Ravenna – Ravenna is on the rise! This lovely town of roughly 12,000 is home to unique businesses, unique history and a caring community. The Loaves and Fishes outreach program is an example of the care that is evident in Ravenna.
Loaves and Fishes is a program aimed at food-insecure people in the area, all are welcome to participate. This program happens every Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30. Volunteers open the doors of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC), located 263 S. Prospect, and serve sack lunches to those in need. Although located at the FUMC, it is a collaboration of local churches and individuals in the area. Community support includes our commissioner, Christine Bennett, who sponsored an entire lunch. Donations of food, time and/or money have been made by many more.
- Church of God, Ravenna
- Salvation Army
- First Congregational Church
- BB Rebecca
- Church of the Nazarene
- Freedom Fellowship
- Ruth S. and Monday Bible Study
- Kelly L.
- Collaboration with Center of Hope
Loaves and Fishes has been running for approximately 20 years. It began when founder, Naomi Muster, was in a small church group which was assigned a helping project. This group painted two rooms of the church, then wanted to do more. One member suggested a food service. This was eventually approved for a six-month trial period. That ‘six months’ has lasted twenty years and is serving more than ever! Naomi and her sister Carol ran it for twenty years, but have retired recently. Eileen Eberly, Diane Carden and Kimberly Franklin have stepped in to continue this worthy project. Most recently, it has served up to 120 meals. When Kimberly was asked for a mission statement, she reflectively paused, trying to capture the care and dedication that goes into it weekly…”Our mission is to serve community friends and neighbors who are hungry.”
For Franklin, this has become a family affair. Kim’s brother, Kiev Schwab, brings his whole family! Mrs. Kim Schwab and daughter Olivia are key supporter of this project. They are regularly assisted by volunteer Sandy Hughes. This past week also had volunteers from Freedom Fellowship, a loosely organized church of Kent State students and alumni. Freedom Fellowship are frequent volunteers, often sending members to help 2 to 3 times a month.
Kim has an eye to the future for Loaves and Fishes. She is looking to do a Tie-Dye Fest as a fundraiser. If interested, stop by the Magnolia Market on a Friday evening and let her know. This generous and busy(!) family has also been instrumental in organizing and running the Market.
She is also working to collaborate with Rural Relief Mobile Pantry. Located in Rootstown, this worthy program takes the food to the people. They have an eye-catching green bus that makes weekly deliveries to outlying areas of the county. More information on the Rural Relief will be upcoming, but for now, look them up on Facebook, or check out their website at https://rrmfp.org.
There are many ways to help the Loaves and Fishes project. You can sponsor a lunch by making/bringing the lunch to the church any week, just contact the church at (330) 297-7196. You can also do a partial sponsorship, or volunteer your time. Monetary donations are accepted through the church. Just send a check to:
First United Methodist Church
263 S. Prospect St.
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
*Please write ‘Loaves and Fishes’ on the memo line of your check!
