5 Loaves: 2 Fish adds Community Connect 2.0
Courtesy photo
The entire Louisiana Tech University soccer team volunteered with 5 Loaves: 2 Fish during one of the ministry’s stops in Grambling recently. The community can learn more about 5 Loaves: 2 Fish, its local impact and how to get involved during the upcoming Community Connect 2.0 event scheduled for Tuesday.
When 5 Loaves: 2 Fish held its Community Connect event in February of this year, the intention was simply to help the new ministry catch a little traction. There were no plans for any type of follow-up. But things change.
“There came a point when we realized we really have something to talk about and thus generate more interest,” said Julie Holmes, President of 5 Loaves: 2 Fish. “So, that first meeting was like a Community Connect 1.0.”
Now the ministry is poised to host Community Connect 2.0, an event designed to provide an update on all 5 Loaves: 2 Fish has accomplished while celebrating those who helped make it happen.
“We have learned so much and engaged so many groups and individuals,” Holmes added. “ Thirty- five people came to our Community Connect 1.0 and from that group, we have people that come almost every time to volunteer. So, we want to thank everyone for their support thus far, give others a chance to plug in, and even envision where we are going.”
Community Connect 2.0 is scheduled for Tuesday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p. m. in the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center. A time of fellowship and light refreshments will begin at 11 before attendees hear the leaders from different entities who have engaged in helping address food insecurity in Lincoln Parish.
“Different people will share their thoughts about the need, current programs, and additional ideas to address food insecurity in our area,” Holmes continued. “And of course, there will be a recap as we will share everything that 5 Loaves: 2 Fish has done.”
According to Holmes, the ministry held three food distribution events in 2023. Ten more followed in 2024, serving in Ruston, Grambling, Simsboro and Dubach. Meals in lowincome areas throughout the parish are currently scheduled through October. However, as the ministry grows, so must its structure and support.
“We’ve come to the point where we kinda need to graduate, so to speak,” Holmes said. “That will involve adopting a more consistent and systematic process as well as a more professional look.”
Enhancing the process will includes serving more days on a specific schedule. While the ministry now provides a free meal once every other week, the immediate goal is to double the number of days within the month and implement a consistent rotation schedule.
“A definite location assigned to definite days for specific folks to volunteer,” Holmes added. “ Definite team slots, definite cooking slots and more consistency with sustainable partners providing a sustainable budget.”
As for the professional look, the ministry is currently working toward moving from serving Styrofoam plates out of an ice chest to having food warmers to hold large pans of food. According to Holmes, the wheels are already turning toward such an improvement. “We have a civic group that is considering providing food warmers. If we can make this move, it will be a definite step up,” she said.
Of course, Holmes is grateful for the community support that enabled the ministry to get off the ground.
Super 1 Foods provides a $100 gift card monthly to help purchase food, Century Next Bank donated water, Brookshires funded a Giving Back Grant, and through word of mouth, media exposure and ministry fairs, volunteers have come from every imaginable corner of the parish and walk of life.
“One of our board members was teaching a class at Louisiana Tech this summer and one of her students happened to be the community service coordinator for the Tech Women’s Soccer Team,” Holmes said. “She took the project back and when we served in Grambling, all 30 of the soccer players came and volunteered.”
Those attending Community Connect 2.0 can expect to hear more stories about how 5 Loaves: 2 Fish has been bolstered.
Re gi s trat ion for the event can be found on the website at 5loaves2fishruston. org or by email to julieh@ 5loaves2fish. org.
For Holmes it will be a special opportunity. “We’ve benefitted from tremendous momentum and a lot of energy. We are ready to celebrate and thank you to the community,” she said.
