Staff at Saint Vincent de Paul help us practice for our opening to the public

Staff members of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP) and members of the Hess Construction crew helped the Loaves & Fishes staff practice for feeding the public prior to the dining room opening on July 7th. On Friday July 2nd we were able to feed approximately twenty people who work in the building a hot nutritious lunch, along with salad, bread and dessert.

The project, which started as a conversation almost two years ago with the prior Loaves & Fishes (LFCC) Executive Director and a SVdP board member, is now serving clients. This joint partnership between SVdP & LFCC has been a long time coming and has taken a great turn in the last few days.

“Both agencies are proud of the facility and what it means to the community,” stated LFCC Executive Director Michael Baroman-Coggins. “ This week I saw staff from both agencies doing the real frontline work, putting together carts, tables and chairs and deciding what goes where. The two agencies are working closely together with staff pitching in to help.”

For LFCC, it reestablishes a presence in the Pittsburg community. The agency started many years ago as Loaves & Fishes of Pittsburg. For SVdP, it is a realization of having a Community Room that actually serves the community at large. The plan is to use this room to support many local issues and causes. LFCC has partnered on a long term, multi-year contract to provide the food service for the dining room. In partnership with SVdP we will be able to offer our clients many other services. A free medical clinic is planned and is now in the final building stages. Catholic Charities, who also has offices in the building, is available for referrals for food, housing and clothing. The SVdP Thrift Store is available so that clients have a chance to purchase goods that can in turn support the program.

“I feel it is the best that both agencies have to offer under one roof” adds Baroman-Coggins. Meal service at the new dining room opened to the public on Wednesday July 7th, with a Grand Opening Ceremony scheduled for 10 am on July 15th.