Clarksville, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Loaves & Fishes broke ground on its new $1.5 Million facility on Wed., May 8 at 11am. The new site, located at the corner of Crossland and Greenwood Avenues will be the future home of all Loaves and Fishes operations in Clarksville.
Among those attending the ceremony were Loaves and Fishes board members including Capital Campaign Board Chair, Jill Crow and Loaves & Fishes Board Chair, Tamara Long. Site contractors,past and present board members, and members of the founding and supporting churches were also in attendance.
Jill Crow expressed the vision of the six-acre plot that will become the new facility for Loaves & Fishes. The facility will enable the ministry to provide all of their services under one roof. Currently the non-profit organization feeds the hungry six days a week and distributes food to area agencies through volunteer efforts. Loaves and Fishes serves approximately 45,000 – 50,000 meals yearly. The organization also has a Food Distribution Center that distributes thousands of lbs. of food to approximately 30 other churches and agencies helping the needy in the Clarksville community.
Board Chair, Tamera Long expressed how the new facility will benefit Loaves & Fishes and the Clarksville community.
“It [the new facility] is an opportunity to address the needs of more of our neighbors in need in one place as opposed to have to move around constantly or not where to go for help. It expands our ability to help people in a residential area as opposed to a downtown business district also.”
Plans for the new 14,000-square-foot facility include a dining room capable of holding 250 people, a community gathering space, a large kitchen and a food warehouse and distribution center. The new facility will be located on Crossland Ave. near Greenwood Ave. Loaves and Fishes plans to move into the new facility by 2021.
According to Crow, the capital campaign has raised over $1 Million dollars so far. Anyone wishing to support the building of the new facility can go to loavesfishescampaign.org to make a donation.
Currently, Loaves & Fishes serves around 200 meals per day six days a week with a new program, “Blessing Bags” to help with Sunday food service. Their “Soup Kitchen” serves meals between 10:30AM and 12:00PM, Monday through Saturday. Donations can still be made as usual, from 8am to noon Monday-Saturday at the 215 Foster St. location.
To learn more about Loaves & Fishes go to loavesandfishestn.org or call (931) 645-9020.