Loaves & Fishes Community Services is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that has served our community since 1984.
Vision
Ending hunger. Transforming lives.
Mission
To provide healthy food and impactful programs to promote self-sufficiency.
Our Core Values
Community, Compassion, Dignity, Hope, Service
We Believe
…in the power of community to change lives. …that by working together we can accomplish great things. …that each person possesses inherent dignity. …in the nobility of the human spirit. …the opportunity to serve is a gift. …food is a right and not a privilege.
Where We Serve
Our services are in high demand within our extended community. Residents of Naperville and DuPage County are able to visit for grocery assistance every 7 days. Households from outside DuPage and Naperville may receive a one-time emergency distribution.
History
1984 St. Raphael Church opened a pantry to assist families in need of food. Eight families were helped that year. Check out this article from The Naperville Sun in 1984 discussing the introduction of Loaves & Fishes.
1991 18 area churches and civic groups came together to organize the Pantry as a not-for-profit corporation to meet the needs of Naperville. 1992 Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry opened its doors at its new location on West 5th Avenue. 1999 A move is made to a larger location at 556 West 5th Avenue as more than 3,000 food distributions are provided during the year.
2000 A home delivery program to assist senior citizens and disabled residents living in government-subsidized housing is established.
2002 A warehouse is added at 552 West 5th Avenue to accommodate growth in food distributions to more than 9,000 per year.
2003 Home delivery grows to include five sites. Food distributions climb to more than 10,000 for the year.
2004 School nutrition initiative established to provide summer meals for Naperville students, and we distribute more than 17,000 lunches. Approximately 950 Naperville students in grades 1-12 qualified for government lunches during the prior schools year.
2006 The warehouse is moved next door to 554 West 5th Avenue, allowing us to combine that unit with 556 to better serve our recipients. Mayor Pradel cuts the ribbon at a dedication ceremony.
2007 In the fiscal year ended June 30, Loaves & Fishes provided a record 1,000,000 pounds of food and other essentials to 1,675 families totaling nearly 5,600 individuals.
2008 Loaves & Fishes provided 1,800 struggling families with over 5,000 bags of groceries each month. Land was purchased for construction of a much-needed, larger facility at 1871 High Grove Lane in Naperville. Client Choice distribution system implemented to allow clients to shop for the food they need. Charles McLimans was named Executive Director. Also in 2008, Loaves & Fishes was named a finalist for Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Not-for-Profit of the Year; named a finalist for Naperville Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. The first Day Without Hunger is celebrated.
2009 A fourth food distribution session is added in response to a 60% increase in new enrollments over the same time period last year. Loaves & Fishes is named Not-for-Profit Small Business of the Year by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.
2010 Service area expands to include all of DuPage County. Construction begins on new facility at 1871 High Grove Lane.
2011 Move to new facility at 1871 High Grove Lane and begin Pathways to Empowerment programs.
2012 After meeting with engaged community stakeholders, Loaves & Fishes’ Board of Directors passes our five-year Strategic Plan.
2014 Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry becomes Loaves & Fishes Community Services and announces $6M Power of Community campaign at the 7th annual Day Without Hunger. Loaves & Fishes is named Top Agency Partner in the area of Safety Net by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. First-time fundraiser, Night to End Hunger, raises $267,650 for Loaves & Fishes’ programs.
2016 Mike Havala becomes President & CEO. Loaves & Fishes merges with Naperville CARES and expands its services. Loaves & Fishes Market and Loaves & Fishes CARES programs provide efficiency and greater access for our neighbors.
2017 Loaves & Fishes initiates first session of Moving Up Program, a 16 week, 50 hour class to help our neighbors plan and create their own bright future stories. The Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carrier’s Food Drive results in a record 97,000 pounds of food collected in one day. Loaves & Fishes offers weekly shopping in the food market, and increases access to healthy, nutritious food through its food recovery program and local grocery partners. The mobile market begins distributing to senior citizens in Marian Park Apartments in Wheaton.
Our Team - Board & Staff
Loaves & Fishes is a collaborative community effort focused on making a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Within our facility, Loaves & Fishes’ staff is supported by over 1,500 volunteers. Our volunteers are engaged at a variety of levels.
Our warehouse volunteers sort through fresh, canned and boxed items to ensure high-quality products for our clients. This process is of the upmost importance since we are dedicated to contributing to our clients’ health and well-being. Our Board of Directors oversee our progress toward achieving our strategic plan. These individuals provide expertise in areas such as operations, finance and organizational advancement.
Overall, our dedicated volunteers are essential to managing and carrying out our programs. They are the heart and soul of our daily operations!
Board Of Directors
- Executive Committee Board Chair
- Kevin O’Hara – Kabza, O’Hara & Associates
- George Kestler – Immediate Past Chairman; Retired, President/CEO of Americall Group, Inc.
- Vice Chair Governance
- Michael Schroeck – Retired, IBM/PwC
- Vice Chair Finance
- Rich Goeden – BMO Harris
- Vice Chair Advancement
- Corey Schmidt – IntentGen Financial Partners
- Treasurer
- Susan Haines – General Mills
- Secretary
- Celeste Wagner – C-Saw Marketing & Aurelio’s Pizza
- Mike Havala – President and CEO of Loaves & Fishes
- Nicki Anderson – Director of Woman’s Leadership Program at Benedictine University
- Meena Banasiak – Phoenix Packaging
- Dr. Laura Bokar – Fox Valley Institute for Growth & Wellness
- Joe Chura – CEO & Founder, Dealer Inspire & Launch Digital Marketing
- Nancy Couch – Community Volunteer
- Harol-Deane Garren – Retired Educator (Member Emerita)
- Ron Haskell – Attorney (Member Emeritus)
- Barry Horek – Ernst & Young (Ret.)
- Russell Karlins – Karlins Real Estate Ventures LLC
- Paul Novotny – Retired, former Chairman & CEO at The New York Blower Company
- Rebecca Obarski- Nagle Obarski, P.C. Attorneys at Law
- Timothy O’Donnell – Huck Bouma, CEO & Co-Founder of Autobahn Country Club
- Dr. Benjamin White – Joliet West Sr. Army Instructor JROTC
- Doug Wilson – Executive Coach
Staff
- President & CEO
- Mike Havala mhavala@loaves-fishes.org
- Vice President of Advancement
- Nancy Wiersum nwiersum@loaves-fishes.org
- Vice President of CARES Programs
- Janet Derrick jderrick@loaves-fishes.org
- Vice President of Operations
- Cary Gilkey cgilkey@loaves-fishes.org
- Director of Administrative Services
- Elizabeth Hoffman ehoffman@loaves-fishes.org
- Director of Community Health
- Jane Macdonald jmacdonald@loaves-fishes.org
- Director of Corporate & Volunteer Engagement
- Shelly Schmitz sschmitz@loaves-fishes.org
- Director of Philanthropy
- Eric Gardner egardner@loaves-fishes.org
- Director of Marketing & Communications
- Joni Wiltz jwiltz@loaves-fishes.org
- Associate Director of CARES Programs
- Mary Boulos mboulos@loaves-fishes.org
- Accounting Manager
- Debbie Froelich dfroelich@loaves-fishes.org
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Market Manager
- George Wood gwood@loaves-fishes.org
- Associate Director CARES Programs
- Lori Nalefski lnalefski@loaves-fishes.org
- Special Events Manager
- Nicole Louis nlouis@loaves-fishes.org
- Grants Manager
- Meagan Trilnick mtrilnick@loaves-fishes.org
- Assistant Market Manager
- Chad Craven ccraven@loaves-fishes.org
- Graphic Designer
- Claire Krzyzewski ckrzyzewski@loaves-fishes.org
- Parking Coordinator
- Don Bright dbright@loaves-fishes.org
- Program Desk Coordinator
- Laura Glaza lglaza@loaves-fishes.org
- Transportation Coordinator
- Fred Wehrli fwehrli@loaves-fishes.org
- Warehouse Assistant
- Kristeen Anderson kanderson@loaves-fishes.org
- Warehouse Assistantant
Anthony Magic emagic@loaves-fishes.org - Custodian
- Al Cole acole@loaves-fishes.org
Spanish language translation generously provided by volunteers.
Community Advisory Council
The Loaves & Fishes Community Advisory Council (CAC) is a group of key leaders who are committed to the mission and vision of the organization. They provide thought leadership on a variety of topics, assist in fulfilling the goals of the the strategic plan, and serve as ambassadors for the agency. CAC member each bring their own unique perspective, experience and industry expertise to the agency, strengthening and connecting Loaves & Fishes to advance the initiatives focused on ending hunger and transforming lives. 
Community Advisory Council 2019
- Dr. Mary Ann Bobosky Advocates Building Communities, Inc.
- Laura Crawford Chamber 630
- Mike Donnantuono Blistex, Inc.
- David Fish Fish Law Firm
- Bev Patterson Frier Naperville Senior Task Force
- Michael Gach Results Marketing & Sales
- Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Foundation
- Betsy Goltermann KI Industries
- John Koranda Naperville Bank & Trust
- Natasha Marriner Wipfli CPAs and Consultants.
- Peter Paolilli Altair Advisors LLC
- Lou Petritz Busey Bank
- Trish Robb JR Albert Foundation
- Jackie Romberg Community Volunteer
- Steve Smith Growing Hope Globally
- Dr. Linda Van Horn Northwestern University
- Joe Vozar CFO (retired)
- Matt Ward PWC
- Alice Wood, Simplistic Estate Planning
- Hon. Grant Wehrli IL State Representative
- Joel Weinberger Continental Motors
Financial Information
Loaves & Fishes is dedicated to achieving a strong and responsible financial position. Through the generosity of individuals, businesses, foundations, organizations, local government, and faith communities who contribute funds and in-kind donations, Loaves & Fishes is well equipped to continue assisting our low-income neighbors with our Community Food & Nutrition Program and our Loaves & Fishes CARES programs. 
Audits By Year
Form 990 By Year
Fiscal Year 2019 Form 990 Fiscal Year 2018 Form 990 Fiscal Year 2017 Form 990 Full version available upon request.
Hours & Maps
From N. Aurora Rd & Rt. 59:
Turn south on Route 59 for 0.6 miles, then left at the light on Meridian Pkwy/Glacier Park Ave. (at Target). Turn left again at High Grove Lane. Go 0.2 miles to the entrance of the pantry at 1871 High Grove Lane. Follow the entrance to the back of the lot. Parking is around the pantry to the right.
From W. Ogden Ave:
Follow Ogden Avenue (Rt. 34) as it turns south. Turn right on Quincy Ave (at the car dealership). Take a right on High Grove/Fort Hill Drive. Go 0.3 miles to the entrance of the pantry at 1871 High Grove.
Get Directions View our Parking Map
Grocery Assistance & Office Hours
Food Distribution Hours
Naperville
1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville. IL
Tuesday: 9-12pm
Thursday: 9-12pm & 5-6:30pm
Saturday : 8:00-11:30am
(for Naperville & DuPage County)
Compass Church, Bolingbrook
151 E. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL
Wednesday: 4-5:30pm
(for zip codes 60440, 60490, and 60446)
ID required
You may come every 7 days
The Emergency Food Program-Income Eligibility Guidelines
PLEASE SEE THE DOCUMENT ON THE NEW DISTRIBUTION MODEL AND COVID-19 POLICY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
About Food Donations During COVID-19
We regret that we are unable to accept physical food donations now. To abide by the CDC guidelines, we have greatly reduced the number of people in our building and are focused on serving the greatest number of clients in the most efficient way possible. Food donations bring additional people in and require processing that we are unable to do at this time. The best way to help now is through our virtual food drive. We are grateful for your understanding.
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.