• Volunteer-driven

    We are thankful for the wonderful volunteers who make Loaves and Fishes possible.

  • No strings attached

    Our mission is to serve hot meals to people in need - no questions asked.

  • Serving our community

    Loaves and Fishes operates from St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church in northwest Washington, D.C.

NEED A MEAL? You are welcome at Loaves and Fishes for:

  • a prepared lunch: 9am to 12pm every Saturday and Sunday and federal holidays
  • food pantry distribution: 9:00am to 11:00am every Saturday

Location:
1525 Newton St. NW (St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church)
lower level

Our program relies on support from individuals, communities, organizations, and foundations. Please support our mission by clinking on Donate in the menu above. Your gift, large or small, will ensure we are here to feed people who are hungry.

OUR STORY

Loaves and Fishes began as an outgrowth of St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church’s practice in the mid-1960s of providing meals after Sunday services. When nonchurchgoers who were hungry began to appear in considerable numbers, the congregation launched a meals ministry and named the program Loaves and Fishes after the account in the Bible of the miracle performed by Jesus. As Loaves and Fishes grew, other churches stepped in to help. We are now sustained by a partnership with 11 other churches, many of them in the suburbs, and diverse foundations, community groups, and individuals.

Our mission and goals are two-fold: to feed people who are hungry in our community and to educate volunteers and community members about hunger and homelessness. We are proud to serve a prepared, healthy lunch to all who come to us without regard to their age, race, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation, or lack of it.

The need for free meals is particularly acute on weekends, when most free meal programs in Washington are closed. For people who are poor and homeless, finding their next meal is a seven-day-a-week challenge. Our guest surveys have shown that most guests appreciate not only the food, which is generally rated as high-quality, but also the welcoming, calm surroundings, an opportunity to be off the streets for a while and perhaps have a game of spades or checkers while waiting for the meal.

We invite you to join us as a guest, volunteer, or financial supporter. Prepared meals are available 9am to 12pm on weekends and federal holidays and take-home groceries on Saturdays 9am to 11am at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church.