Leadership Change in Motion
On Monday, December 8th, we announced a transition of leadership put into motion by the resignation of President and CEO Charles McLimans. Charles, who has led Loaves & Fishes since 2008, has accepted the CEO position at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, part of a nationwide network of food banks with which we are closely affiliated…. Read more »
Thank you for Seven Great Years
Dear Friends, “We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there.” ~Pascal Mercier, Night Train to Lisbon And so it is that I share with you, with bittersweet emotions,… Read more »
My Motivation by Mike McCarthy
Several years ago, while searching for a job, I applied for a fundraising position at L&F. After the initial interview with Charles, I realized my skills weren’t directly in line with the need. What was interesting, as I now know, is the depth in which Loaves & Fishes helps people here in our very own… Read more »
Celebration of Compassion 2014
On November 7th, Loaves & Fishes held the Celebration of Compassion at the Celebration Community Life Center in Naperville to announce this year’s honorees. Guests included major supporters as well as volunteers who donated more than 100 hours of time during the year ended June 30th. Charles McLimans presented the awards, donated by John Robbins… Read more »
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week on Fox 32 Chicago
Charles McLimans, Loaves & Fishes President & CEO, was invited to speak to Corey McPherrin and Darlene Hill on Fox 32 Chicago about suburban poverty and how Loaves & Fishes is reducing it thanks to our incredible supporters. FOX 32 News Chicago
The Battle for Employment
What is the true unemployment rate in Illinois? Are you accounted for in the true unemployment number? According to recent reports, the Illinois working-age population has grown by nearly 300,000 since the recession; however the Illinois workforce has shrunk 226,000 over the same period. This indicates there’s a gap of more than 500,000 working-age Illinoisans… Read more »
Campaign Makes Program Evolution Possible
The Power of Community Campaign was created to help Loaves & Fishes achieve the goals set forth in our strategic plan, including programmatic growth. Thanks to our community’s support to date, Loaves & Fishes is piloting the Client Engagement Model, which will benefit more low-income families by focusing on food, prevention, education and wellness. What… Read more »
Suburban Poverty on the Rise
According to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the official poverty rate decreased between 2012 and 2013; however, the Census Bureau explains that the number in poverty in 2013 was not statistically different from 2012. What does this mean for Americans currently facing financial barriers, though, and more importantly, what can be done… Read more »
Dumpster Dive Deliciousness
The first three facts listed in Rob Greenfield’s Huffington Post article, “The Food Waste Fiasco: You Have to See It to Believe it,” are jaw-drop worthy enough… We throw away 165 billion dollars worth of food per year in America. About 50 million of our 317 million Americans are food insecure yet we produce enough… Read more »
Fresh Take: Summer Intern Shares his Perspective
This summer, Loaves & Fishes welcomed Morrel Francis to the team to learn about the different facets of a non-profit organization. Morrel, who is now a senior at Naperville North High School, was an eager student and provided excellent feedback and insight as he worked with staff. We are excited to see what the future… Read more »