Yes, the famous biblical “loaves and fishes” story has in its own way been playing out across Chicago’s western suburbs since 1984. That’s when a group of volunteers opened a food pantry in a Naperville church to assist local families in need. Today, 42 years later, this enduring nonprofit organization serves 10,000 people a week across DuPage, Will, Kane, and Kendall counties. Our team is glad to have contributed to this fundamental cause.
As you know, Fuge Gives Huge is the moniker for our team's active efforts to support community-building projects. On a recent Wednesday afternoon, we suited up in our vibrant orange Fuge Gives Huge t-shirts and made our way to the Loaves & Fishes distribution hub in Aurora. The distribution hub is where volunteers like us help sort and package food donations for stocking at the organization’s Naperville market and other resource outlets.
Upon our arrival, we unloaded the canned goods and other packaged food items we collected for donation. We were then led through a brief but inspiring orientation and a quick tour of the full facility. Then we got to work.
Half of our team sorted 100s of raisin packets into bags of a dozen while the other half filled several large bins with family packs of ready-made meals donated by a popular food brand. With the guidance of longtime volunteer leaders, we packed and stacked in the warehouse’s storage and preparation room to help meet the hub’s next distribution date. We also talked, laughed, and recognized once again that just lending a small amount of time and effort can be a great help to neighbors in need.
After four decades of food support, the Loaves & Fishes story continues to multiply. The organization is in the process of expanding its distribution hub, enabling it to reach up to three times more neighbors. To learn more about the many ways you can help make a difference, visit Loaves & Fishes.
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