Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa
Loaves & Fishes mission is to feed the hungry of Contra Costa County unconditionally, through the use of a large number of volunteers throughout the central and eastern portions of the county.
Description:
Loaves & Fishes is the largest provider of hot nutritious meals to the hungry in Contra Costa County. Additionally, we are the only agency in the county providing hot meals five days a week to the hungry. We serve anyone in the community who is hungry. About 600 meals are served daily. Since its inception in 1983, Loaves & Fishes has founded several dining rooms (now including partner dining sites) in Contra Costa County where over 3,300,000 meals have been served.
In February 2002, Loaves & Fishes completed the idea of having a Catering Kitchen and opened it in Pittsburg, CA. We immediately began working on expanding our services throughout Contra Costa County. The Catering Kitchen is approximately 1750 sq. feet and is fully equipped to prepare 1,200 meals per day. The Catering Kitchen allows us to serve at the 3 dining rooms and 4 partner dining sites located throughout Contra Costa. Many of our sites are experiencing greater than 50% increase in need since 2008; we already serve over 100,000 meals each year. Our dining rooms are located at First Baptist Church in Martinez, St. Anthony's Church in Oakley, Crosspointe Family Church (formerly United Pentecostal) of Antioch, as well as at partner sites in Antioch, Concord and Walnut Creek (refer to our Website: www.loavesfishescc.org for details).
We abhor all racial and religious prejudice and are in adamant opposition to any threats of violence, particularly those that are rooted in discrimination. Rules for acceptance and participation in our program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, and mental or physical challenge. To all who come, we offer a friendly environment, a warm meal, and a ray of hope. And to our volunteers, we offer the opportunity to feed your spirits!
History:
After witnessing growing numbers of people looking for food in a neighborhood dumpster, Pauline Brisbin and Lucy Zendaez, both Contra Costa County residents, felt compelled to act. They started making sandwiches and handing them out, from the back of a station wagon to these hungry people. Other concerned citizens began to help Pauline and Lucy. They approached St. Peter Martyr Catholic Church and asked for the use of its basement to prepare and serve meals. The first day they served twenty-six meals. However, the number of people who arrived at the newly formed soup kitchen grew quickly. More volunteers were recruited and local companies started to donate food, allowing the dining room to serve a mid-day hot meal five days a week. After several months, hundreds of meals were being served daily, without charge to the recipients. Anyone, without qualification, who enters the dining room, was provided a meal. In May 1983, a 501(C) (3) non-profit corporation was formed with the name "Loaves & Fishes."
Contact people:
Office fax number: (925) 687-3474
Address:
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1985 Bonifacio Street
Suite 100Concord, CA 94520-3474(See a map) |
Web Site: http://loavesfishescc.org
Directions:
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Headquarters office location only. This is NOT a dining site. |
| Last updated on October 6, 2009 |
