A friar mixes some 'wicked' margaritas

November 20, 1999
Web posted at: 10:58 p.m. EST (0358 GMT)

In this story: 'Catchy' marketing 'A fun way to do some good' RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Correspondent Rusty Dornin

SAN FRANCISCO (CNN) -- Besides feeding the homeless, running a shelter and blessing animals, Franciscan friars at St. Boniface Church in San Francisco make some wicked hard drinks.

Raising money to repair their historic church in a notoriously tough city neighborhood, the monks hold monthly "margarita nights" at the monastery, their brown robes flowing as they carry trays to serve well-heeled benefactors.

VIDEO Correspondent Rusty Dornin reports on the monthly margarita-night fund-raisers that Fransiscan friars are using in their efforts to make a San Francisco church safe from earthquakes Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

"They love it. They call them wicked margaritas," said friar Joaquin Moreno.

'Catchy' marketing

The monastery raised millions through traditional means, but still had a significant shortfall. What it needed, explained friar Kelly Cullen, was "catchy" marketing that would "bring people to a neighborhood they don't want to come to."

After a few pitchers of margaritas comes the pitch. The church has taken care of the destitute since 1887, but the friars will have to close its doors without another $2.5 million for the renovations, which would correct structural damage from an earthquake some years ago.

For the price of free drinks, potential donors observe firsthand what needs to be done. "When they come and see the cracks in the wall, and see what we're trying to do to keep this beautiful place open, some people have pledged $25,000 ... $100,000," Cullen said.

The friars need another $2.5 million to save St. Boniface

'A fun way to do some good'

Guests relish the event. "We didn't get a chance to drink margaritas ... at church. I thought this was a fun way to do some good for a neighborhood, for a church, to help restore it," one donor said.

The church, located in the Tenderloin district, caters to some of San Francisco's most downtrodden. Many of the 2,500 hungry who visit its daily soup kitchen are heavy alcohol and drug abusers.

Recognizing the irony of helping those who abuse alcohol while using liquor to entice donations, Cullen mused: " I guess the friars are pretty real about life. We think if you can drink and it doesn't cause you a problem, that's OK."

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