Black History and the Fight to End Hunger

“We moved here to pastor a church,” said Denise Swanner, co-founder of Loaves and Fishes.  

She and her family moved to the area in March of 2000, around the same time that the county’s Unmet Needs Committee was working to raise money to start a food pantry. Something Swanner said was much needed.  

“There’s no Walmart here. There’s no hospital here. So, it just makes it difficult."

Once county leaders learned that she and her husband, Marc, had experience running a pantry, they reached out to the family, providing a building and $1,500 to get things started.  

Today the community is still in need. 1 in 6 people in Warren County are food insecure. 

Swanner says Loaves and Fishes sees nearly 1,200 families a month, a number that she says is increasing.  

Over the last 6 to 8 months, with fuel prices and with prices of food, we’ve seen a lot of people, a lot of extra people, a lot of new faces that we haven’t seen before.

– Denise Swanner Co-founder of Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry

The pantry brings in neighbors from all over Warren County. Some often bring coolers and bags to keep food cool while they run errands in town because many can’t afford to take the trip to town more than once.  

“They’ll put whatever cooler stuff they have in the vehicle. They’ll run their errands, and then you’ll see them over at the fire department at 11:00… they’ll be getting their hot meal for the week." 

Because of their partnership with the Food Bank, Swanner said they can provide for these families.  

This food truck means the world to this county. We’ve got a lot of families at below poverty level, and so they depend on this food. 

– Denise Swanner Co-founder of Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry

Shortly after starting the pantry, the Swanner family moved to Greenville, over 4 hours away. Yet, each month the family makes the journey back to Warrenton to continue giving to the community.  

“Our hearts are here for the people,” Swanner said. “We lived in the community. We know what they’re going through, so our hearts are still here trying to help them. We just can’t let it go because it’s so needed.” 

But for her, the work is much deeper than just providing food; it's ministry.  

“When you are the extended hands and feet of Jesus, it makes a difference in your life," she shared.

Loaves and Fishes drive-thru food distribution takes place every Tuesday except the second Tuesday of the month. Families can also stop by the Warrenton Fire Department to receive a warm meal on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.