas Holiday Bake Sale- Sunday December 18th: volunteers may prepare pastries and may purchase items in support of the fundraising effort.

·       Military Support/Adopt families: Support families identified with need. 

January 2023

·       Vasilopita cutting event, with luncheon: Donations will support St. Basil Academy, St. Nicholas Ranch and St. Anna Philoptochos Ministries.

February 2023

·       Kids n’ Cancer Annual Bake Sale and fundraising event: volunteers provide goods to sell at the fundraising event. Proceeds benefit the Kids n’Cancer program of the Metropolis that supports children with cancer and other life-threatening illness and offers children and their family a camp experience through Camp AGAPE. 

March 2023

·       St. Anna Philoptochos Annual Lenten Retreat

·       Feed the Hungry-Easter: volunteers will prepare the packages with holiday ribbon to gift to the designated children of Title I schools and to those identified with need

April 2023

·       Annual Tommy Apostolos Fund Dinner: volunteers prepare pastries and may help serve

·       Palm Sunday Luncheon: volunteers help prepare and serve luncheon. Proceeds benefit St. Anna Philoptochos Ministries

·       Holy Week Preparations: Dye Eggs on Holy Thursday, Adorn the Epitaphio/Tomb of Christ on Holy Friday

May 2023

·       Chapter Elections and Potluck at May meeting


Philoptochos Contact: Kathy Craighead, President (650)455-3151

Please consult our Calendar for meeting dates and times.