Community battles to save San Francisco's beloved family block-party program 'Sunday Streets'

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco's budget shortfall is jeopardizing a popular family event series, with the city's health department set to pull funding for "Sunday Streets," a beloved block-party program.

The community is stepping up to try to save it, but organizers say San Francisco's city leaders need to do the same.

The program, organized by the nonprofit Livable City, closes streets in neighborhoods across the city to create space for outdoor activities, connect residents with health services and bring businesses and neighbors together.

"We really need the city to invest in us and see Sunday Streets for what it's been," said Patricia Barraza of Livable City. "It's believed in it for 17 years, so I don't see why I can't believe in it now."

The Department of Public Health plans to cut its entire $215,000 contribution to the program as part of efforts to close the city's budget deficit. The department said Sunday Streets provides important services but that funds must be directed to clinical and health services.

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Community members have raised more than $100,000 so far, enough to fund events in three of the six neighborhoods: the Tenderloin, Bayview and Excelsior. Events in SoMa, the Mission and the Sunset District remain uncertain.

"It's amazing, amazing," said Sergio Pina, owner of El Corazon Gallery in the Excelsior. "That's why we do whatever we have to do to help the community."

City leaders, including members of the Board of Supervisors, have acknowledged the program's value, but its future remains unclear as budget decisions move forward.

"It's a difficult year and we're unfortunately going to be making difficult decisions," says Matt Dorsey, a supervisor on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who represents the Soma Neighborhood and is also the vice chair of the board's budget and finance committee.

"We're going to have to look at really good programs like Sunday Streets and, honestly, countless other programs that are doing great work out there. And we're going to have to say no, not because it's not a great program, just because we don't have the money," Dorsey says.

This year's Sunday Streets festival kicks off on April 26 in the Excelsior