Pitching pennies to change lives: St. Anthony Foundation teams up with MoMo's and local celebrities for the 35th annual Penny Pitch

SAN FRANCISCO, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Change is in the air and on the ground as teams prepare to toss pennies for the 35th annual Penny Pitch at MoMo's restaurant to benefit the St. Anthony's Dining Room.  Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, Police Chief Greg Suhr, and President of the Giants Larry Baer will toss the ceremonial first pitch.  KNBR radio hosts Murph and Mac along with Bay Area comedian Bob Sarlatte will MC the competition as 30 teams, comprised of local business and civic groups, compete for the annual tournament trophy.

Where: MoMo's restaurant across from the ballpark

When: Monday, June 11th. Ceremonial first pitch at 1 p.m.

What began in 1977 as a friendly wager between the late Ed Moose of Moose's Tavern and other tavern owners has raised over $1 million for St. Anthony's.  In 2010, the Penny Pitch moved to MoMo's in South Beach and has received strong support from the San Francisco Giants.

Pete and Janet Osborne, owners of MoMo's restaurant, raised a record setting $62,000 in 2011, or the equivalent of 124,000 hot meals.  Shari Roeseler, St. Anthony's Executive Director, remarked, "For 62 years, the business community has stepped up to the plate for St. Anthony's.  For over half of those years, leaders in the community have organized the Penny Pitch to throw change and change lives.  We couldn't do the work we do without the steady support of people like Pete and Janet and the late Ed Moose."

MoMo's offers the perfect space for this event.  Every year, current and past Giants join the fun to test their skills off the field.  The tournament runs much like the NCAA Final Four with teams of six competing in a single elimination bracket.  The winning team must win at least 5 games in a row to be crowned the 35th annual Penny Pitch champion.

Proceeds from the event go directly to feeding San Francisco's most vulnerable residents.  Since 1950, St. Anthony's has served up hope and hearty meals---over 38 million in total.  The mission of St. Anthony Foundation is to feed, heal, shelter, clothe, lift the spirits of those in need, and create a society in which all persons flourish. 

SOURCE St. Anthony Foundation