Loaves & Fishes Partners with 360 Youth Services
Loaves & Fishes Community Services and 360 Youth Services have created a unique partnership to assist young men, ages 18-24, in the 360 Youth Services transitional housing program who lack the credentials and experience necessary to be competitive candidates in the workforce. These youth face many challenges in their quest for self-sufficiency, including unemployment. Since… Read more »
Spending a Week on Food Stamps Taught Me a Lesson That Could Aid All Grant Makers
Could you take the SNAP challenge? Loaves & Fishes supplements SNAP (food stamps) with all of the food we provide our client families. from the Chronicle of Philanthropy: “The number of Americans who are too financially strapped to pay for food has grown to an unconscionable number, but still the problem gets little attention in… 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 »
Virtual Backpacks become real for L&F students
The Virtual Backpack Drive conducted online from July 18-31 resulted in generous donations that allowed Loaves & Fishes to purchase an additional 500 backpacks for students entering Grades K-12. These backpacks joined the many school supplies collected by Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, which has spearheaded this effort for the past 10 years. On Saturday, August 6th, Loaves & Fishes distributed 600 backpacks and school supplies kits at our first Back2School Fair, which was attended by more than 350 families. Several of our partners were on hand to provide information to students and their families. Samaritan Interfaith offered creative arts therapy and information on dealing with bullying, Literacy DuPage gave away books, Naperville Police Department provided safety tips, DuPage Health Department covered the importance and correct procedure for hand-washing, Benedictine University distributed information on school nutrition basics, District 203 talked to clients about planning for higher education, Open Door offered benefit information, and Sharing Connections offered referrals for furniture and clothing. Donated raffle prizes included Great Clips haircuts and haircut coupons, Supercuts haircuts, gift certificates for a 6” Subway sandwich, a gallon of milk at Aldi, and passes to the DuPage Children’s Museum. On Monday, August 8th, volunteers led by Nancy Couch of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church assembled another 1,000 school supplies kits. We will distribute them through August 20th during all food pick-up sessions. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this possible!