
When people think of San Francisco’s Castro district, they often think of its history as a haven for LGBTQ+ communities and as a one of the country’s most well-known centers of queer activism.
It’s a neighborhood with a precedent for people showing up for each other regardless of where they come from. You can still see that welcoming tradition on Thursday afternoons at Everett Middle School’s Owl’s Nest Pantry, where a volunteer-led food pantry provides groceries to students, their families, and fellow Castro neighbors.
The pantry is run in partnership with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, which supplies fresh produce, pantry staples, and culturally relevant food every week. It’s staffed entirely by volunteers and hosted at the school, so families can pick up groceries in a space that feels familiar and supportive.
As the school’s Community Coordinator and Facilities Manager, Ruben helps lead the Owl’s Nest Pantry and acts as a key link between the administration and the community. He’s a problem solver who keeps things running smoothly for students, families, and staff. Because of this, he’s deeply aware of how much students rely on support through the school that’s provided outside the classroom.
“Eighty percent of our students [have] free and reduced lunch,” Ruben says. “We have 90 families that are homeless or in shelters. So, if we look at the data, that’s even more reason to open this pantry.”
He also thinks about his own childhood. Ruben grew up in a single-parent household and knows what it’s like to make hard choices at a young age just to avoid going hungry.
“It was difficult for me growing up,” he recalls. “I understand what struggle is, and that compels me to want to work harder for our families.”
About half of Everett’s students are “newcomers” — recently-arrived immigrant, refugee, or asylee youth — and Ruben says it’s essential that Owl’s Nest Pantry reflects the diversity he sees in Everett’s hallways.
“A lot of our families live different lifestyles,” he says. “We need to embrace that and make sure we’re serving all families, not just some.”
AJ, a parent and regular pantry volunteer, appreciates the welcoming environment and is grateful to be a part of it. Like Ruben and the families who visit, he knows what it’s like to need help.

“I come from a family who didn’t have very much money,” AJ says. “We stood in line for government cheese and had food stamps. It was really hard as a teenager.”
AJ, who identifies as trans, has lived in the neighborhood for many years. He says it matters to him to be a friendly, visible presence for the queer youth and families who come to the pantry.
“I like that I can hopefully make people’s days easier and not harder [by] being compassionate and kind,” he says.
His connection to the Castro and serving his community runs deep.
“My dad also lived here for a lot of years,” AJ says. “He was gay and died in 2016 [from] AIDS. And so also being in the Castro in particular — and we did a lot of volunteering — it’s a nice way to give back.”
The pantry at Everett Middle is a reminder that people are still showing up, making sure their neighbors feel seen, supported, and have enough to eat.
In a city where the cost of living keeps rising and the future feels uncertain for many families, having an anchor like Ow’s Nest Pantry— and people like Ruben — is essential. This past May, Everett Middle named its auditorium after him in recognition of more than 40 years of service to students and their families. Nearly a hundred people gathered to celebrate and honor him, including educators, parents, pantry volunteers, and students.
“As I walk by the auditorium, I feel proud to have been part of so many special memories,” he says. “We laughed, cried and celebrated…. I’m not quite done yet and have the opportunity to continue to host events in the Ruben Urbina Auditorium. This [school] has always been a magical place and my home away from home.”
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