LOAVES AND FISHES MINISTRIES, INC.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

1.How long has Loaves & Fishes been operating?

We have been in existence for over 20 years. Loaves & Fishes began as a small soup kitchen in 1984.

2.What changes have occurred in those years?

We began by simply offering a noon meal.Our services have grown, according to changing client need, to include several job training programs, a comprehensive business training program, a Direct Aid program, a Sewing Program, and more. We have shifted our focus from crisis intervention to developing job training and personal skills necessary to gain independence.

We serve a needy population, one to whom Loaves & Fishes has made a commitment to assist and we will continue that commitment for food, clothing, counseling, emergency assistance of every type possible. That is an everyday offering – and it will continue with full support.

Our mission states that L & F should “help people in our community live with spiritual dignity and independence, caring for themselves and others, and able to fulfill their potential as children of God.”  How could we empower our neighbors to live with dignity and independence?  Could we reach out to people who had nothing to do with Loaves & Fishes?   It was certainly within our mission statement to do so and most important, we wanted to be part of positive change.  Therein began some major program changes.

First, what did we do well?  We cooked.  The kitchen director at that time began an organized, sequential training program of kitchen performance – everything from kitchen sanitation to basic cooking skills.  We have had great fun with the program – we cater many board and church dinners, 50^th wedding anniversaries, we even catered the wedding reception of Trinity Episcopal’s Rector and his wife.  Later kitchen directors were former students.  Many students obtained restaurant work.

Second, we surveyed the women who are part of Loaves & Fishes’ pantry program to find out what they were looking for as an employable skill.  A desire to learn to sew was the overwhelming response.  Sewing training grew to be a very popular and successful offering, resulting in contracts with local stores (the Landmark and Antiquarian Society, the West Hartford Women’s Exchange, J.C. Penney’s), infant layettes at Hartford Hospital and UConn for HIV+ babies, work as seam-stresses with local dry cleaners, and the ability to make their children’s clothes as well as their own clothing.  The sewing program is a sanctioned welfare-to-work training program – and thrives today.

Welfare to Work inspired us to search for ways to help our mothers – uneducated, unskilled, and often lacking language facility – find an acceptable work opportunity.  Our partner program with Aetna resulted.  Aetna provided the training, which covered all areas of food preparation with Loaves & Fishes paying each participant minimum wage.  This was an extremely intensive hands-on offering with daily oversight to oversee any emerging issues.  Virtually all the graduates found work – some at Hartford Hospital food service, two at Aetna, another managed a Friendly’s.  Due to changes at Aetna, this program had to be put on hiatus, but we are hopeful that we can reinstitute it with an appropriate corporate partner.

3. Where do your volunteers come from?

Our volunteers come from a variety of area churches, synagogues, business, and school. Please see Volunteers for more information.

4. How is Loaves & Fishes funded?

Our main source of funding is from individuals, corporate giving, and private foundations. We receive no state or federal funding whatsoever. Private individuals account for 33% of our income, corporate and foundations make up 33% and churches/ synagogues equal 33%.

5. How can I get involved?

Send us your name and address through the Contact Us to explore becoming involved in a variety of ways. Or, see Volunteers for more specifics about groups you might join who are already affiliated with us.