Written By: Nick M. Edited By Bianca I
Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a widely known non-profit organization that caters to help the homeless community in the Austin area. The main three sections where they reach the homeless community are the Truck Ministry, Community First! Village, and Community Works. Here’s an overview of each of them and how you can volunteer with Mobile Loaves & Fishes!
How It Started
The non-profit organization Mobile Loaves & Fishes first began in 1988. Five members of the Saint John Neumann Catholic Church started catering to the Austin homeless community by handing out food to them from their cars. Then, a former homeless man joined their group and acted as a guide to the streets. Their initial goal was to deliver 75 sack lunches a day to the homeless men and women on the streets. They accomplished that goal and were eventually able to purchase a 1997 Ford F-250 pick-up truck with a catering bed.
Truck Ministry
Their mission is to “provide food and clothing, cultivate community and promote dignity to our homeless brothers and sisters in need.” One of the ways they have accomplished this is by their truck ministry. The truck ministry allows volunteers to provide food, clothing, hygiene products, and other life-sustaining items 365 days a year to the homeless community. Over the years, there have been over 22,000 volunteers giving out 5.5 million meals.
Community First! Village
According to Mobile Loaves & Fishes, the “Community First! Village is a 51-acre master-planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.” This contains two phases. Phase 1 contains 27 acres and will be able to house 200 homeless individuals in need. Some of the things included in phase 1 are RV homes, capitol city metro bus stop, a community market, and an organic farm. Phase 2 contains additional 21 acres which will provide a total of more than 500 homes in the whole project. Some of the things included in phase 2 are outdoor kitchens, 200 micro-homes, and a community works entrepreneur hub.
Community Works
The community works program helps individuals who have experienced homelessness find new skills and purposes in life to eventually earn an income. This will take place within the Community First! Village. The Community Market is the place where products and goods made by the individuals will be displayed. Some of the other areas include Genesis Gardens, Goodness Press, Car Care, Culinary, and Art House.
How Can I Help?
Mobile Loaves & Fishes runs from volunteers. It’s from the help of the individuals in Austin that has made Mobile Loaves & Fishes all it has become today. You can volunteer with the Truck Ministry and Community First! Village today! This organization has proven that volunteering can make a world of a difference and we encourage all of Austin to take part in that. We have to work together to combat homelessness. Check out their website to see how you can get involved!