San Francisco, and the Tenderloin in particular, is a melting pot of experience. But it’s not always parades and bacon. For the city’s vast population of homeless and underserved, that experience is a daily nightmare.

The Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (that’s a mouthful so we’ll stick with TNDC), have some amazing ideas to help the forgotten communities in a city where the journey to gentrification is a rapid, but often ignorant, force.

Through various means the TNDC raises awareness, provides housing and creates support services for the Tenderloin’s less fortunate population.

Their annual Pool Toss event sees local celebrities and supporters gather for an evening of awareness. And don’t worry, we’re not gonna let this just be rich people standing around a pool – someone’s going in the drink (pretty great idea we think, wanna help us throw them in?)

The sobering effect of getting thrown in a pool comes second only to the that of remembering those without a pool, or food for that matter. So when they approached The Mortar Foundation to be a sponsor, we were eager to support.