Center for Ministry Formation

Loaves and Fishes

Editor’s preface: Matthew 14:13-21 relays the story of Jesus feeding a crowd with what seemed like such a meager offering: five loaves and two fish. Yet rather than despair at the apparent lack of resources for such immense need, Jesus saw that meager meal as a reason to give thanks and he stewarded the gift for the good of those who were vulnerable. The following story from our Greenville market highlights a concrete way our clinicians and associates embody this same value of stewardship, cultivating connections and sharing available resources to meet others’ needs.

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is now a food donor for Loaves & Fishes. The food donation program began in mid-June, and by mid-September, donations amounted to 120 trays of food diverted from becoming waste and instead being redistributed by Loaves & Fishes.

For more than 30 years, Loaves & Fishes has served Greenville County by rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to the organization’s more than 100 partner agencies for redistribution to those experiencing food insecurity. Matt Timmons, clinical pharmacist, fostered the relationship with Loaves & Fishes. Matt approached Community Health about the possibility of donating Bon Secours St. Francis’ surplus food. Rebecca McKinney, manager of Community Health, put Matt in contact with Loaves & Fishes. 

Matt arranged a meeting that included Loaves & Fishes and Chef Chris Randolph from HHS (our partner that operates the Greenville Market’s food services) and an idea quickly became a Mission-driven success story. Thank you to Matt, our Green Team, Chef Chris, HHS, and all those who’ve helped bring to life this relationship that is benefiting our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.