Saturday, December 8, 2007

Loaves & Fishes

Today I went to Loaves & Fishes, which is located in Sacramento, CA. This is a place where the homeless people can go to get food, services, and are treated with respect. Everyone there is considered a guest.

I met with the Executive Director and she showed me all around. We went to one outdoor area called Friendship Park. This is a private park for the daytime use of their guests and they only have four rules: 1. No Drugs. 2. No alcohol. 3. No violence. 4. No threat of violence.

At Friendship Park, they have clean and fully stocked bathrooms, day storage, breakfast, showers and free telephones. They even have a Library with a computer learning center for their guests. We walked around the park and people would smile and nod and say hello. I have driven by this park many times and often thought it might be scary, but after walking around and meeting some people, I felt very safe, comfortable, and welcome.

They have several services at Loaves & Fishes, some of which include: a free mental health program for those who do not have insurance; an on-site free legal clinic to help with things like illegal camping, trespassing and light rail tickets; a dining room where a full course, home cooked noontime meal is served every day of the year; a day care kennel with pet food, vaccines, medical care and spay & Neuter programs are available; and several other places that help homeless women and children. There is even a school for homeless children.

I am going to attempt my first book (that is not a children's book) and it is going to be about the homeless. I am very excited because if I get the book done and it gets published, I am going to make sure some of the profits go right to Loaves & Fishes. This would be my little way of helping.

They do not solicit or accept government funds, but rely on private donations. They help homeless women and men, and like I said, they even have a school for homeless children. They really do care about their guests and I think it is a good place to help. They don't know I am writing my blog about them, but I feel it is important and I want to share. Every month they have over 1000 volunteers and I think that is fabulous. I hope someday there won't be a need for places like this, but until that day gets here, let's help make someones day a little more bearable and help them out.

If you would like to send a donation, their address is:

Loaves & Fishes, P.O. Box 2161, Sacramento, CA 95812.

P.S. Some of what I wrote came directly from their brochure. Some of what I wrote didn't. But, it is good stuff so I made sure to include what they had written on here and wanted to make sure they got credit.
(c) Cindy Breninger All Rights Reserved.

7 comments:

JustADad said...

Your compassion for others speaks volumes.

I can't wait to purchase and read your book :)

Lesley said...

That's really interesting. I've always heard of Loaves and Fishes but didn't really know anything about them. Thanks.

Kitty said...

That sounds a wonderful place. Good for you for publicising it. I look forward to learning more about the book.

:-) x

Maria said...

That sounds like a really nice place. How cool that you're going to write a book! Keep us updated about it!

Michelle Hix said...

So cool that you are doing that...I remember reading in one of your earlier posts that you wanted to do something with the homeless. Good job.

suchsimplepleasures said...

that sounds like an amazing place!
i've never heard of loaves and fishes...but, we need more places like that!
take care!

Kat Mortensen said...

Noble cause. I do commend you. Best of luck with the book. I hope you have great success and can contribute a goodly sum to Loaves and Fishes (I love the name, too.) Is it a nonfiction book, or a novel? Have you started it? Tell me more.
Kat