Since 1988, House of Hope members have gathered for the Loaves & Fishes Project, offering warm meals and a welcoming table to our neighbors in need. Today, 15–20 volunteers cook, serve, and package food at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church on Saint Paul’s west side, preparing 300–400 meals, six nights a year.
Volunteers often speak of the friendships formed in the kitchen, admiring one another’s steady hard work and faithfulness to the project, year after year. Others have come to know the program’s regular guests over nearly four decades, watching families grow and change across generations.
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But the program has never really been just about the food. One House of Hoper remembers a woman who came through the line and suddenly grew quiet. She began to share the story of her mother’s illness: how her mother had tried to get herself to the hospital alone, became confused along the way, and was killed in an accident. She had been carrying that grief alone and, in that moment, chose to share it with a volunteer, a near-stranger, while simply asking for a meal. She was overwhelmed by loneliness, guilt, and the need to be heard.
It’s a reminder of what Loaves & Fishes has always been at its heart: a place where everyone is welcome, and where, alongside a warm meal, people find a little more room to be human.
Volunteer with Loaves & Fishes
New volunteers are always welcome! The crew serves on the third Monday of even months; please contact Norma Herther at normaherther@msn.com for more information.
Email NormaWhere we serve
St. Matthew’s Catholic Church510 Hall Avenue, Saint Paul
Get directions to St. Matthew’s
St. Matthew’s meal siteVolunteer information
Before attending, confirm the next House of Hope service date, preparation and serving shifts, arrival instructions, and any clothing or food-safety requirements. Ask the coordinator about opportunities and supervision requirements for children and youth.