By Nicole June

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Members of the Clarksville Rotary Club learned more about the recent efforts made by the Loaves & Fishes food program during the club’s Feb. 27 meeting at the Villages at the River Club.

Tracy Jackson, a Rotarian with First Presbyterian Church, spoke on behalf of Loaves & Fishes, which helps feed the hungry in the Clarksville area.

Jackson shared details about the organization’s ongoing Capital Campaign (New Move-New Vision), which aims to raise at least $2 million to build a new facility near Greenwood Avenue and Crossland Avenue.

The proposed 13,000 square foot facility would replace the current facility at 215 Foster Street, which is an Activities and Outreach Center owned by First Presbyterian Church.

“We believe the facility that’s currently being used by Loaves and Fishes is just not large enough,” Jackson said. “This makes it much more efficient.”

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Currently, Loaves & Fishes serves hot meals to those in need six days a week, but hopes to expand that service to seven days. Jackson stressed that no one who comes to Loaves & Fishes for a meal is turned away and there are no requirements for those who are hungry.

The organization also distributes thousands of pounds of food to other agencies in the area to help those in need.

Though Loaves & Fishes employs some workers, the majority of the tasks are taken on by volunteers from the Clarksville-Montgomery County community who donate their time and efforts to the organization. The soup kitchen serves approximately 200 meals a day and approximately 45,000 – 50,000 meals yearly.

Plans for the new facility show a dining hall with a seating capacity of 250, a community gathering space, offices, a food storage warehouse, large kitchen space, and a potential place for other nonprofits to work. Jackson said Loaves & Fishes hopes to make the facility available for rental purposes as well.

The organization hopes to have the new facility fully operational by the beginning of 2021.

Jackson said there is a need for an adequate space to feed the homeless and those who are food insecure in the community.

“We need to take care of those folks who are not able to feed themselves,” he said.

Those who wish to donate to the Capital Campaign for Loaves & Fishes can do so in a number of ways, explained here.

Food donations are also accepted on a daily basis.

Want to be a volunteer? Helping hands are always needed in the following areas:

• Serving of food & drink
• Clean-up
• Holiday program
• Administrative help
• Phone monitor
• Warehouse
• Food distribution to other agencies
• Food drivers (for food pick-up)
• Greeters
• Supervisors
• Meal preparation
• Meal set-up

Sign up to volunteer online, email info@loavesandfishestn.org, or call 931-645-9020.

Follow Loaves & Fishes on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

ABOUT LOAVES & FISHES
Loaves & Fishes feeds the hungry six days a week and distributes food to area agencies through volunteer efforts. The organization serves approximately 45,000 – 50,000 meals yearly on site. The Food Distribution Center also distributes thousands of pounds of food to approximately 30 other churches and agencies helping those in need in the community.

The Loaves & Fishes “Soup Kitchen” serves meals between 10:30 a.m. and noon, Monday through Saturday. Donations are accepted at 215 Foster Street from 8 a.m. to noon Monday-Saturday.