Sacramento Loaves & Fishes

Sacramento Loaves & Fishes, in its 41st year, is a 501(c)(3), charitable, non-profit organization, committed to providing homeless services since 1983. Founded on the philosophy of the Catholic Worker Movement and inspired by the works of mercy as set forth in Matthew 25:34-40, Loaves & Fishes is a place of respite for people and families experiencing homelessness. Our community remains dedicated to not only providing warm meals, essential survival supplies, and services for nearly 1,000 adults and children daily, but doing so in an environment that recognizes the dignity and spiritual destiny of each person. 

In our 41 years of service, we have greatly expanded from a simple dining room to 16 programs and services across a 4.5-acre campus. The need for our services continues to be profound and we take great care in honoring “As often as you did it for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40

We do not solicit or accept government funds to keep our services judgment and barrier-free. We are completely supported by the contributions of individuals and private donations from the greater Sacramento community. 

The Work of Chris and Dan Delany

Loaves & Fishes is a place of radical love founded by Chris and Dan Delany. The Delany’s had a passion in their hearts to provide service to people living in poverty. Deeply inspired by the work of Dorothy Day, Chris as a former nun and Dan as a former priest, brought the Catholic Worker Movement to Sacramento in the 1970’s. They began by opening their home first to people suffering with AIDS and then to the families visiting their loved ones in Folsom Prison. The Delany’s never wavered in their commitment to hospitality and welcoming the stranger. 

Their house of hospitality evolved into an opportunity to feed people struggling with hunger on the streets of Sacramento and continued to grow as folks came to serve alongside the Delany’s. Our services now include a school for homeless children, women’s services, survival supplies, showers, laundry, mental health counseling, legal advice, medical services, a kennel for pets, and many other services provided by partnerships in our community. We are governed by a board of directors selected from Loaves & Fishes and community members who have demonstrated compassion towards the needs of those who are homeless and living in poverty. 

Community Support

As Big Day of Giving is upon us again, Sacramento Loaves & Fishes celebrates 41 years of radical work because of the generosity of our community.  Our theme this year is, "Walk alongside and listen"; a reflection that comes from our campus manifesto, “The 36 Things”, created to help guide the way to serving our guests. Upon request from our first Executive Director, LeRoy Chatfield, Rev. David Moss wrote these statements as his parting gift to the organization. 

The reason we chose this theme is because we find that oftentimes one of the most important things we can offer our guests is our presence, our understanding and compassion, patience and a listening ear.  It is through this simple act that internal shifting begins to take place.  It is through these moments of simplicity that we offer friendship and community, not always tangible, yet distinctly felt and much needed human connection for those who have been ostracized and isolated due to homelessness.  By walking along side and listening, we learn about our guests and their hardships, their fears, and their hopes.  

We recognize that our guests endure unimaginable challenges each night as they arrive each morning for breakfast. As they step onto our campus, they are seen and heard for the fully alive and worthy human beings that they are. Recognizing these miracles has also allowed us to acknowledge the miracle that is our community of supporters without whom our radical hospitality would not be possible.