Photo essay of Loaves and Fishes appearing in the December 25, 2011 issue of The Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DN&Dato=20111225&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=112250801&Ref=PH

Of Davidson County's more than 620,000 residents in 2010, 20.2 percent were living below the poverty rate.

"Twenty percent is the worst it's ever been,"said Dinah Gregory, director of planning and coordination for Metro Nashville Social Services.
Tennessee's poverty rate usually is higher than Davidson County's, Gregory said, but in 2010 the percentage of poor people in Davidson County was higher. "That was shocking to me."

  Two Catholic Charities of Tennessee programs were among area agencies benefiting from a November 27, 2011 winter coat collection sponsored by the Tennessee Titans Foundation at LP Field prior to the Titans game that day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  A total of 101 coats were received for the clients of North Nashville Outreach and Loaves and Fishes Community Meals for the Hungry.  Thanks to the Tennessee Titans and their great fans!

  Second Harvest recently added the Davidson County Perishable Route to ensure the Food Bank is equitably distributing perishable products to all counties in our service area. The Food Bank currently runs multiple perishable routes four days a week to our outlying counties for the agencies in those areas to come and select food to take back and distribute in their communities.

  Saint Thomas Health and Catholic Charities of Tennessee, through its Loaves and Fishes Community Meals for the Hungry program, teamed up for a Medical Mission at Home at Holy Name Catholic Church on November 19, 2011.  More than 400 patient encoutners took place through more than 80 health care professionals and Catholic Charities staffers who volunteered their time in serving the poor and vulnerable.  Services offered include

This year, the Angel Tree at Catholic Charities displays more than 1,000 Christmas wishes – and basic need requests – of children, families and the elderly in Middle Tennessee. All the wishes are placed on the Angel Tree upon referral from Catholic Charities staff members and various public agencies. Families in severe need also receive food baskets and household and personal care staples.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111031/NEWS01/310310037/Food-stamp-test-affirms-pangs-poverty?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

For Fran Rajotte, taking the $31.50-a-week Food Stamp Challenge was like being on a diet.

She planned out all her meals for the week before she got to the store, paid careful attention to fruits and veggies and found no room for desserts or snacks.

She admits she was often hungry and gave in to temptations in weaker moments.

When Sister Sally Lessnau, D.C., joined the Daughters of Charity 50 years ago, she wanted to work with the poor, not be a teacher. “What happened?

Thirty years after founding the North Nashville Outreach program of Catholic Charities, Sister Naomi Libiak, DC, is retiring.