Mission & Values
Loaves & Fishes Community Services is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that has served our community since 1984. Our vision is to end hunger in our community. Our mission is to provide food and leadership in the community by uniting and mobilizing resources to empower people to be self-sufficient.
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.
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.
Board Of Directors
Board Chair
George Kestler – Retired, former President/CEO of Americall Group, Inc.
Vice Chair Governance:
Dr. Alicia McCareins – RECA, Inc.
Vice Chair Finance:
Rich Goeden – VP BMO Harris
Vice Chair Advancement:
Corey Schmidt – Thrivent Financial
Treasurer:
Kevin O’Hara – Kabza, O’Hara & Associates
Secretary:
Dawn Struxness – Retired Teacher
Ned Bacon – Retired
Dr. Laura Bokar – Fox Valley Institute for Growth & Wellness
Cati Cederoth – Huron Consulting
Harol-Deane Garren – Retired Teacher (Member Emerita)
Sue Haines – General Mills
Ron Haskell – Attorney (Member Emeritus)
Mike Havala – CEO of Loaves & Fishes
Paul Novotny – Retired, former Chairman & CEO at The New York Blower Company
Michael Schroeck – Retired
Celeste Wagner – C-Saw Marketing & Aurelio’s Pizza
Doug Wilson – Executive Coach
Staff
CEO/President
Mike Havala mhavala@loaves-fishes.org
Director of Administrative Services
Elizabeth Hoffman ehoffman@loaves-fishes.org
Information Manager
Debbie Froelich dfroelich@loaves-fishes.org
Vice President of Advancement
Nancy Wiersum nwiersum@loaves-fishes.org
Director of Philanthropy
Eric Gardner egardner@loaves-fishes.org
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
Michelle Iskowitz miskowitz@loaves-fishes.org
Community Relations Manager
Diane Ramonas dramonas@loaves-fishes.org
Special Events Manager
Karen Walsh kwalsh@loaves-fishes.org
Graphic Designer
Claire Krzyzewski ckrzyzewski@loaves-fishes.org
Vice President of CARES Programs
Janet Derrick jderrick@loaves-fishes.org
Director of Community Health
Jane Macdonald jmacdonald@loaves-fishes.org
Associate Director CARES Programs
Maria McTarnaghan mmctarnaghan@loaves-fishes.org
Program Manager
Lori Nalefski lnalefski@loaves-fishes.org
Program & Volunteer Assistant
Mary O’Brien mobrien@loaves-fishes.org
Vice President of Operations
Cary Gilkey cgilkey@loaves-fishes.org
Director of Corporate & Volunteer Engagement
Shelly Schmitz sschmitz@loaves-fishes.org
Manager of Volunteer Services
Hilary Nelson volunteer@loaves-fishes.org
Food Operations Manager
Alan Loeb aloeb@loaves-fishes.org
Custodian
Al Cole acole@loaves-fishes.org
Driver/Warehouse Assistant
Chad Craven ccraven@loaves-fishes.org
Driver/Warehouse Assistant
Charlie Ivers civers@loaves-fishes.org
Transportation Coordinator
Fred Wehrli fwehrli@loaves-fishes.org
Warehouse Coordinator
George Wood gwood@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 2017
- Nicki Anderson
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce - Dr. Mary Ann Bobosky
Advocates Building Communities, Inc. - Dan Casey
Casey’s Foods - 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 - Hon. Bob Gibson
DuPage County - Betsy Goltermann
KI Industries - John Koranda
Naperville Bank & Trust - Natasha Marriner
Northern Trust - Dr. Caroline Morrison
Naperville Clinical Associates - Dr. John Peggau
Psychology Consultants PC - Lou Petritz
First Community Financial Bank - Trish Robb
JR Albert Foundation - Jackie Romberg
Community Volunteer - Steve Smith
Food Resource Bank - Dr. Marcia Tornatore
Bright and Early DuPage - Dr. Linda Van Horn
Northwestern University - Joe Vozar
CFO (retired) - Matt Ward
PWC - 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.
Publications
View Our 2016-2018 Strategic PlanHours & 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.
Hours
Grocery Assistance Hours
Tuesday
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. AND 5 – 7 p.m.
Saturday
8 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m.
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donation Drop-Off Hours
Monday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Large Donations
If you have a large donation (over ten full bags or boxes), it is suggested that you call ahead to coordinate a drop-off time.