Under the umbrella program of Loaves and Fishes are six separate meal ministries supported by parishioners at SJN. Two of our meal ministries were formed during the unusual times of the coronavirus pandemic when we realized that we needed novel solutions to provide food to our local brothers and sisters in need. The other programs are long-standing outreach efforts at our parish that have brought nourishment and compassion to thousands.
When: One Monday each month Giver: Parishioners Recipient: 80 Guests What: Complete Hot Dinner Where: Dinner is prepared at parishioners homes; delivered and served at Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston. Specifics: 10 casseroles, 6 large trays of salad, 7 bags of cut veggies, 8 loaves of bread, 14 dozen cookies
Volunteer Opportunities Cook dinner at home and/or serve meal at shelter
When: 1st Thursday on even months Giver: K of C, Scouts, and Parishioners Recipient: 150-200 People What: Complete Hot Dinner Where: Dinner is prepared in the SJN Kitchen and delivered to parking lots near Fairfax Circle. Specifics: Knights prepare a hot pasta dinner with veggies and rolls. Scouts make cookies for dessert, and parishioners package and distribute the meals.
Volunteer Opportunities Pack meal trays in SJN Kitchen; Distribute hot meals to walk-up clients from the van near Fairfax Circle
When: 5th Saturday of the month (7:45 a.m.-10 a.m.) Giver: Parishioners Recipient: 75 Guests What: Hot Breakfast Where: Breakfast is prepared in parishioners homes; delivered and/or served at the Lamb Center in Fairfax. Specifics: Egg casseroles, potatoes, breakfast meat, fruit, and juice
Volunteer Opportunities Cook breakfast at home and/or deliver and/or serve at the Lamb Center in Fairfax
When: 2nd Tuesday every month (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Giver: Parishioners Recipient: 75 Guests What: Lunch Where: Lunch is prepared in parishioners homes; delivered and served at the Lamb Center in Fairfax. Specifics: 10 casseroles, canned vegetables, and tuna sandwiches
Volunteer Opportunities Cook lunch at home and/or deliver and serve at the Lamb Center in Fairfax
When: Once a month Giver: Parishioners Recipient: Shelter Guests What: Complete Hot Dinner Where: Dinners are prepared in parishioners homes; delivered to the Carpenter Shelter in Alexandria Specifics: 7 hot casseroles prepared for 35 meals
Volunteer Opportunities Cook dinner at home and/or deliver dinners to Carpenter Shelter in Alexandria
When: Once a month Giver: Parishioners Recipient: Shelter Guests What: Complete Hot Dinner Where: Parishioners gather together in fellowship at one home to prepare the meal ; delivered to the shelter in D.C. Specifics:
Volunteer Opportunities Cook dinners together and deliver to shelter in D.C.
When: As needed Giver: Parishioners Recipient: Parishioners experiencing a short-term need What: Complete Hot Dinner Where: Dinner is prepared at home and delivered to the parishioner’s home.
Volunteer Opportunities Sign up for a meal as needed, cook at home and deliver it to another parishioner.
Please click here to learn more about the Meal Ministry or to request meals if you are a parishioner experiencing a short time need.
Each of the meal ministries under our Loaves and Fishes outreach needs volunteers ready to be the hands of Christ. If you would like to participate in any of these ministries by cooking casseroles, side dishes, or desserts; delivering or serving meals, please complete the form below to be notified of the opportunities to serve. Together, our souls are fed when we feed our neighbors.
If you would like to support the program with a financial donation, you can contribute directly using SJN’s online program:
Donations can also be left at the SJN parish office with checks made out to St. John Neumann and “Loaves and Fishes” indicated in the memo section. These funds help cover the cost of groceries for the up to 200 hot meals prepared six times a year.
Volunteer for Loaves and Fishes Ministries
The staff and clients at the shelters, as well as the staff and management of the local restaurants, greatly appreciate the program. We are especially grateful that the Shelter Meals Program was the recipient of a grant from Catholic Charities in 2020 in honor of parishioner Lenny Mathey (1986 – 2020).
Thank you for being a part of this effort. We hope every donor feels a sense of solidarity and satisfaction in being a part of the Shelter Meals Program at SJN!
We hope more parishioners feel the call to join Loaves and Fishes. We would love to have you!
