Leota Canady
Doug Winter, a professional photographer, comes to Loaves & Fishes once a month to take beautiful portraits of our guests. When he has time, he likes to interview the subjects of his photographs to capture the story behind their eyes. His artwork and journalism will begin appearing on our blog once a week. Doug operates his…
Read MoreTrains Planes and Automobiles, But Really Mostly Just Trains
MaryKate is participating with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) as an Outreach Assistant for Mustard Seed. JVC is the largest lay Catholic full-time volunteer program in the world. They aim to aspire the creation of a more just and hopeful world. Therefore, this service program “engages passionate young people in vital service with poor…
Read MoreHappy World Teacher's Day!
Happy World Teacher’s Day! To celebrate, North C Street Stories is going to feature Mustard Seed School for the month of October. We will be gaining insight from our wonderful teachers, students, and families. And to begin, here is a short history of Mustard Seed: Established in 1989 to help meet the needs of homeless…
Read MoreFriendship Park's Peace Day Celebration
The only true guardian of peace lies within: a sense of concern and responsibility for your own future and an altruistic concern for the well-being of others. Dalai Lama World Peace Day-September 21, 2017. I am at Loaves & Fishes to photograph the dedication of Friendship Park’s new Peace Pole. Peace Poles are recognized throughout…
Read MoreThe Kindness Cantina
The Kindness Cantina In the emergency room of Dignity Health’s Methodist Hospital, in South Sacramento, ordinary snacks serve a noble cause. Caz Sliwa, a registered nurse, operates Kindness Cantina, which provides hospital staff with soda, coffee, chips and the opportunity to give back to their homeless neighbors for just a dollar. He has volunteered at Loaves…
Read MoreThe Friendship Park Kiosk as experienced by a former newspaper editor
Randy Rodda who volunteers in the Friendship Park kiosk and the dining room shares what it is like to work in Friendship Park, where many who are experiencing homelessness find comfort, community and a safe place to rest their eyes. Loaves & Fishes staffers and volunteers put on their game face — humility, empathy and…
Read More"I simply like being in the park"
Say “Hello” to Shon! When Shon first came to Loaves & Fishes, he was simply looking to get a TB test. Instead, he left with a TB test, two sleeping bags, and a newfound community. Shon’s first experience with Loaves & Fishes caused him to feel safe, secure, and loved by the staff, the volunteers,…
Read More731 K Street
Our volunteer photographer, Gale Filter, reflects on the history of homelessness along K St. The door above has memories for me. I see it nearly every week on my early morning K Street walks. From 1999 to 2007 it was the door I entered to start my work day at the California District Attorneys Association…
Read MoreSowing Seeds
Joquel Hunt is a writer, mother and author of this blog post. She trusts Mustard Seed to take good care of her son and daughter while she runs errands, tries to secure housing and carves out some time for herself to cope with the stress of the family’s life. I am sure you have heard…
Read MoreThe struggle to find a public bathroom
Each day, guests at Loaves & Fishes must walk miles to access public restroom — and sometimes are forced to surrender to nature’s call outdoors. This daily struggle for the homeless is dehumanizing, and also a public health issue, with tuberculosis, meningitis and diarrheal diseases running rampant. In 2011, a United Nations expert on safe…
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