31.9 F
Naperville
Friday, March 29, 2024

Hope at Home

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by Brittany Gottschalk

This past holiday season was a time to reflect on why we are grateful. For many, it may be the ability to surround ourselves with friends, family, warmth – and especially, food. Buying, preparing, and eating meals with those that we love is a communal activity that can be taken for granted.

As an intern at Loaves & Fishes, I embrace their mission that food is a right, not a privilege, which is why I believe spotlighting food assistance initiatives is so important.

The Loaves and Fishes Market is well-known, but another important food program exists as well. In addition to the market, Loaves and Fishes offers Home Delivery which brings options to home-bound, low-income seniors. With the wide array of food that is offered, clients can count on essential groceries being delivered to them.

A few times a week, volunteers stock vans full of meat, produce, dairy, and non-perishables to meet the needs of our senior neighbors. Five senior citizen complexes eagerly await the arrival of Loaves & Fishes volunteers.

Clients look forward to interacting with volunteers. Sue Swedler, part of the home delivery team for ten years, has built a rapport with various clients. “The most rewarding part about this job is building intimate relationships,” Swedler remarked. Relationships are hope personified.

During the holidays, there is an influx of help offered by the community, however, the struggle continues all year long for many of our neighbors. Volunteers are appreciated all the time at Loaves & Fishes. Bob Holubka, a Home Delivery volunteer since 2016, believes that it is a great privilege to help others noting, “For a lot of these clients, we are the highlight of their lives.”

For me, volunteering at Loaves & Fishes is a highlight of my life.

Brittany Gottschalk is an intern at Loaves & Fishes and pursuing a masters’ degree in business psychology. If you would like to learn more about the Home Delivery Program, please email volunteer@loaves-fishes.org.

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Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fisheshttp://www.loaves-fishes.org/
Loaves & Fishes is an anti-poverty, hunger relief agency that serves the western suburbs of Chicago.

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