Loaves & Fishes

The Loaves & Fishes ministry organizes parish members into the communal action of donating food, personal goods and service to those in need.  The original food collections evolved to serve many other needs in Ventura/Los Angeles Counties.

How does the food collection work?  Our parish has been divided into four geographical areas which are asked TWO times a year for a bag of groceries. The food is picked up on the third Saturday of the month and brought to the Church parking lot for sorting and boxing before being picked up by specified service agencies for distribution to needy families. 

Who gets the food?  Catholic Charities, Dolores Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, Impacto/Underwing, Lighthouse Shelter for Women and Children, and Care and Share are regular recipients.  The converted dollar donations are used to help more than 20 other organizations.

How can I help?  You can call and/or pick up food twice a year; sort/box food on collection day, or donate when you are called.  You can also donate each monthly collection.

Loaves & Fishes includes the following ministries

• Baby Day:  In June baby items are collected for struggling moms and newborns. Kevin Kozal 818-707-7629
• Back-to-School:  In August school supplies are collected and distributed. Mark/Nelly Paris 818-991-3846
• Bikes 4 Kids:  Used bikes are repaired and donated to children. Adult bikes are accepted for transportation to work. Arthur Estrada 818-571-7079
• Coats for the Cause:  Each October, gently used outwear is collected and distributed to agencies for homeless clients. Rosemarie/Carl Lindner 818-889-3242
• Eye-to-Eye:  Old eyeglasses are collected and distributed for reuse.  Megan Weddle 818-889-1279
• First Communion Clothes and shoe gift cards are collected for needy kids. Madeleine Giberson 805-495-4067
• Frank’s Homeless:  Packs and distributes Care Bags prepared with donated items and given to service agencies for local homeless.  Donation dollars are used to provide specific items needed by these same organizations. Lee/Rob Martz 805-492-2139
• Holidays for the Homeless:  Private donors provide funds to prepares packs containing warm clothing and other items for Christmas gifts to homeless individuals and special items for children at Easter. Steve/Pam Yantzer 818-706-0691
• St. Jude’s Recycling Program:  Redeemable bottles and cans are collected year round to provide funds for purchasing items for the homeless. Arthur Estrada 818-571-7079
• St. Jude’s Clothes Closet:  Clean, gently used clothing is collected to be given to service organizations for those in need.  Special focus is placed on clothing for women re-entering the work force. Megan Weddle 818-889-1279
• Sandwiches for the Children:  Sandwiches for children at Las Familias, Impacto, and Underwings are prepared each Monday after a food collection. Courtney Scott-Miller 818-390-0429
• Service Day:  Three times per year teams perform needed services for people in need because of physical limitations, age or extreme circumstances. Irma Haldane 805-657-6278
• Kids helping kids:  Year round kids’clothing by kids enabling young people in the parish to help their peers in need.  Sue Cass 808-735-7946.