Warm Blankets and Happy Hearts
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Every
Saturday we hit the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul with groceries, hot soup, and sandwiches to help those struggling to find stable housing. In October we partnered with RPM Drymate with the assistance of ProAct, to deliver warm, soft blankets with a waterproof coating on the back; the perfect combination for those in need as winter approaches.
For Loaves & Fishes, it’s all about partnerships. I’m very proud of the work we are doing with other non-profits to help them with food and meals for their residents. The Hub initiative has 63 partners that you can see on page two of this newsletter. It is inspiring!
Loaves & Fishes is out on the streets, serving at our 31 dining sites, and connecting with shelters and other non-profits. Wherever there is hunger, that is where we will be. Trust me – I know this staff and board. They are CAN DO people. Please “can do” with us as we find hunger where it is at.
With Gratitude,
Cathy Maes, Loaves & Fishes Executive Director
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Give to the Max Day is Minnesota's day of generosity for the important causes and organizations in our community. By donating to Loaves & Fishes, you are giving hope and healthy meals to people in need.
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THANKS FOR AN INCREDIBLE YEAR!
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Serving 1.3 Million Meals in Minnesota
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Rescuing 1.6 Million Pounds of Food
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Harvesting 12,000 Pounds of Produce
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With your help, we’re breaking records! We’re rescuing more leftover food from cafeterias, businesses, and schools. We’re growing more produce at our farm and gardens than ever before. We also continue to “Find Hunger Where It’s At” and serve more fresh, healthy meals.
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More Farm Fresh Food for Minnesotans in Need
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We’re harvesting more fresh produce than ever before at our Farm for All! In 2019 alone, we harvested more than 12,000 pounds of produce, shattering last year’s record of 8,000 pounds.
This means more hungry people are enjoying more farm fresh fruits and vegetables in their meals.
In fact, we’re on track to serve over 70,000 farm-to-table meals.
Some of our most popular items are farm-grown lettuce and green beans. We’ve also harvested tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and herbs of all varieties.
Farm Manager Kimberly Greene-Delanghe said, “This has been an amazing season on the farm with a harvest of more than double our total two years ago. This means a huge increase in meals served with farm produce, too! The improvement would not have been possible without the support of all the volunteers who spent time in the fields over the past five years or without the financial and in-kind donations support of individuals and businesses like Tonkadale Greenhouse, Toro, OTI Inc., Sustane Organics, Timco Construction, Thrivent Financial Action Team Funds and so many more supporters.”
Thank you all!
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Loaves & Fishes began “The HUB” in 2018 with four partners. Now, thanks to your continued support, our program has grown to more than 63 partners and counting. The HUB allows community partners and smaller nonprofits to affordably source food needed for their own meal programs, which allows them to save on costs and focus on carrying out their missions.
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“Because we can now provide fresh fruits and vegetables, you can see a difference in the health of our
clients. They look more vibrant.
It helps a lot.
This is a huge blessing.”
Hamlet Martinez, Chef
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“Loaves & Fishes is just fabulous. Not only does it provide food but it provides food that our
young people like. It is helpful in
so many different ways.”
Joa Sevlie, Volunteer Coordinator
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“Without Loaves & Fishes, financially—we would not be able to do this at all.
It’s fresh food, not cafeteria cooking.
The food is good and nutritious, and it’s
a big reason why people
keep coming back!”
Kelli Moen, Chef/Bookkeeper
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“Loaves & Fishes is just fabulous. Not only does it provide food but it provides food that our
young people like. It is helpful in
so many different ways.”
Octavius Taylor, Kitchen Manager
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Loaves and Fishes served its one millionth free, healthy meal in October 2019, two months earlier than 2018. The momentous milestone took place October 21 and was observed at two dining sites: during at Salvation Army North in Minneapolis and for dinner at St. Stephens Church in Minneapolis. Loaves and Fishes’ executive director, Cathy Maes, presented Golden Plates to three Minnesotans experiencing hunger, symbolizing the over 1,000,000 meals served in 2019 and reflecting Minnesota’s stubbornly high food insecurity rate.
KMSP Fox 9 was on hand during lunch to
report on the event
and spread the message of the problem of food insecurity in Minnesota.
Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain access to affordable, nutritious food; hunger is a physiological condition that results from food insecurity. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) reports that 15.0 million U.S. households were food insecure at some time during 2017, with Second Harvest Heartland reporting that 1 out of 11 Minnesota households are currently affected by hunger, meaning over 500,000 Minnesotans live day-to-day with food insecurity. Even factoring in food banks, Feeding America reports 100 million meals will be missed yearly because of need.
Loaves and Fishes thanks all of who helped make sure people in need recieve a healthy meal.
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Your Donations Make A Difference
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Sara is a working mom, struggling to pay for college. Our meals help Sara provide for her daughter. Sara said, “As a parent, you always want to make sure you have enough.
This is a blessing.
”
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Larry is a senior who dines with us for healthy food and good company. Larry said, “
Yes, it helps with the budget...
” It also allows him time to socialize.
“Sometimes it feels like the walls are closing in—and I have to get out.”
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After a series of setbacks, Claudine is looking for work and housing. The meals are a lifeline.
“When I was homeless… I would try to find food anywhere I could. You have no idea how much this helps.”
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Donor Spotlight: The Moser Family
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Marlene and I have been looking for new charities to invest in. Marlene saw the announcement for Loaves & Fishes on a local TV station. We checked it out, and determined that it seemed to fit our criteria of being highly efficient, transparent, and primarily aimed at helping our local communities. We attended “A Warehouse Affair”, held in September. We couldn’t help but to get enthusiastic about the reach of Loaves and Fishes! We loved that the people being served are treated as guests, with dignity and respect. We’re attracted to the passion of the volunteers and staff, and struck by how much more need there is to fill.
Thank you for what you do, we are grateful to be a small part of it!
The Moser Family
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Did you know there are other ways to donate to Loaves and Fishes besides money? You can give an in-kind gift of securities,
a required minimum distribution of your IRA or a Legacy Gift through your will. Whatever way you give, you help us
fulfill our mission of serving free, healthy meals to Minnesotans in areas where the need is greatest.
Please contact Cathy Maes, Executive Director at (952) 992-0000 for more information.
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Loaves & Fishes is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with St. Paul-based Delicacies Jewelry. Delicacies has officially launched its FOOD IS LOVE campaign. With every purchase of their “fine jewelry for food lovers,” Delicacies will donate 10% to help Loaves & Fishes serve free, healthy meals to Minnesotans in need.
Purchase your Delicacies Jewelry and receive a 20% discount, using promo code:
loavesandfishes
. Delicacies jewelry products are also available at Uptown Minneapolis, in the MSP Airport, Bellecour Bakery in Wayzata, Continental Diamond in St. Louis Park, Amazon, and Etsy or at
www.delicaciesjewelry.com
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Help us ensure that hungry people across Minnesota can enjoy healthy
holiday meals this season. Every $25 donation provides a dozen meals!
Donate today !
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The Walk to End Hunger is a family-friendly 5K fun walk presented by The Mosaic Company. Held on Thanksgiving morning in the Mall of America, it's a great way to start your holiday off right - giving back before giving thanks!
Please join us on Thursday, November 28, 2019
and walk for Loaves & Fishes!
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Loaves and Fishes
(612) 377-9810
Meals. Comfort. Kindness.
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