Bestselling authors hand out free books to unhoused San Franciscans

Alexander Debelov and Stefania Leão are giving away free copies of their bestseller, along with food and water, to unhoused people in San Francisco’s Tenderloin. The authors say the book has become the main draw — and that every royalty is being reinvested to print more copies and fund the outreach.

Why it matters: - The outreach ties a commercial bestseller to direct aid in one of the country’s most visible homelessness corridors. - The authors say the project is designed to scale beyond San Francisco and reach unhoused people nationwide. - Every book sale helps fund more free copies, plus food and water, rather than personal income.

What happened: - Alexander Debelov and Stefania Leão have been walking San Francisco’s Tenderloin this summer, handing out free copies of "The Prayer: Rise with Jesus" alongside food and water. - The book reached No. 1 on Amazon in three languages and won three international book awards. - The authors say they have already given out hundreds of books. - Debelov is a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur and publisher of the devotional. - Leão is a Brazilian bestselling author who wrote the book alone in 2022.

The details: - The devotional contains 30 short reflections. - The book is available in six languages. - Debelov and Leão say they are not operating through a 501(c)(3), foundation or NGO. - The authors personally print the books, carry them in bags and hand them out on the sidewalk. - They say every dollar of royalties goes back into printing free copies and buying food and water. - A reader anywhere in the world who buys a copy is helping pay for a free copy for someone in the Tenderloin. - Debelov said the team expected food and bottled water to be the main draw, but the book has been the first thing many people reach for. - Debelov said people have stopped in the middle of sidewalks, and sometimes in the middle of the street, to read. - Leão said the outreach is about hope and reminding people they still matter. - Debelov said the long-term goal is millions of free books. - The authors said they want the book in the hands of every unhoused person in the U.S. who wants one. - Photos, video, review copies, high-resolution assets and interviews are available at press materials. - Debelov’s contact number listed in the release is +1 808-301-0388. - Leão’s social accounts listed in the release are Instagram and TikTok.

Between the lines: - The release frames the book less as a product and more as a donation engine for outreach. - The Tenderloin response suggests spiritual content can resonate as strongly as basic supplies in some street outreach settings. - The authors’ decision to keep the effort outside a formal charity structure may allow faster, more personal distribution, but it also leaves the project reliant on sales and individual effort.

What's next: - Debelov and Leão say the Tenderloin effort is only the start. - The authors plan to keep expanding distribution as more books are sold. - The release signals more media, photo and interview availability tied to the outreach campaign.