Loaves & Fishes is a non-profit Christian charity which operates a soup kitchen and shelter for the homeless. It also operates a thrift store whose proceeds go toward their charity work, as well as other educational and outreach programs.
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Soup kitchen
| Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen | |
|---|---|
| Location | 257 East Lee Street |
| Hours of Operation | Breakfast: M-F 7:00 AM Lunch: Sat: 11:30 AM Dinner: Mon, Wed: 5:00 PM |
| Phone number | (850) 438-7616 |
| Website | http://www.loavesandfishessoupkitchen.com/ |
According to its web site, Loaves & Fishes serves approximately 4,600 meals each month. For members of the homeless community at large, the kitchen serves breakfast daily, lunch on Saturdays, and dinner on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Lunch and dinner are served daily to those in the Loaves and Fishes emergency shelter.[1]
What is now the Loaves & Fishes soup kitchen began in February 1983, when Richard Humphreys, owner of the Child Restaurant, began serving free suppers to the homeless.[2]
In 1991, the Loaves & Fishes soup kitchen moved into its present location at 257 East Lee Street. The facility has a large kitchen, dining area, and 39 beds for emergency housing for homeless families.[3]
Richard Humphreys remains the executive director of Loaves & Fishes and estimated in 2008 that the charity had served more than two million meals to the homeless.[3]
Thrift store
| Loaves & Fishes Thrift Store | |
|---|---|
| Location | 1620 North Palafox Street |
| Hours of Operation | M-F: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Sat: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM |
| Phone number | (850) 438-4166 |
| Website | http://www.loavesandfishessoupkitchen.com/ |
Loaves & Fishes operates a thrift store whose proceeds go toward their charity work. The store retails donated clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances.
Other operations
In addition to the housing provided at its main facility, Loaves & Fishes also provides transitional housing for families in the process of returning to self-sufficiency.[3]
Loaves & Fishes also operates the Living Well Center, a Christian outreach and education program. The center provides Bible-based parenting and life skills training to families in the emergency shelter, those in the transitional housing program, and female inmates in the Escambia County Jail.[3][1]