As we approach the close of 2023, I have immense gratitude for each member of our remarkable community. Your unwavering support and commitment have been a beacon of hope, inspiring us to face challenges head-on and work together toward a more food-secure future.

We faced unprecedented challenges this year. The flood in Pajaro, a profound food supply crisis, and the relentless rise in living costs have presented us with obstacles that test our collective resilience.

The impact of the Pajaro flood has been deeply felt, and our community has responded with remarkable strength, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, hope can be found in the unity of our neighbors. Simultaneously, our pantry and lunch programs, experiencing demands reminiscent of the pandemic's peak, are navigating through the complexities of a diminished food supply due to shortages at the food bank and reduced government aid. Plainly put, there is a higher need and less available food to go around, forcing Loaves and Fishes to purchase more food at inflated retail costs.

In the face of these challenges, your support becomes even more crucial. Together, we can adapt, innovate, and continue to assist those in our community experiencing food insecurity. As we enter the new year, let us carry forward the resilience we have shown, confident that our shared efforts will lead to positive change.

I appreciate your support and standing with us as we navigate these challenges to ensure our neighbors access healthy, nourishing meals.

Sincerely,

Ashley Bridges

Executive Director



Liz Phair

Liz has been a committed, generous supporter of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes for almost two decades. She began volunteering at Loaves and Fishes in 2005, quickly becoming involved as a weekly kitchen volunteer and joining the board. Liz served several years as a board member and officer, helping to establish Empty Bowls as our annual signature event and serving as Co-chair for many years. She also involved her friends and neighbors from the La Selva Beach Community Church in our work, expanding our community of supporters.

"I am in awe of Liz' brave spirit

and willingness to help in all areas

of Loaves and Fishes." - Lin Colavin

Liz speaks with gratitude about the warm and inclusive atmosphere at Loaves and Fishes. Liz holds a deep appreciation for former staff member Maria Gonzalez’s work in the kitchen. She also remembers Bob Montague, whose legacy of commitment to service and tireless dedication served as a guiding light, inspiring her to make a meaningful impact of her own. Brooke Sampson, former PVLF Director, says, “Liz has always served with great kindness and an open heart.”

“We had so much fun on the board together. Liz has always been very hard working and giving of her time & energy.” – Corrine Flanagan

Beyond her involvement with PVLF, Liz began tutoring children from migrant farm worker families in 1989 and providing cooking lessons and meals for at-risk youth with Above the Line. Liz’s remarkable journey in volunteerism is further enriched by the active support of her husband, Tom. They are equally committed to service as they contribute their time and efforts to various philanthropic endeavors. Through her words and actions, Liz exemplifies the spirit of giving back and the profound joy that comes from being a part of a community united in the service of others.

• We express our sincere gratitude to Maria Gonzalez for her 20 years of dedicated work with Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes. The commitment of our remarkable volunteers has allowed us to persist in our mission during this transition. We would like to introduce Edith Mandujano, who has stepped into the role of Kitchen Coordinator/Cook, and Adriana Venegas as the Pantry Coordinator.

• In-person lunch service has resumed, fostering a stronger sense of community among lunch guests, staff, and volunteers. This provides a safe space for guests to enjoy meals and hydrate. In total, we served 38,167 lunches this year.

• Pantry visits were at an all-time high this year, with 16,898 visits serving 10,681 individuals.

• With a significant decrease in employment opportunities for agriculture workers and the pressures of the holidays, winter is always our busiest time of the year. To help alleviate food insecurity, we offer two special distributions in November and December to provide frozen chicken, turkey, and extra food for the holidays. After seeing how many families were in need of the Thanksgiving distribution, we increased the number of spots for Christmas to a total of 1,340 combined sign-ups.