STORY ONE: families
Tonya J. moved to Bloomington, MN in December with her eight children in another attempt to get away and stay away from a physically abusive husband. Classes at a local social service agency brought referrals to several south metro resources, including the Loaves and Fishes dining site. At first, embarrassed to be relying on community resources to help feed her family, she and the children have now found new friends and new acquaintances and always feel welcome whenever they come for dinner. The children oftentimes visit with the many seniors that make up the majority of those who come for a meal and respite
STORY TWO: seniors
Ed and Marion come to our Creekside dining site almost every night. They are collecting social security and Ed has a disability. Marion spends much of her time caring for Ed. He served in World War II and earned a Purple Heart. They are seniors who are living on a small fixed income and most of their savings are gone. They have been married sixty-two years and they still live together in the same house they've lived in for most of their married lives. They have been coming to Creekside off-and-on since the mid-nineties. They have health issues as most seniors do. They don't make enough money to pay the bills, buy prescription drugs and still have enough for food. They, like so may seniors, make choices on a daily basis between which basic need takes priority – health, hunger, the bills, housing maintenance, etc… Loaves and Fishes provides a supplemental evening meal that directly benefits their daily lives.
STORY THREE: woman
I have lived for fifteen years on the street. Even though I am homeless Loaves and Fishes has helped me with hygiene items, a coat and warm sweat shirt in the winter, a pair of gloves and boots and a hot meal. This is a great program. I honestly don't know what I would do if you were not here.
STORY FOUR: man
My mom told me about this program. I've been coming here for about eight years now. I was homeless. I'm not now. But I sure can't get my own food. By having a hot meal it makes things better. I really like this program. You help people who are having all kinds of troubles.
