Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc.

Loaves & Fishes will be closed Monday, September 2nd and will not be open for distribution Tuesday, September 3rd. We will have our regular drive-through distributions Wednesday (Sept.4), Thursday (Sept.5), and Saturday (Sept.7). Happy Labor Day!!

Read our 2023 Impact Report -

2023 Impact Report We're sharing our annual 2023 successes online this year to direct more of your gifts toward providing essential produce and protein to pantry visitors. Your continued support makes it possible for Loaves & Fishes to purchase, rescue, and provide a dozen eggs, at least 20 pounds of fresh fruits ...

Wow! Thanks so much to Companion Animal Fund and St. Anne's-Belfield School staff for your hard work to help us and Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle provide pet food in addition to people food for those who seek our support!

🏅 Celebrating Record-Breaking Numbers at Our Pantry! 🏅

As we approach the closing of an incredible few weeks of Olympic feats, we’re thrilled to share some remarkable milestones achieved right here in our healthy food pantry!

📅 July Highlights:

* Total Individuals Served: 8,000 unique individuals, with 11,013 duplicated individuals receiving groceries.
* Households Supported: 2,113 unique households were provided with essential food items.
* Record-Breaking Distribution: On Thursday, July 25th, we set a new all-time record by serving 260 households in one distribution event!

Being able to serve these numbers reflect the tireless efforts of our dedicated team and the generous support of our community. We’re incredibly grateful for every volunteer, donor, and partner who has contributed to making this possible and the continued support and commitment to our mission. 🌟

We tried to be open tonight, but since our operations are outside and the wind and rain has picked up so much in the last hour, we need to close, Thursday, August 8, 2024. We will open again Saturday morning.

Loaves & Fishes helps give out free groceries CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- With grocery prices continuously rising it is no shock that many families struggle to stretch their food dollars.

Loaves & Fishes is delighted to have Bank of America's support this year. Their $7,500 grant is making it possible for us to provide free, healthy groceries to 10,000 people each month since January. That's an unprecedented 96% growth in the number of people facing food access challenges. Bank of America's grant is helping us keep our commitment to always stocking fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, milk, and eggs.

During one of our cooking classes recently, we tried making quick and easy breakfast recipes. Try these delicious recipes at home. Enjoy!!

Reminder Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry will be closed July 4th - July 6th. There will be no food distribution Thursday, July 4, 2024 and Saturday, July 6, 2024. We will resume food distribution by appointment Tuesday, July 9, 2024 and drive-through Wednesday, July 10, 2024.


La despensa de alimentos de Loaves and Fishes estará cerrada del 4 al 6 de julio. No habrá distribución de alimentos el jueves, 4 de julio de 2024 y el sábado, 6 de julio de 2024. Reanudaremos la distribución de alimentos con cita previa el martes, 9 de julio de 2024 y servicio al carro miércoles, 10 de julio de 2024.

We've had a couple of staff shake-ups and are needing to hire for one more position on the MARKET STAFF! We are looking for someone available on Saturdays (most important) and can add a few other shifts as desired to round it out (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays).

Do you love farm fresh foods, working with your hands, getting 💪🏿 strong and being part of an awesome community? Email us today! Position begins immediately and is seasonal through November.

🤩☀️💦 Awesome news! Beginning tomorrow, Sunday, June 23, all spray grounds will be open from 8am to 9pm daily. Spray grounds are located at Tonsler Park, Forest Hills Park, Belmont Park, and Greenleaf Park.

Beat the heat at your local library! Central Library is a designated cooling center for the City of Charlottesville, and at every JMRL library branch you'll find air conditioning, free WiFi, public computers, newspapers, magazines, kids' activities, and more! Check jmrl.org for branch locations and hours.

Due to the extreme heat predicted tomorrow, the Pickleball fundraiser for Loaves & Fishes at Greencroft is cancelled.

Don't miss this great event at Washington Park June 29th. There will be many great organizations sharing information as well as some great activities and prizes!! We will be in attendance so stop by and say hi!!!

Please join us at the 3rd annual Healthy Streets Healthy People Fair on Saturday, June 29th at the Washington Park, in Charlottesville.

If you enjoy gardening and want to support Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, consider donating fruits and vegetables. These are among the most needed and requested items at our pantry. Our goal is that every household receives a bag filled with fresh produce when they visit up to twice a month. We’ve also had the opportunity of introducing new fruits and vegetables to many of our visitors.

Donation Drop-off
Monday, Thursday and Friday
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Tuesday
9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Go to the far back side of the building and ring back doorbell for fresh food donations.
Thank you for being part of our mission to provide healthy and nutritious food to those in need.

Looking for something fun to do in the month of June? Register to play Pickleball with Piedmont Area Tennis Association (PATA) at Greencroft. It will take place June 22, 2024 from 2-4pm and part of the proceeds will benefit Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Don’t miss out on the fun!!!

Location: 575 Rodes Dr, Charlottesville, VA
Register or link in bio: https://form.jotform.com/241043757968164

If you receive SNAP benefits and are age 60+, get $50 extra for produce at farmers markets!

Are you 60 or older and on SNAP*?
The Farm Market Fresh program will give you $50 to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.
*Applicants can meet income requirements without being on SNAP

Apply at the Farmers Market Ix Art Park on Saturdays (8am-12pm) and receive your vouchers the next Saturday!

Apply and receive your vouchers at the same time when JABA attends the market on JUNE 22 or at our booth at the "Healthy Streets Healthy People" event at Washington Park on JUNE 29 (11am-2pm).

Virginia Farmers Market Association
Virginia Fresh Match
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Eat Smart Move More
Virginia Family Nutrition Program
The Virginia Department of Social Services
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Charlottesville Public Housing Association of Residents - PHAR
JABA Charlottesville
Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging
County of Albemarle
Charlottesville Parks and Recreation

We’re honored to provide healthy food to people who need help accessing it with the support of UVA Health!

Are you 60 years of age or older and interested in fresh fruit and vegetables? Apply for $50 in vouchers to use at the Farmers Market!!!

More Info: https://www.vda.virginia.gov/farmmarketfresh.htm
Application: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=qeUKYsFOoE-GQV2fOGxzCWFuyEem8NJOq6WahnFAzDpUMVFDTFhGTjlYMDRMTkdBWkIxRUJJNEFSTy4u

BREAKING NEWS! Eligible seniors can get $50 in fresh fruits and vegetables. Apply online or at the Farmers Market Ix Art Park on Saturdays and we will distribute your vouchers the following Saturday! Market Central staff are able to help with the application process. Please SHARE with seniors you know.
More info in the comments.

During our latest cooking class, we partnered with to welcome two refugee mothers, empowering them to explore new fruits, vegetables, and cooking appliances. They had the opportunity of using a stove, blender, microwave, and air fryer to prepare heart-healthy vegetable recipes including greens, carrots, spaghetti squash, sweet potatoes and more. They also learned about ways to prepare complementary foods for their small children using fruits and vegetables. If you are interested in a class, we offer interpreters in Spanish and Dari.

Registration is required to attend. Classes are taught by registered dietitians and have limited capacity. To learn more about signing up, contact us:

434-233-4446 (text)
434-996-7868 (call)
[email protected] (email)

Read Loaves & Fishes' May 2024 Food For Thought -

Loaves & Fishes' May 2024 Food For Thought

Loaves & Fishes is closed for the Memorial Day holiday Monday, May 27, 2024 and is not offering food pickup by appointment on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The pantry is open for drive-through food distributions on Wednesday, May 22, from 2-4 pm, Thursday, May 23, from 6:30-8:30 pm and Saturday, May 25, from 10 am - 12 pm, and the same hours on Wednesday May 29, Thursday, May 30, and Saturday, June 1.

TEFAP is vital for food pantries like us as it provides essential resources and nutritious foods that help sustain families seeking food-assistance, particularly in rural areas where access to grocery stores is limited. Send a message to Congress urging them to strengthen TEFAP in the next farm bill!!

Tell Congress: Strengthen TEFAP in the next farm bill Join me in taking action to fight hunger today.

Given graduation is right around the corner we want to thank all our UVA volunteers graduating this weekend. Thank you for dedicating your time and effort to support our mission. Whether you sorted, packed, or distributed food, your contributions have made a significant impact on our community. Congratulations on your accomplishments and the difference you have made through your volunteer work. As you move forward in your endeavors, we wish you the best of luck and hope you continue to bring your passion for helping others to future projects. Keep up the amazing work in making a positive change in the world!

*Pictured Left to Right (Steven, Brianna, Daniel)

We are honored to be chosen as a Champion of the Community by the Cav Futures Foundation with an inaugural grant!