CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Loaves & Fishes in Clarksville is hard at work with a kickoff event and plans for a new capital campaign called “New Move-New Vision” to provide more services to those in need in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

RELATED: Clarksville’s Conversation podcast with Tamara Long of Loaves and Fishes

Loaves & Fishes began 35 years ago when several women from different Christian denominations in Clarksville came together and resolved to meet the needs of the hungry in the community. One day a week they displayed a sign at the Trinity Episcopal Church that read ‘Free Soup and Bread.’

After 17 years, the organization outgrew its facility at Trinity Episcopal and was looking for a new home. First Presbyterian Church offered Loaves and Fishes their activity building on Foster Street. Now, 19 years later, Loaves & Fishes is once again in need of more space to better serve the community.

Loaves & Fishes has recently acquired six acres of land with plans for building a 13,000 square foot facility. An initial goal of $1.5 million has been set for the “New Move, New Vision” capital campaign and they are asking for the community’s help for the new project.

Chairman of the Board, Tamara Long, said they have two basic missions.

“First is to provide a hot noon-time meal to anyone in need in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area and right now that averages to about 170 meals per day,” Long said.

The organization wants to increase its hot meal service from its current six days to seven days a week. The second part of their mission is food distribution to other non profits with food pantries or meal services. Long said they distribute anywhere from 9,000 to 12,000 pounds of food each month.

There are more families, more children, and more veterans seeking help from Loaves & Fishes every day and they are determined to help their needs. There are many ways the community can make a difference.

Loaves & fishes is asking for financial pledges, in-kind gifts, food donations, or volunteers who want to be involved in the work of the organization. For more on the capital campaign visit LoavesFishesCampaign.org.

The kick-off date for the campaign is November 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverview Inn. There will be a buffet dinner, a performance of “The Dining Room” directed by Art Conn, and a social hour with complimentary beverages. Single tickets are $50 and sponsorship for a table of 10 is $1,000.

For reservations email jill@loavesfishescampaign.org or malinda@loavesfishescampaign.org or call Jill Crow at 931-648-9529.