Finding the True Meaning of Volunteering
Everybody wants to feel valued. When I speak, I want my remarks to be noticed. If I participate, I want my efforts to matter. But present day conveniences allow for inertia to leave me feeling fully engaged. Checking Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, emails, texts, Instagram and auto reminders from several meet up groups…I am blitzed with… Read more »
A Start to a Healthy Year
The beginning of the year is a natural time to think about goals for the future, and personally speaking, health goals always seem to be at the top of my list. In fact, many of us are realizing the impact of our day-to-day food choices on overall health, and the importance of being proactive in… Read more »
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 »
The Importance of Year-End Giving
As many of us conclude another wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and reflect on how lucky we all are, it is also a time to think about those less fortunate than us and any giving that we might consider before year end. With that in mind, here are a couple issues to consider: The estimates from most… Read more »
What’s in Your Diet?
National Geographic gives us a wonderful view of the world from the 50,000 feet perspective, and consumption patterns described here are particularly interesting. The diagrams are a startling depiction of what everybody has suspected for some time now: we are eating far too many foods containing fats and sugars. If that is true in most… 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 »