Empty Bowls

Saturday September 19th 5pm-9pm

 Partner Highlight -
Healthiest Food Bank

Loaves and Fishes' successful work cannot be done without our radical partners in change- farmers, agencies, and businesses that are working collaboratively with Loaves and Fishes to create a more equitable food system in the Pajaro Valley.

Much of the farm-fresh produce that is distributed in our Pantry bags and used in our healthy lunches is provided by the
Second Harvest Food Bank.


SHFB driver unloads part of a weekly delivery of produce and non-perishable staple foods in front of our 2nd St. location.

Recently, our local Second Harvest Food Bank has been named one of the top three food banks in Feeding America’s nationwide network to distribute the highest percentage of fresh produce. Through their network of 200 local agencies (including Loaves and Fishes!), the SHFB distributed over 8,000,000 pounds of fresh produce to residents all over Santa Cruz County
in the past 12 months.


At the SHFB warehouse, PVLF volunteer Bob Montague loads a cart of "Shop Smart" items destined for distribution in the Loaves and Fishes Pantry.

Loaves and Fishes spent $32,000 this past 12 months
purchasing Shop Smart items from the SHFB.

Loaves and Fishes "shops" for fresh produce and other quality food items twice at week at the SHFB warehouse, located just a few blocks away from our facility in Watsonville. Additionally, Loaves and Fishes receives custom-ordered deliveries of purchased staple goods and quality produce from the Food Bank once a week. All of the produce made available by the SHFB make it possible for Loaves and Fishes to serve farm-to-table inspired meals every day in our Kitchen and Pantry Programs.


PVLF staff Maria and volunteer Rachel chop colorful fresh veggies
provided by the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Find the full article of SHFB's recent recognition here.

Thank you Second Harvest Food Bank, and all of your efforts to nourish change in the Pajaro Valley!

Recipes from the Kitchen

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteers of the Month: The Elders!

Elder Barbosa and Elder Sundrud wash trays after lunchtime.

Here in Watsonville, there are four Mormon missionaries placed: two young women and two young men. As part of their service, they are encouraged to volunteer with local nonprofits, which is how we have met them here at Loaves & Fishes.

The Elders are excellent, consistent volunteers who bring a positive attitude to Loaves & Fishes. Aside from their smiles and jokes, the Elders come with incredibly helpful skills - they all know Spanish or are in the process of learning, so they are able to help a lot to serve our majority Latino client base.

Aside from helping in our Pantry Program once a week, the Elders also come on Thursday afternoons to help unload, sort, and stock our weekly food order from Second Harvest Food Bank, always with a smile and positive attitudes!

Upcoming Events

• 2015 Empty Bowls – Saturday September 19^th  5pm to 9pm at Pajaro Dunes Lagoon House
  • Click Here for Information about Tickets and Sponsorships Opportunities.
• Burritto Bash - Saturday October 3rd 10am-5pm at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
• “Love Mondays” at Discretion Brewery – October 12^th - 20% of beer sales all day will benefit Loaves and Fishes!
• Project Homeless Connect Watsonville - Friday, November 6th 11am-5pm at the Veteran's Hall in Watsonville
• "Food Insecurity in the Pajaro Valley" - Monday, November 9th 6:30-7:30pm at Watsonville public Library.
• Thanksgiving Lunch - Thursday November 26th 12pm-2pm at PVLF - email volunteer@pvloavesandfishes.org to volunteer