MONROE — The Loaves & Fishes Community Meal program is back and ready to serve meals again, organizers said this week. The nonprofit project was created in 2011 and this month will celebrate 13 years of bringing the community together. As with many programs, the COVID-19 pandemic created huge obstacles for meal sites and restaurants alike. The Loaves & Fishes board members made every attempt to keep the program going, even offering drive-up service at one point.

The problem was that this nonprofit was created to bring people together for fellowship, community, and a meal. Loaves & Fishes served an important role for our Green County community members because it provided a monthly social outing, something that just can’t happen with a driveup meal program.

As a result, by October 2023, it seemed the nonprofit had lost too many volunteers and would not be able to rebound from the pandemic. Fortunately, a group of community members came together with one mission: to save the Loaves & Fishes program.

“It has been so exciting to see community members with diverse backgrounds join together, and share in this mission along with the expertise of the existing board members to build a new, stronger, board of directors to keep this great nonprofit moving forward,” said Rick Gleason, one of the organizers. “The COVID pandemic presented some struggles but it did not take this group down. We are back and stronger than ever. Thanks to some great volunteers, we now even have a website, www.loavesandfishesmeals. org, a Facebook page, and yes, a Loaves & Fishes phone number — 608-909-1555.”

The meal schedule will remain the same as in the past, always on the fourth Sunday of the month from 4-6 p.m. at Grace Luthern Church, 1025 15th Avenue in Monroe. The site is handicapped accessible and the church has been most generous in allowing us to use its facilities.

“Our first Meal of 2024 will be the fourth Sunday in May, (Memorial Weekend) and is sponsored by The Monroe Noon Optimist Club,” Gleason said. “The holiday meal will be a Memorial Day cookout with brats, hot dogs, baked beans, cheesy potatoes, tossed salad, and cake in celebration of our 13th anniversary.”

The project is always looking for additional volunteers and meal sponsors. Those that would like to get involved can contact volunteer coordinator Jean Sinkule by Facebook or by phone.

“Thank you to such a generous and caring community for your support through the years,” Gleason said.