SACRAMENTO, Calif. — 2023 marks 40 years of service for Sacramento Loaves and Fishes. The non-profit organization provides warm meals and assistance to people experiencing homelessness.
On Sunday, the community gathered at St. Mark's Methodist Church to celebrate the work of Loaves and Fishes.
Chris and Dan Delany founded Loaves and Fishes in 1983, opening a small dining room. Back then, they fed around 70 people living on the streets of Sacramento.
Loaves and Fishes has grown to now serve 300-500 people a day.
"They created Loaves and Fishes as an intentional space where these folks can be seen and heard, and for a lot of them, it is the lifeline that keeps them going from today into tomorrow," said Angela Hassell, executive director of Sacramento Loaves and Fishes.
Sunday's celebration was also held in memory of Chris Delany, who died last month. Founding Executive Director LeRoy Chatfield encouraged the community to keep her mission going.
"It falls to us to continue Chris Delaney's hospitality to the homeless, to the hungry and to the indigent poor of Sacramento and welcome them to Loaves and Fishes as guests," he said.
In addition to meals, the nonprofit also offers programs and services for homeless adults and children. Thousands of volunteers each year help the nonprofit serve the community.
"The need is still great and as long as there is a need in Sacramento. As long as there are homeless folks in Sacramento, we'll be here to serve them as best we can," Hassell said.
The non-profit serves more than 130,000 meals each year.
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