Hotel de Zink at All Saints'
Every October, All Saints' hosts Hotel de Zink, a rotating night shelter program for unhoused adults. Coordinated by InnVision Shelter Network, Hotel de Zink provides overnight housing and meals through a network of 12 local churches, each hosting one month per year.
During our hosting month, up to 18 guests sleep in the parish hall each night. Nearly 90 parishioners contribute by preparing home-cooked dinners, fundraising, and offering hospitality. Guests also receive support from InnVision case managers to help transition out of homelessness.
The name Hotel de Zink honors a Depression-era shelter in Palo Alto that served over 50,000 people. Today, it remains the only program in Palo Alto offering overnight housing every night of the year.
Building Bridges Together
Founded in 2013 by Diane and Bob Frankle, Building Bridges Together is a lay-led interfaith dialogue program first developed in partnership with All Saints' and Congregation Beth Am. Since then, over 160 participants have joined eight programs hosted by four churches and two synagogues, representing a wide variety of faith communities.
The program offers multi-session dinner dialogues, sanctuary tours, and ongoing alumni gatherings. In 2019, Diane and Bob, along with Phil Palmer, established Building Bridges Together™ as a nonprofit to expand this interfaith work. A new curriculum, Interfaith Bridges™, is being created in collaboration with Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Guided by a 14-member working group that includes All Saints' parishioners, the program launched nationally in 2022 and continues to grow.
All Saints' is proud to be a Trusted Partner of Building Bridges Together and looks forward to hosting future interfaith conversations and events.
Team Food Closet
The Food Closet on our campus at the Hamilton Avenue side (425 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto) provides free groceries to more than 200 people each week—over 880 pounds of food. Founded in 1976 by longtime parishioner Patsy McAfee, the Food Closet has grown into a vital ministry supported by parishioners and community members.
Open Monday–Friday from 10 am–2:30 pm (closed 12–1 pm on Thursdays), the Food Closet distributes food and essential supplies to anyone in need. Volunteers assist with client service, respond to weekly “most needed” alerts, and organize food drives. High school students can also fulfill community service hours here.
This ministry continues Patsy’s vision: a community where no neighbor goes hungry. Donations of food, funds, or time are always welcome.
Immigration and Refugees Action Group (IRAG)
Formed during our 125th Anniversary in 2017, the Immigrants and Refugees Action Group brings parishioners together in advocacy, accompaniment, and education. Members have:
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Hosted parish forums to empower action
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Partnered with Jewish Family Services to support refugee resettlement
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Raised bond money for detained immigrants
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Offered prayers, letters, and companionship for asylum seekers
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Attended immigration hearings in solidarity
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Established study groups for a deeper understanding
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Created a fund to provide grants to individuals and immigrant-support organizations, including work at the U.S.–Mexico border
Through this ministry, All Saints' Episcopal Church continues its long tradition of welcoming the stranger and working for justice.
Outreach
We love God, and we love our neighbors as ourselves.
At All Saints' Episcopal Church, outreach is how we live out our faith in the wider world. We believe God’s love calls us not only to gather in worship but also to serve our neighbors, walk alongside those in need, and build bridges of understanding across communities. Through partnerships and parish-led initiatives, we seek to extend compassion, justice, and hospitality beyond our church walls.
Progressive Christians at Stanford: Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry
All Saints' partners with the Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry to offer a welcoming, supportive community for progressive Christians at Stanford. Students find a safe space to worship, explore their faith, and connect with others who share their values. We also collaborate with the campus chaplain to support special programs and events throughout the year.