Stories of Hope

This year, Loaves & Fishes is celebrating a special milestone—our 40th Anniversary. As we enter the Thanksgiving season, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect on the many blessings in our lives. Loaves & Fishes has been blessed with a community that continues to support our mission.

Give the Gift of HOPE The Holiday Season is approaching!  Your gift will provide a family with a complete Holiday meal and, more importantly, the gift of HOPE! Make a monetary donation here or visit our Virtual Food Drive and select the Holiday Meal.  

Joining the team at Loaves & Fishes Community Services last November was a profound and transformative experience. I

  https://tinyurl.com/Napmagazine Naperville Magazine 2024

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, Loaves & Fishes Community Services remains a beacon of hope for 8,000-9,000 individuals each week by providing healthy food and impactful programs to promote self-sufficiency. As the largest food pantry in Illinois, its impact resonates far and wide.

As Loaves and Fishes heads into its 40th year, one volunteer’s been with them for the long haul.

In 1984, a dedicated group of compassionate members of St. Raphael Catholic Church realized there were families without enough food, so they assembled a small food pantry in a closet of the church. Today, 40 years later, Loaves & Fishes is serving more than 8,000 people each week in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties. There are 2.3 million people in these four counties and 1 in 5 people are in low-income/poverty. The story of how Loaves & Fishes went from “there to here” reflects thousands of people who were inspired to join along the way making a profound difference to those in need.

As we embrace the warmth of the summer season, many of us spend time in our gardens, enjoying the harvest, sharing with family and friends, or pickling and preserving. Gardening has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with an increasing number of individuals cultivating their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This summer pastime also provides an opportunity to help families struggling to keep food on their table by donating homegrown produce. Not only does this provide access to fresh, healthy food, but it also promotes self-sustainability, environmental awareness, and a strong sense of community spirit.

We are so very proud of our new Moving Up Graduates! These ladies committed to this program and discovered what was holding them back from living a more self-sufficient life. We are very thankful for the program’s facilitators, Donnishia Brown and Dr. Catherine Jackson, and the dedicated volunteers who provided services and meals each week…. Read more »