Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long has Loaves & Fishes been operating?
We have been in existence for over 25 years. Loaves & Fishes began as a small soup kitchen in 1984.

2. What needs do you address?
Loaves & Fishes Ministries has been an independent non-profit organization that serves residents of the Asylum Hill neighborhood for over twenty-five years. Loaves & Fishes is unique in its holistic approach to services, offering programs that allow individuals to move towards personal responsibility while providing food for emergency needs. Loaves & Fishes has long worked to help our clients reach financial and responsible independence with long-term solutions to poverty and homelessness. However, we also realize that emergency needs are often a huge stumbling block for many individuals who come to us. Our holistic approach means that we are able to impact many aspects of our clients' lives, and they are able to utilize various programs which meet their changing needs while having the continuity of a trusted staff who knows them.

We serve more than 34,500 meals in our soup kitchen each year, to 80% minority clients, and 40% percent female clients. Ninety-eight percent of our clients are from the Greater Hartford area. The over-whelming growth population continues to be Latino, both male and female. Both the Caucasian and African-American populations have decreased by about 10% due to movement out of the city. Our female population decreased somewhat due to "Welfare to Work" initiatives several years ago, but is once again rising as more Hartford females need our programs. Single mothers and families remain a large portion of our population. Homeless figures are notoriously difficult to pin down, for the reason that many clients stay with friends or relatives on a rotating basis but have no permanent home. Identification is required for all programs other than the soup kitchen. Our numbers served in the soup kitchen are rising as a result of recent economic downturns

3. Where do your volunteers come from?
Our volunteers come from a variety of area churches, synagogues, business, and school. In recent years we have added several new groups of volunteers, and our calendar is full! Please see Volunteers for more information.

4. How is Loaves & Fishes funded?
Our main source of funding is from individuals, corporate giving, and private foundations. We receive federal funding, from the Federal Dept. of Labor, for our Opening Doors employment training program. Private individuals account for almost 40% of our income, corporate donations equal 35%, and foundations make up 25%.

5. How can I get involved?
Send us your name and address through Contact Us to explore becoming involved in a variety of ways. Or, see Volunteers for more specifics about groups you might join who are already affiliated with us.