2. “Hunger Has No Season”

3. Enfield Loaves and Fishes is a Local Area Soup Kitchen providing hospitality to all those in need by offering meals, aid, and companionship at no charge. Meals are served starting at 4:00 pm Sunday through Friday and Saturday starting at 11:00 am. The demand for our service to the community is rising steadily. We rely primarily on volunteers and donations from civic organizations and businesses.

4. Facts: We have gone from serving 15,625 meals in 1992 to 45,383 meals in 2006. We are staffed almost exclusively by volunteers from the community and operate under the guidance of a Director and a volunteer Board of Directors. Food and commodities are supplied through local businesses, schools, private individuals, churches, civic organizations, as well as federal and state programs

5. Last year we served 45,383 meals, of which: 18,646 (41%) were served to children Another 9,175 snacks were given to after school programs through (ERfC) 6,353 meals were provided for home consumption to families in emergency situations.

6. Meals are planned by the food services director and volunteers and are varied, well balanced and nutritious. Typical Meals Include: Juice Chicken with Gravy Mashed Potatoes Mixed Vegetables Rolls and Butter Cake, Pies and Ice Cream Fresh Fruit Coffee and Milk

7. Our Soup Kitchen is involved in a variety of programs to aid the disenfranchised. This past Christmas a few families were blessed to have sponsors purchase gifts for their entire family. After a delicious Christmas feast, Santa distributed gifts to over 125 children, adults as well.

8. This Soup Kitchen has a wonderful support system of volunteers and much needed community assistance. Our volunteers graciously donate their time, talent, and love—key ingredients that go into providing each colorful, nutritious and delicious serving of food for our guests.

9. Guest services extend beyond warm, nutritious food served in a family atmosphere and include resources regarding job opportunities, social services, nearby rents, and medical assistance. This year we were able to provide free flu shots to our adult guests.  Many social organizations, schools, churches, and local businesses helped provide monetary and/or volunteer support to enable Enfield Loaves and Fishes to keep up with increasing demands to aid and feed the needy. We are now able to provide meals seven days a week.

10. The Feinstein Foundation is sponsoring a one million dollar national challenge grant. The challenge period is from March 1 through April 30, 2007. All donations (cash or checks only) received during the month of March and April will be reported to the Foundation, which will subsequently distribute shares of the grant on a proportional basis. It is not a direct match, but it is a wonderful opportunity to receive some extra funds. We greatly appreciate your donation during these few months, for we battle a monster that will never be defeated: hunger.

11. So please, help us in our fight against hunger during the most difficult time of year. May your generosity be returned many fold.