Building Community Through Service

For more than 20 years, Bob and the dedicated volunteers from St. Clement’s Episcopal Church have been serving meals with Loaves & Fishes. Their steady presence has made a lasting impact on thousands of people within our community.

Bob and his group have leaned in, volunteering at various Community Meal Locations across Minnesota through the years.

For them, volunteering has always been about more than preparing and serving meals.

What began as a way to gather outside the walls of their church quickly became a cornerstone of connection and purpose. Their approach is simple: if it’s not meaningful and enjoyable, it’s hard to sustain. That spirit of joy and fellowship continues to shape their experience every time they show up.

One of the most meaningful parts of their time with Loaves & Fishes has been sitting down to share a meal with guests. These conversations are simple human moments that leave a lasting impression not only on our guests but on the volunteers themselves. Bob has especially seen the impact on the youth in his group, who gain confidence, perspective, and a deeper understanding of their community through hands-on service.

For many of our guests, Loaves & Fishes isn’t just about the meal. 29% of our Community Meal guests self-report they are experiencing isolation, while 18% report experiencing loneliness.

A meal is a connection point to others. Over time, Bob and the St. Clement’s Episcopal Church team’s involvement with Loaves & Fishes has sparked even broader outreach.

Through it all, one message guides Bob and his team:

“Do something.”

In moments of uncertainty or challenge, focus on making small, meaningful contributions. That shared mindset has strengthened their community and the lives of the guests we serve.

We couldn’t do our work without volunteers like you. Thank you for being a part of our work to reduce barriers to food access across Minnesota. Together, we can create a world where no one has to question where their next meal will come from.