The history of Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry dates back to our founding in 1984. Our growth has has been driven by increases in both the need and number of people requiring our assistance.
1984 - St. Raphael Church opened a pantry to assist families in need of food. Eight families were helped that year.
1991 - 18 area
church and civic groups came together to organize the Pantry as a
not-for-profit corporation to meet the needs of all of Naperville.
1992 - Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry opened its doors at its new location on West 5th Avenue.
1999 - A move is made to a larger location at 556 West 5th Avenue as more than 3,000 food distributions are provided during the year.
2000 - A home
delivery program to assist senior citizens and disabled residents
living in government-subsidized housing is established.
2002 - A warehouse is added at 552 West 5th Avenue to accommodate growth in food distributions to more than 9,000 per year.
2003 - Home delivery grows to include five sites. Food distributions climb to more than 10,000 for the year.
2004
- Summer lunch program established with food to make more than 17,000
distributed lunches. Approximately 950 Naperville students in grades
1-12 qualified for government lunches during the prior schools year.
2005 - Breakfast assistance program established, providing granola bars to school-aged children.
2006 - The warehouse is moved next door to 554 West 5th Avenue, allowing us to combine that unit with 556 to better serve our recipients. Mayor Pradel cuts the ribbon at a dedication ceremony.
2007 - In the fiscal year ended June 30th, Loaves & Fishes provided a record 1,000,000 pounds of food and other essentials to 1,675 families totaling nearly 5,600 individuals.
