Fish and Loaves Food Pantry serves Bellevue community

BELLEVUE — Volunteers at Fish and Loaves Food Pantry believe they're making a difference. They enjoy working together to feed the community. "We do everything we can to keep people fed," volunteer Tom Kutz said. Fish and Loaves is a faith-based food pantry that serves residents living within the Bellevue Schools district. The nonprofit is run by the Bellevue Ministerial Association with help from more than a dozen churches. The pantry was established in 1983, and it has moved to different locations over the years. It is currently at 203 Maple St. in Bellevue, where it's equipped with a walk-in cooler and freezer for perishable foods. Fish and Loaves is open every Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. Fish and Loaves is committed to serving those in need. The pantry typically requires residents to be income eligible, however, the pantry is currently willing to help anyone living in the Bellevue School District because of the COVID-19 pandemic. "It was God's will to have us do this," Kutz said. Kutz, who has volunteered at the pantry for 14 years, said the pantry is a nice place to work. He's also a board member and trustee for the pantry. No one gets paid, but the volunteers do the work out of the kindness of their hearts. Each year, Fish and Loaves puts together Thanksgiving boxes. More than 200 families signed up for the boxes this year. The boxes include a full Thanksgiving dinner. "Any holiday you get together should be joyful and we try to make it joyful for them," Kutz said. Clients are served once a month at Fish and Loaves when school is in session. When school is not in session, families with children can visit the pantry twice a month. The pantry helps about 50 to 55 families a week each month. Fish and Loaves tries to stock hygiene products for clients, which aren't covered by SNAP benefits through Ohio's Food Assistance Program, more commonly referred to as food stamps. The pantry accepts food and monetary donations. While Second Harvest contributes to Fish and Loaves, the volunteers also search for the best deals at local stores to restock items they need. Volunteers are also needed to help serve at the pantry. How to help Fish and Loaves Food Pantry can be reached by: Calling: 419-484-2814 (Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)Visiting: bellevuefishandloaves.orgEmailing: bellevuefishandloaves@gmail.comMailing: Bellevue Fish and Loaves, P.O. Box 121, Bellevue, OH 44811