According to America’s Second Harvest, a leading national advocate to end hunger, “One in four people standing in a soup line kitchen is a child. “ This rings true in Shasta County. We continue to see an increase in single mothers with children in extreme poverty, often on the verge of homelessness. Loaves and Fishes has seen a huge increase in single parents and grandparents coming in with hungry children. Let’s face it, we live in a service based community. Would you be able to house and feed your children if you were a single parent working in the service industry in Shasta County? While we cannot remedy the political and social issues of our county, we can step it up to meet the needs of our precious younger generation.

With 2008 in full swing, it has become increasingly apparent that with increasing need and decreasing donations, Redding Loaves and Fishes has been left with no alternative to reducing services. Our board has made a painful decision to reduce services from twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays down to just Saturdays. Saturday was chosen as so many of our clients work during the week and are unable to access services. We plan on making this change as of April 1, 2008.

RLF would like to send out a special thank you to Legacy Home and Loan center located at 1095 Hilltop Drive. These wonderful folks put on a great food drive complete with free hotdogs and drinks. The food drive would not have been as successful without the announcements made by our friends Billy and Patrick at Q-97FM. We were blessed with sunny weather, good friends and a great location.

Grocery Outlet has graciously offered to host a food drive on March 14th and 15th from 11-6. We hope to see each and every one of you there!

Please trust that RLF optimizes your donations and gifts which is stretched even further since we are 100% Volunteer, i.e.. No salaries to meet prior to helping those in need! Is your Church participating in this worthwhile Christian endeavor? We encourage readers to "plant a seed" at their home Churches, and watch the blessings grow !

Again, we personally invite you to become or continue to be a part of Redding Loaves and Fishes in any way that you can. All parts are equally important, prayers, donations, volunteering, planning, food drives, we appreciate your involvement! Please keep an eye out for our upcoming food drives!

Redding Loaves and Fishes Pantry Needs

Redding Loaves and Fishes is in the process of preparing for long,hot summer. We are hoping to collect the following items to stock our pantry in anticipation of the continuing needs of the less fortunate:

New Sleeping Bags

Bibles/New or Gently Used– We have quite a few adults looking for ! Perishable and Nonperishable food items

Can openers

Gift Cards

Hygiene products (soaps, feminine products, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.

Medical supplies-cold medicine (children and adult) Tylenol, cough drops, rubbing alcohol, Neosporin, first aid kits, etc.

Gas cards

Bus passes

Dog and Cat Food

Children’s list

The children that come to visit us do not take anything for granted. They love anything we give them but their eyes really light up when we hand them a new stuffed animal, stickers, candy, color crayons, pens, pencils,

Hair ties, brushes, you know, anything your own children/grandchildren enjoy.

We also need children and teen bibles. Diapers, baby wipes, baby food, etc is all very much appreciated.

We love it when our donors use their imagination and surprise us! We encourage you to have fun with your ideas! No donation is too great, too small or even too unusual.

God Bless you in Jesus name!