Our History & Mission
The Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen was established in 1989 by the late Frances Koler to ensure that anyone facing hardship in Sweetwater County had a warm place to turn and a nutritious meal waiting for them. Having lived through the Great Depression, Frances understood the reality of hunger firsthand, which fueled her lifelong dedication to helping others. When she first set out to open the kitchen in the basement of Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, she was asked where the food, funding, and volunteers would come from. She confidently answered, "It will come"—and for decades, our community has stepped up to keep that promise alive.
Today, we proudly carry her compassionate legacy forward by providing home-cooked meals entirely free of charge to anyone in need. Everyone, regardless of background or beliefs, operates the kitchen and helps prepare weekly meals for those in our community. We maintain Frances's strict policy to never turn anyone away hungry, relying entirely on the continuous generosity of local residents, businesses, and area churches to keep our kitchen running and our emergency food pantry stocked. If you would like to support the cause, keep this vital community resource thriving, or find out how you can volunteer your time, please stop by and talk to us in person or fill out our contact form.