Loaves & Fishes is a charity in Sacramento dedicated to feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless. It is a fully private charity that does not solicit or accept government money. Every day they provide a noon meal to 600-1000 homeless people. Their philosophy of statement states that they serve "in a spirit of love, hospitality, and generosity to all those who come for assistance."

They have an impressive list of programs to help meet the specific needs of the homeless such as:

• Advocacy for the homeless: Sacramento Loaves and Fishes provides a voice for homeless men, women and children with an emphasis on the need for dignified and compassionate survival services and decent affordable housing.
• Other programs: Maryhouse, Library, Mustard Seed School, Friendship Park, Genesis, Guest Health Outreach, Jail Visitation, Animal Emergency Services, Daily Bread Day Labor, Sister Nora's Place, Warehouse/Procurement, and a Wash House.

Loaves & Fishes provides a location for the Mercer Veterinary Clinic for the Homeless one Saturday per month.

A link to their newsletter, released every month: http://www.sacloaves.org/newsletter

Those interested in volunteering can attend a weekly tour and volunteer orientation on Thursdays at 10:00AM. For more information, visit their volunteering page or shoot them an e-mail: volunteer@SacLoaves.org.

They accept donations of various toiletries and some clothing.

Their holiday needs list:

General Needs Toilet Paper Sleeping Bags & Blankets (new and gently used) Back Packs/Day Packs Regional Transit Passes Band Aids, Combs and Brushes Fast Food Restaurant Coupons Small Toiletries: Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion, Vaseline, Chapstick, Cough Drops ToothPaste & Toothbrushes Deodorant Gift Certificates - Target/Walmart/Safeway/Raleys Bicycle Tire Repair/Patch Kits Tarps Adults Gloves Sweatshirts (Large - X-Large) Tube Socks Reading Glasses (No RX) New Underwear (All Sizes) Sweat Suits (Large - 3X-Large) Children Knit Hats & Gloves Baby Bottles Diapers (All sizes) Non Soy Baby Formula w/iron Jars of Baby Food Sweat Suits (All Sizes)

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