Purpose
Loaves & Fishes Apopka was selected as the organization for the analysis. The purpose is to serve people’s expressed physical and spiritual needs in Apopka and the neighboring towns in the name of Jesus Christ, the Compassionate Savior (Loaves & Fishes, n.d.). Everyone can find themselves in a predicament that requires the assistance of others. There are several reasons why someone could ask for help, including, but not limited to, disability, loss of employment, being a single parent, being a retiree on a low income, or losing a house.
Funding Sources
Loaves & Fishes is a non-denominational Christian non-profit organization supported by donations from churches, companies, businesses, institutions, civic groups, and people. For instance, churches assist the organization in a variety of ways. Some offer volunteer services and monthly contributions, while others organize food drives to maintain the pantry.
Loaves & Fishes is supported by monthly financial donations, food aid, toiletry drives, Christmas gift donations, required home products, and volunteer hours; the organization receives no government assistance. For instance, for March, an anonymous donor will double all gifts up to $50,000 (Loaves & Fishes, n.d.). This person is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, and it serves to buy food and supplies in quantity to deliver quality goods to members. Nonetheless, there are many ways to contribute, including financial assistance, food drives, toiletries, hygiene products, clean linens, minor kitchen items, BOGO (Buy One Give One), holiday meals, and new gifts for Christmas. Loaves & Fishes publishes a newsletter several times a year to inform members and supporters of the organization’s needs and operations.
Major Programs and Services
Loaves & Fishes provides food to approximately 300 qualifying low-income individuals and households every week. They offer cleaning products, toiletries, home items, infant essentials, and pharmaceuticals, as well as financial aid every month. In addition to delivering extra food bags to families, the organization provides a daily packed lunch to around 38 homeless persons four times weekly.
Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, customary holiday food bags are distributed. Members also receive a Publix gift card for Thanksgiving and a Dollar Tree gift card for Christmas. Moreover, Loaves & Fishes offers Christmas packages containing small chocolates for each client and new gifts for grandparents and parents to present to their grandchildren or children. If a person resides outside the service area, they will be given a complimentary overnight bag of food during the usual operation hours for Orange County residents, which are Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Eligibility of Recipients of Services
To become a new Loaves & Fishes member, one should call the organization to qualify and arrange a visit. The interview should take at most ten minutes, although this is subject to volunteer availability (Loaves & Fishes, n.d.). The organization requests that individuals bring the following items to the discussion.
The first document verifies the current address for all adults and children residing in the home. A birth certificate is allowed for children aged five and younger. A school paper or other mail with the name and address of the kids who attend school.
The second is confirmation of current earnings for all adults and children residing in the family. The last document needed is a housing statement, such as a lease contract, mortgage, or property tax statement. Volunteers help the community by greeting and welcoming clients, reviewing new applications, updating current customers, responding to calls, and collecting donations from local companies. Many workers know the members by their first names and are eager to assist the families.
Reference
Loaves & Fishes. (n.d.). Each donation is an essential help in someone’s life. Loaves & Fishes. Web.