What is the mission of Loaves & Fishes?
Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County provides a place for free meals, hospitality, companionship and advocacy for those in need, regardless of their faith, beliefs, or circumstances.
Is Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County a 501(c)(3)?
Yes.
How does Loaves & Fishes work?
In 1983, Rev. Kathy Eickwort of St. John’s Episcopal Church brought Ithaca residents and businesses together to create and support Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County, a community kitchen, in response to the needs of neighbors suffering from hunger and poverty. Loaves & Fishes continues to rely on the generosity of St. John’s, community residents and businesses to fulfill its mission.
St. John’s hosts us. Our daily nutritious free meal and advocacy program is made possible by kindhearted volunteers – 20 each day! Most are kitchen volunteers who prepare, serve and clean up after the meal, but some are advocacy volunteers. They offer our guests compassionate and practical support. Additionally, over 25 agencies provide direct outreach to our guests during meal times, including Family & Children’s Service Outreach Worker, Catholic Charities, Food Stamps/SNAP Benefits, LawNY, Ithaca Free Clinic and Challenge Workforce.
Local businesses regularly and generously donate their goods to us including Gimme! Coffee, Ithaca Soy, Wegmans, Panera Bread, The Piggery, and many local farms. Last year we received nearly $41,000 worth of food donations.
Serving over 5,000 free meals each month and about 275 meals each day, it is a great blessing that after 40 years our partnership with local businesses, social service agencies and Tompkins County residents is stronger than ever.
Loaves & Fishes has never been simply a place to get a free meal. We have long been committed to cultivating an inclusive and supportive community of people who care for and serve one another.
Read Josh Brokaw’s wonderful article about Loaves & Fishes entitled A Miracle A Day
Are there eligibility requirements?
No. Anyone who walks through our doors is welcome at Loaves & Fishes. There are no eligibility requirements or questions asked.
How many meals do you serve each day?
Currently, we are serving an average of 275 meals daily and over 5,600 monthly.
How do I volunteer?
Do you accept food donations?
Yes, we accept food donations.
Click here for guidelines and important information.
Do you serve vegetarian or vegan meals?
Yes. A vegan option is offered every day. We always serve fresh vegetables and salad also.
Can I do Community Service at Loaves & Fishes?
Yes. To register for Community Service, complete the online volunteer registration form. When you arrive to volunteer, check in with the Volunteer Coordinator for additional instructions.
We reserve volunteer spaces for those who need community service hours. If you do not see a shift opening on the calendar for the day(s) you wish to volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Email: info@loaves.org to register to volunteer.
For more information on Community Service, click here.
Can I bring a group of people to volunteer?
Yes, to fit into our daily operation, we can take up to 4 people per shift. Individual group members must also register to volunteer. Members 16 to 17 years old may sign up for the second shift. Please schedule in advance with our Volunteer Coordinator. Loaves & Fishes is not open on weekends.
Email: info@loaves.org
Can I interview and/or take photographs of your guests for a project I am doing?
In general, our policy regarding interviewing, photographing and filming our guests, volunteers and staff does not permit people to use Loaves & Fishes as a site to complete their projects. The policy protects the privacy of our guests and the quality of experience we offer our volunteers. Only under exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Executive Director, is filming, photography or interviewing Loaves & Fishes volunteers, staff or guests permitted.
How does my agency sign up to table or provide direct outreach to guests during meal times?
Please email our office at info@loaves.org
What is the Advocacy Program?
Our guest’s need for advocacy services has always been greatly valued and appreciated. The primary purpose of our Advocacy Program is to help ensure that our guests’ most basic needs are met. Our trained Volunteer Advocates and Advocacy Coordinator accomplish this goal in various ways: by providing information to our guests about existing social services and resources, actively linking guests to these services when needed and by providing our guests with ongoing emotional and practical support. Our guests seek support for various reasons, including when they are in crisis, navigating significant life transitions, do not have enough food or when they have inadequate housing, clothing, healthcare, employment or transportation.
Loaves & Fishes provides a particularly effective environment to learn when people are in crisis or have unmet basic needs. When hungry, most people seek help in obtaining food as it becomes a matter of survival. However, many people are less likely to ask for help if they have other unmet, but often critical needs because they have no idea how to get these needs met or have given up the expectation that their life can be any different. Additionally, many of our guests have no family, friends or co-workers that can offer assistance to them during times of need.
How is Loaves & Fishes funded?
Loaves & Fishes is primarily funded in the following ways:
Nearly 80% of Loaves & Fishes budget needs are met by generous individual gifts received throughout the year.
Grant awards are gratefully received from the Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Foundation, Park Foundation, Triad Foundation, United Way of Tompkins County and through our federal (Emergency Food Shelter Program/FEMA), state (Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Prevention Program) and county governments.
Annual Fundraisers: Empty Bowls and Finger Lakes Runners Club’s Annual Turkey Trot.
How long has Loaves & Fishes existed?
Loaves & Fishes was established in 1983.
Who comes to Loaves & Fishes?
Our guests include the unemployed and underemployed, persons on inadequate public assistance and their children, people dealing with chronic mental or physical health challenges, the working poor, veterans, the homeless, people in crisis, and anyone desiring companionship.
Are the meal programs called Loaves & Fishes located in other cities affiliated with Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County?
No. The Loaves & Fishes name is common for meal sites or feeding programs throughout the United States because of the “The Feeding of the 5,000” miracle described in all four Gospels of the New Testament. (Matthew 14:13 -21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15)
Is Loaves & Fishes operated by St. John’s Episcopal Church?
No. Loaves & Fishes is a 501(c)(3) organization that is separate from St. John’s Church. However, we have a very special partnership with the church because they have given us the use of their building and facilities rent-free since our founding in 1983.
Is Loaves & Fishes a Living Wage organization?
Yes. Loaves & Fishes is an equal opportunity employer that provides a living wage and is committed to a diverse work force.
