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Category Archives: Loaves & Fishes Blog
Welcoming with Open Arms – Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte Pantry Does Just That
By Ken Garfield When neighbors from around the world come to the corner of Central and Eastway Avenues, Loaves & Fishes is there to welcome them with open arms. In any language, in any culture, nothing says brotherhood like a week’s worth of groceries. Thanks to our generous supporters, Loaves & Fishes operates 35 pantries […]
Hunger, Housing and Health – Takeaways from Hunger Fighting in D.C.
From Shay Merritt, Loaves & Fishes Advocacy Coordinator I just returned from attending the Anti-Hunger Conference in Washington DC with our Executive Director, Tina Postel. The conference is a joint production of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and Feeding America. I came back inspired and energized by the wonderful work being done around […]
There Are So Many Stories Waiting To Be Told And We Need To Listen
I have always wanted to serve. I come by it honestly. One of my earliest memories is going door to door with my mother for the United Appeal—now the United Way—when I was just three years old. I would sing a song, do a little dance and my mother would ask for the money. We […]
Information Regarding the Federal Government Shutdown and Food and Nutrition Benefits February Issuance and Helpful Resources
Many of the clients that we serve receive SNAP/food stamp benefits. The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services has announced that SNAP recipients will receive their February allocations early, in late January, but then there are no plans for further funds until federal funds are authorized. Loaves & Fishes is prepared to help with any and […]
The faces of hunger in Charlotte might not be who you expect
The faces of hunger in Charlotte might not be who you expect By Courtney McLaughlin – December 28, 2018 This article is brought to you in partnership with Charlotte Five and Loaves & Fishes. In this season of plenty, it can be tough to remember that people in Mecklenburg County face hunger and food shortages. […]
Faces of Hunger: “I Would Do Without Before My Kids Went Without”
Ida and her son Keith stood in front of a shelf filled with choices of canned fruit. She gently urged Keith to make the choice for their family. When he couldn’t decide, she pointed and said, “I know you really like that.” Smiling, he nodded and put the cans in their cart. Something as simple […]
Fighting Hunger in Mecklenburg Co. where 1 in 5 Children Live in Poverty
Consider this: 130,000 people in Mecklenburg Co. live in poverty. 1 in 5 children in Mecklenburg Co. live in poverty. Last year, Loaves & Fishes provided a week’s worth of groceries to 76,517 people, enough to fill Bank of America stadium. 46% of those were children. “Investing in our future begins with our kids. For […]
“There But For the Grace of God Go I” – 4 Tips for Raising Children Who Care
by Stefanie Groot “There but for the grace of God go I.” To many it’s merely an archaic truism. Yet the saying resonates with children’s author Lois Brandt, because her father uttered the phrase when he encountered homeless people on the street and when he volunteered at San Quentin State Prison. Through her writing, teaching […]
Behind Every Bag There Is A Story
It all happens so quickly. Your child is sick and you need to take a couple of days from work to be with her. It takes longer than expected and suddenly you’re out of sick days, finding yourself having to do without a paycheck or two. Medical bills and living expenses start to add up. […]
Brianna, Joe and Nancy: Stories from a Loaves & Fishes Pantry
Fall always makes me think of hay bales, corn stacks and pumpkins. Then my thoughts move on to Thanksgiving dinner, cornbread dressing and sweet potato pie. I have been blessed that I never missed a meal due to lack of food. Money may have been tight when I was young, but I liked having breakfast […]
