Loaves and Fish Ministry

Our mission is to grow Christian disciples by loving and serving others.

Loaves & Fish Ministry began feeding the hungry Thanksgiving week 1994 in response to the lack of a free hot meal available on Saturdays for Peorians in need. Since then, Loaves & Fish has been feeding the hungry every Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Upwards of 300 guests each week, including individuals and families of all walks of life, come to eat each Saturday. We believe they come not only because of the delicious and nutritious food, but because they find friendship and compassion in a safe and enjoyable place to eat and socialize. They also come because they meet Jesus in the smiling faces of our volunteers.

Our food sources are numerous. In addition to food received from the Midwest Food Bank, much of the food (unused or close dated products) is picked up each week by Heart of Illinois Harvest volunteers from grocery stores, restaurants and schools.

Since 1994, over 20,000 different volunteers have given their time to the Loaves & Fish Ministry. Our volunteers represent many different organizations including Bradley University, Boy and Girl Scouts, service organizations and numerous churches. To date, Loaves & Fish Ministry has served over 125,000 guests

Our Loaves & Fish Ministry continues to expand. Medical screening is provided to our clients on a monthly basis by a team from Prospect UMC and a tutoring program has recently been established.

Feeding the body; Feeding the spirit.

How Can I Help?
Volunteers work from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to prepare, serve and cleanup after meals. Anyone wishing to volunteer on a Saturday to help serve hot meals needs to contact Patti Bash through the church office at 673-3641. Volunteers need to be adults or have adult supervision.

You may donate non-perishable food and toiletries for our guests to take home

Food Sources
Many grocery stores, restaurants and schools donate food normally thrown away.

Job Assignments
Everyone gets a chance to help. People can volunteer for any of these assignments -

FUMC Days
The following Saturdays are designated as FUMC days. FUMC members and their friends are encouraged to volunteer on those dates. Contact the church office at 673-3641 to volunteer and let us know if you need childcare. The following Saturdays are designated as FUMC days in 2008.

Contact:
Volunteers need to be adults or have adult supervision.
Patti Bash, volunteer coordinator at 692-2664
Dorothy Price at 673-3641 ext 112
Rev. Steve Pichaske at 673-3641 ext 118