Loaves & Fishes Community Services

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Caroline Senetar, a beloved member of our Community Advisory Council. Caroline brought warmth, kindness, and deep dedication to everything she touched. Her light and compassion will be deeply missed by all of us at Loaves & Fishes. 💛 Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this time. Visitation will be this evening, Thursday, April 10, 4:00-8:00 PM at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 11, 10:30 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church.  For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/g9QazikP

We are thrilled to share an incredible donation from our amazing partners at Materne Inc., made possible through the ID Logistics warehouse facility in Lockport! Seventeen pallets — that’s 25,730 lbs and 4,488 individual family servings — of GoGo squeeZ fruit packets have made their way to us! This nutritious, kid-friendly snack is now brightening our market pantry shelves, fueling our spoke distributions, and already being shared with other local food pantries. 💚 We are beyond grateful for this generosity and collaboration in the fight against hunger. Thank you, Materne and ID Logistics, for helping us nourish families across our community! #FoodInsecurity #CommunityPartners #GoGoSqueeZ #EndHunger #Transforml

🔥Spotlight on Mesón Sabika! 🔥 Chef Crispin Plata is bringing the bold flavors of Spain to the competition on April 17th—come cheer him on at Chef Showdown! Located just west of downtown Naperville, Meson Sabika has been a beloved part of the community since 1990. Set on a pristine four-acre estate, the 1847 mansion welcomes guests with old-world charm and elegance. Whether you're dining in one of the mansion’s eight traditionally decorated rooms, enjoying a corporate event in the Pavilion, or relaxing on the scenic patio, the vibrant Spanish cuisine and expertly crafted drinks create an unforgettable experience. https://lnkd.in/dfUwHkW7 Thank you to Hossein Jamali and Meson Sabika for your continued support in #EndingHunger and #TransformingLives! 👉We only have a few tickets available - www.loaves-fishes.org #MesonSabika #SupportLocal #ChefShowdown

Egg prices have skyrocketed nearly 60% — and families already struggling are feeling it the most. At Loaves & Fishes, we're seeing more people than ever needing help just to put basics on the table. Read more about how this is affecting Loaves & Fishes and how you can help in this month's Positively Naperville: https://lnkd.in/gURnMFPy #StampOutHunger #FoodInsecurity #RisingFoodCosts #EndHunger

It’s Food Waste Prevention Week! Did you know that up to 40% of food in the U.S. goes uneaten? That’s food that could nourish families instead of ending up in landfills. At Loaves & Fishes, we’re committed to reducing food waste and fighting hunger. Whether rescuing food, educating our community, or making the most of every donation, we believe every bite counts. Here are some easy tips to try at home: 🥕 Plan meals 🍓 Store food properly 🥙 Love your leftovers 🥫 Donate non-perishable, unexpired food Together, we can protect the planet and help our neighbors. #FoodWastePreventionWeek #EndHunger #TransformLives #FoodInsecurity

Grateful to Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) for the opportunity to appear on Spotlight Naperville with our CEO Mike Havala, EVP Advancement Megan Lynch, and host Jane Wernette! We had a meaningful conversation about how Loaves & Fishes Community Services is meeting an unprecedented level of need in our community. Today, we serve over 10,000 individuals each week—triple the number from just a few years ago. And the need continues to grow. As families struggle with the rising cost of living and limited access to support, we are preparing to serve even more people in the months ahead. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community and the innovative Hub-and-Spoke distribution model, we’ve been able to expand our reach, lower costs, and increase access to nutritious food across DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties. Every dollar donated, every volunteer hour, and every shared story makes a difference. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient community. 📺 Watch the full interview: https://lnkd.in/g-EtR44c #EndHunger #Transformlives #FoodInsecurity #CommunitySupport #SpotlightNaperville #NCTV17

📢 SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, May 10! 📢 The need in our community has never been greater. Loaves & Fishes Community Services, Illinois' largest food pantry, now serves over 10,000 individuals every week—three times more than in 2022. To meet this demand, we distribute 20 tons of food daily across DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties and have quadrupled our food purchases. You can help. 💚 Join us for the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive! Place nonperishable, unexpired food items near your mailbox on Saturday, May 10, and we'll ensure they reach families in need. 🥫 Together, we can make a difference. 🙌 📍 Learn more: [https://lnkd.in/gqdVPAys) #BetterTogether #CommunityMatters #StampOutHunger #EndHunger

⭐ Spotlight on Entourage! ⭐ This new local favorite is bringing their talented chef to compete on April 17th! Come and cheer them on at Chef Showdown. Blending tradition with bold, global influences, Entourage creates unforgettable dishes—think specialty cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and creative spins on comfort classics. Whether celebrating in style or keeping it casual, you'll feel right at home in their warm and inviting atmosphere. https://lnkd.in/gH59JEWA Tickets are going fast! https://lnkd.in/g9P89z-G #EntourageNaperville #ChefShowdown #SupportLocal

🔥 Meet Team Mesón Sabika – Chef Showdown Contenders! 🔥 As we gear up for Chef Showdown, we’re excited to introduce the Sous Chefs for Team Meson Sabika, Kristen Refness, and Adam Fuchs! We asked them a few fun foodie questions—here’s what they had to say: Q: If you had to impress someone with a meal, what would be your go-to dish? 👨🍳 Adam: “My wife is by far the best cook in our house, but one of her favorite meals is tortellini with kielbasa sausage, spinach, and tomatoes that I cook on the griddle top. If I can impress her, I must be doing something right!” 🥩 Kristen: “Beef Wellington—classic, elegant, and always a showstopper.” Q: What’s your ultimate guilty pleasure food? 🍫 Adam: “I love Reese’s Pieces and peanut butter M&Ms—can’t resist them!” 🧀 Kristen: “Cheese! Any kind, any time.” Will their culinary skills take them to victory? Stay tuned to see Team Mesón Sabika in action at Chef Showdown, supporting Loaves & Fishes Community Services! Tickets are flying, so secure yours today! 👉https://lnkd.in/g9P89z-G #ChefShowdown #TeamMesonSabika #FoodieFavorites #EndHunger

🎉 Congratulations to our friends at the People's Resource Center on the expansion of your Wheaton campus! We appreciated the opportunity to tour your beautiful new facility yesterday and connect with fellow nonprofit leaders dedicated to creating lasting change. Thank you for the warm welcome and for the impactful work you do every day. We're grateful to serve alongside other organizations like PRC in the broader effort to address food insecurity and help our neighbors thrive.   #CommunityImpact #FoodSecurity #NonprofitLeadership #StrongerTogether