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 »
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
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 »
What can you eat with $4 a day?
Where would you begin if you only had $4 to spend on a day’s worth of meals? Recent online articles have showcased this emerging dilemma that many individuals and families are facing on a daily basis. For instance, in “The Percentage Of Americans Who Can’t Afford Food Hasn’t Budged Since The Recession Peaked,” Hunter Stuart,… Read more »
World Food Day
Thanks to our community partners, Loaves & Fishes is able to feed our neighbors daily through our Community Food & Nutrition Program. On October 16th, we join together, as part of an international initiative, to strengthen our efforts to eradicate hunger. According to Lester R. Brown, President of the Earth Policy Institute and contributor for… Read more »
Refrigerated Truck Creates More Opportunities
The top priority of Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry’s strategic plan isto provide the broadest array possible of healthy and diverse food options.—Loaves & Fishes consulted with its Nutrition Advisory Council (NAC), comprised of nutritional experts and licensed dietitians, for advice to achieve this goal. With a client base transcending all ages and diverse cultures, nutritional considerations are… Read more »
Rep Bill Foster (D-IL) visits Loaves & Fishes
Congressman Foster recently toured Loaves & Fishes in response to our letter regarding the Farm Bill. We are sharing the letter’s contents here. Please see pictures from the visit and tour below. Dear Congressman Foster: Loaves & Fishes has a vital interest in advancing the Farm Bill. We serve over 600 low income households every week,… Read more »
Thanksgiving – families served Nov 13-20, 2012
From November 13th through the 20th, Loaves & Fishes served 4,185 persons, of whom 1,839 were children, 2,118 adults, and 228 seniors, in a total of 996 households. Yes, this is a record week. However, each of these persons and families received a generous amount of food, including a turkey with all the trimmings for… Read more »
Naperville Community Gardening Update
from Ron Ory: Since the nights are now starting to cool, we planted four flats of lettuce started by Pat, and seen here being watered by Ellie: And the harvest continues: We’re over 2,300 pounds! Thank you, Master Gardeners and Naperville Community Gardeners! Published with permission from Loaves & Fishes Community Services Source.
To Beat Odds, Poor Single Moms Need Wide Safety Net
During our last fiscal year (July 1, 2011- June 30, 2012), Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry helped nearly 1,500 single mothers of 3,500 children. From NPR, by Pam Fessler: Once a thriving railroad hub and factory town in southeast Pennsylvania, Reading has a poverty rate of 41.3 percent and is labeled America’s poorest city with a population of 65,000 or more. “Single mothers have an especially hard time getting out of poverty. Households headed by single mothers are four times as likely to be poor as are families headed by married couples. Still, many of these women are trying to get ahead. Some know instinctively what the studies show: Children who grow up in poor families are far more likely to become poor adults. These mothers often rely on a network of support — not just from food stamps, housing subsidies, welfare, or other government programs people usually think of. They also depend on charities, churches, family, friends, personal drive, ambition and even luck to stay afloat.” Read full article here .