Loaves and Fishes is Building a Brighter Future

Construction is under way on the new Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, scheduled to open in early 2011. 

Executive Director Charles McLimans says the building, at 1871 High Grove Lane in Naperville, will help transform lives through increased capacity to provide food, essentials and services.

"We have a unique opportunity to address a variety of needs," McLimans said. "Loaves and Fishes is often the first face of the community's generosity that people see because everyone needs to eat."

The new building will more than double the capacity of the 8,000-square-foot facility the organization currently leases on Fifth Avenue. With the additional space, Loaves and Fishes will offer a larger distribution center stocked with a wider variety of fresh and refrigerated foods available during extended hours.

The organization also is forming collaborations with several key community partners to provide on-site access to resources and life skills, including nutrition counseling, financial literacy, health screening and public benefit enrollment assistance. These strategic alliances will provide clients with convenient centralized access to a variety of agencies and services they can utilize while getting food for their families.