Loaves and Fishes distributes boxes of food
By Robert Cloud
For more than a decade, Feeding America, a nationwide anti-hunger organization, has been working with Loaves and Fishes Ministries at Faith Community Church in Waupaca.
With food donated from Pick ‘n Save, local farmers and gardeners and deliveries from Feeding America, Loaves and Fishes distributes food from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of every month.
Ann Guerin, who helps organize Loaves and Fishes, said families whose last names begin with letters A-L may pick up food on the second Friday of the month, while those whose names last names start with M-Z pick up on the fourth Friday.
Loaves and Fishes asks for a donations of 25 cents per pound to fill a box with food.
However, Guerin also noted, “Anyone in need of food is never turned away.”
When they walk into the food pantry, participants receive starter boxes, usually the size of those used to ship bananas.
The starter boxes are filled with non-perishable foods and they receive another box to fill with perishable food.
A variety of meats, cereals, canned goods and produce are distributed to area families.
“We have food out on the tables,” Guerin said. “Depending on what has been delivered, we tell them how much they can take.”
Loaves and Fishes encourages people to pick out the things that they want.
No proof of income or residency is required.
Although Loaves and Fishes can feed up to 100 families a month, Guerin said the number of participants have dropped significantly during the pandemic.
She estimated that only about 25 families are currently taking advantage of the program.
For more information about the program, contact Ann Guerin at 920-562-8931 or Elisha Barnett at 920-867-4707.
Faith Community Church is located at N2541 County Trunk K, across State Highway 22 from Waupaca High School.