Loaves &Fishes

Published for the Friends and Volunteers of Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry

Ending Hunger in Our Community

Food for Thought

Summer/Fall 2015

New Era in Client Choice

By Jody Bender

aturday, September 12, marked the start of a new era at Loaves &
Fishes Community Pantry. All distribution sessions were converted to
a Client Choice format. The designation of September as National
Hunger Action Month prompted the timing of the switch, according to
Charles McLimans, Executive Director.
The Pantry has wanted to move to the Client Choice model for
some time now. Client Choice requires some significant changes on our
part, regarding distribution of food, but it puts the nutritional needs of our
clients first. Client Choice helps to consider individual dietary preferences
and concerns, said Executive Director Charles McLimans. Client Choice
also treats persons in need of our services with the same dignity and
respect any of us would expect if we found ourselves needing a helping
hand. Client Choice will also help us to achieve efficiencies in food
purchases.
Previously, all clients received two pre-packed bags of food keyed
to family size, four pounds of meat, a loaf of bread, and desserts and
produce as available. Many recipients had requested food substitutions to
accommodate family preferences, cultural, or medical issues. Pre-bagging
did not allow for this flexibility. Consequently, food that clients did not want
or could not use was sometimes found discarded, wasting money and
reducing the amount of usable items available to the household for the
two-week period between food pickups.
In contrast, the Client Choice system allows Pantry patrons to
select foods they enjoy and know how to prepare, drastically reducing
waste. This reduction in waste enables Loaves & Fishes to provide more
food at less cost. Additionally, patrons with health issues will now be able
to choose foods that will help, not hurt their medical conditions.
Clients receive a waiting number at the check-in desk. After their
numbers are called, they may make their selections. This procedure
manages Pantry flow and ensures people get individual help choosing the
appropriate types and amounts of food as indicated on their client card.

All distribution sessions

have been lengthened by an hour
to accommodate the additional
time needed for the food selection
process.

Our Vision
Ending Hunger in Our Community
Our Mission
Loaves & Fishes provides food and
leadership in the community by uniting
and mobilizing resources to empower
people to be self-sufficient.

Loaves & Fishes

556 West Fifth Avenue
Naperville, IL 60563
Phone: 630.555.FOOD
Fax: 630.555.5738
loaves&fishes@emcp.net
www.loaves@emcp.net
As we are a registered 501(c) (3)
charity, all donations are fully tax
deductible.

Client Nutrition and Supply

By Jody Bender

he new Client Choice system not only maximizes our food

supply and allows clients to select their foods. It also aims
to provide nutritional balance to their product mix.

The backbone of the system is a two-tier categorization of items by

food group. Products are separated into protein, soups, grain/starch,
vegetable, and fruit shelves, then further organized according to
individual item type, as in a grocery store.
A client card based upon household size indicates how many items
of each food group a client can take. At the extremes, a household of
1 receives 4 proteins and 2 each of soups, grain/starch, vegetables,
and fruit, while a household larger than 8 family members may have
16 proteins, 6 soups, and 8 each of grain/starch, vegetable, and fruit
items. Families with 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 members receive an
intermediate level of each food category.
Bread, dessert, and produce areas are unaffected by this system.
All clients can still choose at least one of each type of item depending
upon the available supply.

Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry

556 West Fifth Avenue
Naperville, WA 60563

Heather Lierly
800 W University
Orem, UT 84058