Loaves and Fishes Updates
January 2022
Our annual Chili Sale this year is very different - in fact, it's DISAPPEARED! Yes, COVID strikes again! Unfortunately, due to the latest highly-contagious variant, we have to shut down the Chili Sale this year as we don't want to expose our team of cooks, volunteers, and staff. But for those who want to support us, we're holding a "virtual" Chili Sale - you pay whatever you'd like and get the satisfaction of supporting us with no weight gain! In return, if you would like, we'll send you the recipe of our delicious meat or veggie chili so you can make it at home. Plus, we're going to have an outdoor barbeque event in April that should satisfy those taste buds - stay tuned! Click here to make a donation and include your email and a note on your "order" if you'd like a recipe!
November and December 2021
Our Pride for Parents Christmas Store had tremendous success again this year! As a better way to assist our families and neighbors who do not have the resources to provide toys for their kids at Christmas, we served 184 families in this, our 7th year! Rather than a “handout” like the typical Angel Tree approach or community give-away events, Pride for Parents offered a “hand UP,” helping families make their own gift selections, have pride in paying for the gifts they select at deeply discounted prices, and enjoy the love, fellowship, and community of our volunteers! We were supported by donations from local churches, community groups, and local businesses in addition to a large number of individuals! We especially want to thank Siemens Healthineers in Cary and The Fred Smith Company for their first year holding corporate toy drives and providing volunteers for us!
October 2021
Twice this month we had the pleasure of gleaning sweet potatoes again! The kids (and adults) who participated enjoyed sunshine (although a bit chlly!) and the opportunity to see just how productive NC farms are! We delivered bags of potatoes to all of our families and look forward to doing this again next year! Thanks to the Society of St. Andrew for hosting us!
Each day, most participants at Loaves and Fishes are picked up at their schools by our staff, relying on our mini-buses. As gentrification has raised rents and displaced affordable housing in Raleigh, many of our students have moved further from our program delivery location resulting in a more complicated pickup process. That same relocation requires us to help take some students home at the end of program. Needing additional transportation capacity, and sometimes dealing with repairs and maintenance issues, we were blessed to acquire a "new" minibus from Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church! It has been well-maintained, had less than 40,000 miles, and was perfect - especially when the church gave us a "sweetheart deal!" Thanks to Kirk of Kildaire!
August 2021
When Loaves and Fishes began in 1982, no one knew how long we would exist as an organization, how significant our impact might be, and the miracles we would experience. Our first home was in the facilities of Westminster Presbyterian Church. We also enjoyed many years at Milner Memorial Presbyterian Church, and Mount Peace Baptist Church. All have been wonderful and the source of strength and great memories. While the COVID Pandemic has disrupted our physical location, we've been blessed to have temporary homes at The Wade Edwards Learning Lab and Southeast Raleigh Table. But now we have experienced yet another miracle: beginning September 13, we will welcome our students to our "new" home - back at Westminster Presbyterian Church! We'll be scheduling an Open House in the near future and invite you to come see us "back to the future!"
July 2021
We are excited to be planning for our 40th anniversary in June 2022! Loaves and Fishes has enjoyed an outstanding history, touching the lives of hundreds of children, many of whom are now responsible adults in our commuity. The relationships we have built through the years are key to the success of the participants in our program, but our staff, volunteers, and supporters have grown thrrough those relationships, too! Over the next few months, we'll revisit our history and celebrate with each other - check on our website and social media pages to see event that you might attend and ways that you can support the journey on our Road to 40!
June 2021
Our Board of Director consists of community members who are passionate about children and want to see all young people succeed both academically and as citizens. Serving staggered three year terms, we currently have 11 members on our Board. Click here to see the members of our Board and email our Board Chair, Vielka Gabriel, if you have interest in pursuing a role in the direction of our organization.
April 2021
Our Board of Directors reviews our financial condition on a regular basis and is responsible for the approval of our operating budget. Loaves and Fishes' fiscal year ends on May 31 and the new budget year begins on June 1. This year, of course subject to the impact of the COVID pandemic and the success of our financial supporters, the board approved a budget of approximately $232,000, in line with the previous year. As a 401(c)(3) tax exempt organization, our annual financial information is available through Guidestar at www.guidestar.org/.
Candid Gold Seal of Transparency
Loaves and Fishes earned the Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid GuideStar.
Click here to view our profile.
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