Feeding the Future: Planned Giving at Loaves & Fishes
October is National Planned Giving Awareness Month, a time to highlight the power of legacy giving and the incredible impact it has on organizations like Loaves & Fishes Community Services. For over 40 years, Loaves & Fishes has worked to end hunger and transform lives, now serving more than 10,000 people each week across DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties. Planned giving offers a unique opportunity for community members to ensure that the mission continues for generations to come.
Why Planned Giving Matters
Planned giving, whether through a bequest in a will, beneficiary designation, or other legacy gift, provides long-term stability for Loaves & Fishes. These gifts create a foundation that allows us not only to provide healthy food today, but also to invest in impactful programs that promote self-sufficiency tomorrow.
As Loaves & Fishes President & CEO Mike Havala notes: “Legacy gifts ensure that we can continue to meet both the immediate needs of families and build sustainable solutions for the future.”
The Feeding the Future Legacy Circle
To honor those who have made a lasting commitment through their estate plans, Loaves & Fishes created the Feeding the Future Legacy Circle. Members of this circle share a common bond: a desire to create a future where no one goes hungry.
“We chose to include Loaves & Fishes in our estate plan because of their proven track record of ending hunger and transforming lives in our surrounding community. Planned giving makes great sense from a tax-planning perspective, but more importantly, this legacy gift will help ensure future generations have access to the resources they need to get through the difficult times and become self-sufficient again.” – Joel and Shannon Weinberger
“When Loaves and Fishes opened as a small Food Pantry in a 5th Avenue warehouse, we volunteered as members of First Congregational UCC. Over the years we have watched the growth and the impact it has had on so many people. We were also part of the Naperville Cares organizing group and were excited when it merged with Loaves and Fishes – a perfect fit. Loaves and Fishes is now an organization that not only feeds those in need but also helps people succeed in many other ways. The board and staff have made this organization flourish. We are happy to be part of the Feeding the Future Legacy Circle.” – John and Mary Kroening
These voices remind us that planned giving is about more than financial arrangements, it is a reflection of values, vision, and community.
A Gift that Transforms Generations
One planned gift today can mean thousands of families nourished in the years ahead. It can mean children thriving in school because they are well-fed, parents finding new jobs with the support of our workforce readiness programs, and seniors living with dignity and health.
“Being part of the Feeding the Future Legacy Circle is deeply meaningful to me because I’ve witnessed firsthand—since volunteering back in 2007—the impact Loaves & Fishes has on our community. They support people with dignity, offering not just food but hope and practical solutions during difficult times. What sets this organization apart is its commitment to addressing the root causes of food insecurity and helping clients regain stability. It’s an honor to invest in and include Loaves & Fishes in my estate planning because they lift people up providing programs that help promote self-sufficiency.” – Eric Rieger
By joining the Feeding the Future Legacy Circle, you ensure that Loaves & Fishes’ mission of providing healthy food and impactful programs continues far into the future. Planned giving is not only a way to leave a legacy, but also a way to build hope and opportunity for our neighbors in need.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can become a member of the Feeding the Future Legacy Circle, please contact Debbie White, Sr. Director of Donor & Corporate Engagement, at dwhite@loaves-fishes.org or 630.355.3663 X189.
Together, we can ensure that the work of Loaves & Fishes – ending hunger and transforming lives – remains strong for generations to come.