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Dear Friends and Supporters,
2025 has been a challenging year, reminding us how essential food safety net services are in our community. Many days were marked by long lines down the street as families visited the pantry for the first time. Through it all, staff and volunteers worked hard during the busiest moments by stepping in whenever help was needed.
Thanks to donors and volunteer support, our programs continue to be a source of nourishment and welcome for everyone who walks through our doors. Even during the surges of increased need around SNAP benefit delays, we never had to compromise quality or consistency, a testament to this community’s generosity. Over the course of the year, we served thousands of meals and distributed tens of thousands of grocery bags to neighbors facing food insecurity across the Pajaro Valley.
For the holidays, we host special distributions in November and December to provide families with groceries to make a special meal for their loved ones. This year, we signed up 100 more families than in past years, and a total of 1,550 families received packages. These distributions offer more than food. They promote stability, dignity, and reassurance during a time that can be especially difficult for many.
Your generosity carried us through one of the most demanding years we have ever experienced. Thank you for believing in this work and for standing with us as we continue to love people and feed them.
Sincerely,
Ashley Bridges
Executive Director
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We are excited to welcome two new cooks to our lunch program. They have helped us maintain consistent coverage and smooth service. Say hello to Art and Miguel (pictured to the left!)
In-person sit-down lunch service is just one of the reasons Loaves and Fishes is unique; another is its continued operation during the holidays. Giving folks a place to sit in peace or chat with friends fosters a strong sense of community among lunch guests, staff, and volunteers; providing a safe space for guests to enjoy meals and hydrate. In total, Loaves and Fishes served 29,658 meals this year.
Winter is always our busiest time of year. To help alleviate food insecurity, we offer two special distributions in November and December, providing frozen chicken and turkey and extra food for the holidays. After hitting our max number of sign-ups in less than two weeks, we extended the list to include 100 more families than anticipated.
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Our Grocery Rescue program continues to make a meaningful difference for both our community and environment. Over the past 12 months, we rescued and repurposed 100,200 pounds of fresh produce, pantry items, and prepared foods that would otherwise have gone to the landfill. By keeping good food in use, we reduce unnecessary waste and support a healthier environment. Most importantly, grocery rescue puts nutritious food on local tables.
Thanks to local partners, including Staff of Life, Food Maxx, and Live Earth Farm, the grocery rescue allows us to offer fresh eggs, milk, yogurt, and bread. Receiving these staples opens up room in families’ food budgets and helps provide a more complete and nourishing selection of food.
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We are looking for help. Grocery rescue pick-ups can be planned around your schedule. We have opportunities Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Weekly, monthly, or on occasion, your time and support keep this program strong and sustainable.
Email us at: outreach@pvlf.org
Or Call us at: 831-722-4144
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| Bob Montague Volunteer Award | | |
In memory of Bob Montague, we honor a volunteer whose service reflects the spirit of Loaves and Fishes. This year, we are proud to recognize Matt Taylor.
Many know him as “Purple Matt” because he wears purple every single day. Matt began volunteering through the Community Life Program, first working alongside a support person. Over time, he grew in confidence, skill, and independence. Today, he volunteers entirely on his own and has become an essential part of our team.
For the past seven years, Matt has shown up three days a week with a smile and a willingness to jump into any task. He is one of those behind-the-scenes volunteers who helps to keep everything moving. Matt helps with grocery and dump runs, stocks shelves, bags groceries, and works closely with Cecilia on the dish line. You will also find him wiping tables, sweeping the lunch area, mopping up spills, and stepping in wherever help is needed.
“Matt is a hard worker. I appreciate his positive attitude and sense of humor.”
– Cecilia Cervantes, Operations Coordinator
| At Loaves and Fishes, we strive to create a place where everyone feels valued and respected. Matt’s steady commitment, cheerful disposition, and dependability embody that spirit. Just as purple has become his signature color, his readiness to help has become his signature contribution. | | |
On behalf of the Loaves and Fishes Board of Directors, we offer our sincere gratitude to all our sponsors, donors, artists, and volunteers for making this year’s Empty Bowls a fun and successful event. Together, we raised $150,000 to support the year-round operations of our food pantry and lunch programs.
Fund-a-Need Recap and Update: In August, PV Cold Storage, the facility across the street from Loaves and Fishes, where we’ve stored food for over two decades, free of charge, notified us that it was closing at the end of the year. For more than 20 years, this incredible gift has enabled us to buy in bulk and accept large donations, stretching every dollar.
With the loss of this storage space, we faced an urgent challenge. Securing alternative frozen storage required high upfront costs and ongoing monthly fees that were not built into our budget. Without a solution, we risked losing access to large food donations and our ability to purchase food in bulk.
We are especially happy to share exciting news! A supporter who attended Empty Bowls connected us with AmeriCold in Watsonville. AmeriCold has generously offered to store up to 10 pallets as a donation for the first year. This allows us to allocate funds to food purchases.
Great things happen when a community comes together!
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SAVE THE DATE
Empty Bowls Event
Saturday, September 19, 2026, Pajaro Dunes Lagoon House
Tickets will go on sale 7/17/2026
| | | | | Give the gift that makes a tremendous social impact! Print out a custom gift certificate from the PVLF website when you make a donation in honor of someone special.
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We envision a Pajaro Valley community in which all people have access to healthy food and other basic necessities of life. We are committed to working collaboratively to develop a healthier, more food-secure community through direct service and advocacy. Each day, we manifest the values of service, compassion, and justice in our work.
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