Stories of Hope

As Loaves and Fishes heads into its 40th year, one volunteer’s been with them for the long haul.

In 1984, a dedicated group of compassionate members of St. Raphael Catholic Church realized there were families without enough food, so they assembled a small food pantry in a closet of the church. Today, 40 years later, Loaves & Fishes is serving more than 8,000 people each week in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties. There are 2.3 million people in these four counties and 1 in 5 people are in low-income/poverty. The story of how Loaves & Fishes went from “there to here” reflects thousands of people who were inspired to join along the way making a profound difference to those in need.

Loaves & Fishes recently celebrated the success of another graduating class of the Moving Up program. This transformative 20-session workshop addresses the profound impact of poverty and low wages on participants’ lives. Guided by trained facilitators, Moving Up empowers individuals to transition from living paycheck to paycheck to proactively “Moving Up.”

As we embrace the warmth of the summer season, many of us spend time in our gardens, enjoying the harvest, sharing with family and friends, or pickling and preserving. Gardening has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with an increasing number of individuals cultivating their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This summer pastime also provides an opportunity to help families struggling to keep food on their table by donating homegrown produce. Not only does this provide access to fresh, healthy food, but it also promotes self-sustainability, environmental awareness, and a strong sense of community spirit.

We are so very proud of our new Moving Up Graduates! These ladies committed to this program and discovered what was holding them back from living a more self-sufficient life. We are very thankful for the program’s facilitators, Donnishia Brown and Dr. Catherine Jackson, and the dedicated volunteers who provided services and meals each week…. Read more »

Loaves & Fishes: The power of moving up The Power of Moving Up by Mary Boulos, Director of CARES Programs at Loaves & Fishes Community Services “This is not for the weak!” That is the consensus about Loaves & Fishes’ Moving Up program according to this year’s program graduates. Please allow me to explain. Moving… Read more »

Leaders & Legacies: Stories of Local Impact is an ongoing series brought to you in partnership with the Daily Herald and DuPage Foundation. It highlights the inspiring stories of local individuals, families, and businesses that have made or are making a lasting impact for our community through their generosity and leadership.

Giving Tuesday is a global movement unleashing the power of generosity. Tuesday, November 29, is a day dedicated to inspiring people to give their time, talent, and donations to non-profit organizations in the spirit of celebrating generosity.

Loaves & Fishes: The art of thankfulness