Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry 4 The People: Nourishing Coffs Harbour
Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry for The People
Founded in 2005, Loaves and Fishes has emerged as a cornerstone of kindness and support, embodying the true spirit of a community pantry. Our mission extends beyond merely providing food; it’s about fostering a culture of giving, where every act of generosity helps someone in need. By creating a sustainable solution to hunger, we give more than just a handout—we offer a hand up to those facing hardships, allowing access not only to food staples but also to items that bring joy.
As a beacon for the community, Loaves and Fishes supports thousands of families across the Coffs Coast, offering groceries at a fraction of supermarket prices. Our success stems from the kindness of partnerships with Foodbank Australia, local businesses, and the giving hearts of our community members.
Transitioning from a simple pantry initiative to a comprehensive community food pantry for the needy, Loaves & Fishes exemplifies the power of community kindness, significantly reducing the need for food vouchers and uplifting countless lives.
Services We Offer
NourishCoffsHarbour: Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is more than a food source—it’s a lifeline that embodies the essence of a community pantry. We provide essential services to those on a pension, low income, or experiencing a crisis, with the aim of fostering independence and resilience. Our offerings include:
Foodstore
The store offers you staple foods such as fruit, vegetables, bread, as well as an range of other common products found in supermarkets.
OpShop
We offer a wide range of quality clothing, bric-a-brac, books, accessories, toys at a fraction of the cost of retail outlooks.
Community Shed
Our communal shed houses a large range of tools and equipment that can be used for all manner of repairs and maintenance.
Fishing Club
Loaves and Fishes aims to bring fellowship and an interactive fishing experience to disadvantaged members of the community.
Soup Kitchen
Every Sunday Loaves and Fishes provides hot meals to people who are facing social disadvantage and need a good feed.
Life Skills Training
We offer financial counselling and personal budgeting, grief counselling, anger management with the aim of regaining independence in your life.
Bus Pickup Service
Loaves and Fishes runs a pick-up and drop-off service which runs between Sawtell and Moonee at a cost of $5.
Emergency Accomodation
Although not presently offered, this is a service that we are looking at incorporating into our service model.
Supporting Our Mission Through Donation
Each donation to Loaves and Fishes is a ripple of kindness, enabling us to extend our hand to someone in need. Whether through food, funds, or volunteer time, your generosity is vital to our mission. We invite you to contribute to our community pantry, amplifying the impact of our collective efforts.
Discover how you can join this movement of kindness and giving by visiting our contact page. Together, we can ensure a brighter, more supportive future for everyone in our community.
Fearless Leaders
Guided by the principles of kindness, giving, and community support, our leadership team, alongside dedicated volunteers, drives the mission of NourishCoffsHarbour: Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry forward. Meet Wayne Crowther and Russell Jones, our managers, whose commitment to service embodies our core values.
Wayne Crowther
Loaves and Fishes Manager
Wayne, as the co-manager of the Food Pantry demonstrates his full commitment to making a difference to making a difference in his community by also being the Manager of the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Store.
Russell Jones
Loaves and Fishes Manager
Russell, as the co-manager of the Community Pantry and pastor of the Abundant Life Church is following a deep heart centered calling to ensure that the Mission Statement and goals of our church are brough to fruition.
Our Work
We invite you to see the transformative power of community kindness through our pantry’s activities. Our visuals showcase the impact of every donation and volunteer effort, illustrating how together, we can nourish and uplift the lives of countless individuals.