Posts Tagged: food

Healthy Food and Summer Needs

Mike July2019cropped

  Healthy Food and Summer Needs “Our goal is to provide people with the same quantity and quality of healthy food that others have access to.” – Loaves & Fishes CEO Mike Havala, as featured in Positively Naperville Read more→


A Year in Review

Mike

Mike Havala takes a look back at his first year as CEO and President of Loaves & Fishes Community Services. “I have been able to spend a lot more time with so many incredible people both in our community and organization. This support, as demonstrated by our volunteers, donors, partners and many others, is absolutely… Read more »


As Good As Gold?

Maybe it’s just the time of year that makes me reflect a little on the cycle of life and those of us who are now classified as “older adults.” Fall is a favorite season for me, but not so much for those who might be facing the challenges of their golden years with not much… Read more »


The Power of Community

The western suburbs of Chicago are increasingly becoming home to low-income families in search of safer neighborhoods, better schools, and affordable housing; yet, they are finding that a lack of employment opportunities and public transit are blocking their path to self-sufficiency. With the help of Loaves & Fishes, these families are connected to the resources… Read more »


Jackson National Takes Action Against Child Hunger

Loaves & Fishes’ Child Nutrition Initiative has been a crucial part of our hunger-relief efforts since 2004, when it was launched to supplement the loss of school-provided lunches for students during the summer months. As the need in our community increased, the initiative expanded in 2005 to provide breakfast foods for students during the school… Read more »


“Hunger Hits Home” Panel Considers Work Ahead

In recognition of Hunger Action Month, Jump for Food hosted “Hunger Hits Home,” a panel discussion on hunger and poverty in the western suburbs on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Benedictine University. Congressman, Bill Foster, provided opening remarks and commended the organizations present for their daily work serving and empowering food insecure families. The panelists… Read more »


“People Helping People” Philosophy Stocks the Shelves of Loaves & Fishes

Hunger doesn’t take a “summer vacation.” That’s why employees of the Naperville-based Illinois Credit Union System (ICUS) significantly increased their efforts during their annual summer food drive for Loaves & Fishes. As a result, they donated more than 1,100 pounds of food to help feed our hungry neighbors. ICUS employees collected our most needed items,… Read more »


The Return to College Ritual

The summer is passing by way too quickly. It seems like we just moved our daughter’s “stuff” home from college and she is already preparing her list of additional “stuff” to bring back to college! It was easier when her school supply list consisted of 8 markers, 4 glue sticks, 10 No. 2 pencils, 4… Read more »


Concert to End Hunger: Great Music for a Great Cause

As I’m spreading the word about Loaves & Fishes’ Concert to End Hunger, people assume I don’t know who Harry Chapin is. I was not around to buy his albums when they were first released and I never saw him live in concert. He died when I was a 1-year-old.  This weekend I’m going to… Read more »


Gardening with Purpose

I confess that my gardening experience is more limited than I would like, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m a huge fan of those talents. Gardening is a great hobby with an unmistakable benefit for those who take it on: food with flavor. Produce straight from the garden has a magic for kids,… Read more »