PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Loaves and Fishes Provides Vital Food For Rural Families

Our hearts are here for the people. We lived in the community. We know what they’re going through, so our hearts are still here trying to help them.

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

“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. 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.  

After hopping in line, she then gets out to help make sure cars are lined up properly so things can flow smoothly as families are being served. 

“The first row is the most important row ... If I can get that first row lined up straight, then everything else will kind of fall in place.” 

She then goes to each car, greeting them with a smile while placing a numbered card in their windshield, letting other volunteers know how many families are being served in each car.  

“Sometimes they can pick up [food for] up to three families."

Silver first started coming to the pantry for her father, who was receiving senior boxes. She was thoroughly surprised and impressed by the quality of the food he was receiving.  

“It’s the things that he really needs, not just what he wants."

Due to her father’s health conditions, he wasn’t always able to go out and grab the things he needed. So, she often found herself grabbing many of his everyday essentials.  

After he passed, Silver still wanted to be involved with the work they do at Loaves and Fishes.  

“I asked the question, ‘How do you go about volunteering?’ and I found out that day all I had to do was come and show up and help."

And she’s continued to show up for the last five years.  

That’s my life ... It is a joy, and there’s nothing in the world more joyful than volunteering and helping other people.

– Lori Silver Loaves and Fishes Volunteer

In the five years she’s been with Loaves and Fishes, Silver has seen many families come through.  

“The need is out there."

According to Feeding America, more than 3,000 people in Warren County are living with food insecurity.  

Yet despite these numbers, Silver said she finds joy spending time with local families. 

When I’m out there serving Warren County, I’m out here to help the client ... I try to have a smile on my face and treat you with kindness.

– Lori Silver Loaves and Fishes Volunteer

Each week, Silver and the other volunteers serve hundreds of families living with food insecurity. But Silver says so many more could really use the help.  

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Silver said. “But come and get it. You’re entitled to it.”