Frequently Asked Questions
Loaves and Fishes
What is Loaves and Fishes?
Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen partners with faith and community groups to provide an evening meal seven nights a week. We generally serve 70-175 people a night, and the soup kitchen is open all year round.
Where is Loaves and Fishes?
1509 Ashley Street Columbia, MO 65201
Behind the power plant on the east side of the Business Loop- in the old VFW building.
Behind the power plant on the east side of the Business Loop- in the old VFW building.
When does Fairview United Methodist Church serve at Loaves and Fishes?
We serve on Fifth Wednesday of the month.
What sort of food do we serve?
We have three standard meals:
Baked ziti in 9x13 pan, dinner rolls, green beans, and dessert item
Breakfast casserole in 9x13 pan, muffins, and fruit
Pizza, salad, dessert item
Having a standard menu allows folks to plan and take advantage of grocery sales. Please use your favorite recipe.
Baked ziti in 9x13 pan, dinner rolls, green beans, and dessert item
Breakfast casserole in 9x13 pan, muffins, and fruit
Pizza, salad, dessert item
Having a standard menu allows folks to plan and take advantage of grocery sales. Please use your favorite recipe.
What does serving at Loaves and Fishes consist of?
We make food in our homes and bring to Loaves and Fishes. We prepare the space, heat food, serve guests, do dishes, and clean up after. There are tasks to complete that are either guest contact or non-contact. There will be a Point Person from Fairview for questions.
How can I contribute?
With your prayers, gifts, service, and presence!
You can bake, cook, prepare food
You can serve as a designated volunteer:
Volunteer Coordinator
arrive at 3 PM, greet volunteers, match them with a job, give them
information needed to complete their job, answer questions, etc.
Prep Person
heats food in Fairview kitchen ready for the couriers to take at 2:40 PM
Courier
transports food from the Fairview Kitchen to Loaves and Fishes at 2:40
PM it is best to have two couriers to work together
Drink Coordinator
arrive at 3 PM, prepare coffee and lemonade
You can serve as a general volunteer:
Prep Crew 3:00-3:45 PM get ready to serve
Meal Serving Crew 3:45-5:15 PM
Dish Washing Crew 4:30-6:00
Clean Up Crew 5:00-6:15
You can bake, cook, prepare food
You can serve as a designated volunteer:
Volunteer Coordinator
arrive at 3 PM, greet volunteers, match them with a job, give them
information needed to complete their job, answer questions, etc.
Prep Person
heats food in Fairview kitchen ready for the couriers to take at 2:40 PM
Courier
transports food from the Fairview Kitchen to Loaves and Fishes at 2:40
PM it is best to have two couriers to work together
Drink Coordinator
arrive at 3 PM, prepare coffee and lemonade
You can serve as a general volunteer:
Prep Crew 3:00-3:45 PM get ready to serve
Meal Serving Crew 3:45-5:15 PM
Dish Washing Crew 4:30-6:00
Clean Up Crew 5:00-6:15
What if I am not available until after 5 PM?
No problem! Dishwashing and clean up require many hands and both happen after 5 PM. Coming at or after 5 is essential to making our Loaves and Fishes meal a success.
Where do I bring the food I’ve made?
You can take it directly to Loaves and Fishes on Wednesday at 3 PM or drop it off in the Fairview Kitchen before 1:15 PM on Wednesday. Feel free to bring food to church on Sunday and keep in the freezer or fridge. Email the office to let them know what food you put where.
What happens to my pan?
The folks serving at Loaves and Fishes will bring all pans back to church. Find yours in the new kitchen the following Sunday.
We will provide ingredients
If you are willing to bake, cook, or prepare food for Loaves and Fishes we can supply funds for the ingredients. Just ask Pastor Nancy and she’ll get you want you need.