Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry is an IRS 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to serving the hungry in need throughout Tallapoosa County, Alabama. We were originally founded as a joint project and ministry of the Dadeville Ministerial Association in 2000 and obtained our IRS 501(c)3 status in 2022.
Currently Loaves & Fishes averages distributing 8-11,000 pounds of food each week!
Our packages contain frozen meats, fresh produce, canned vegetables and fruit, dry goods, bread, milk, etc.
Loaves & Fishes has been at the same location since our beginning in a building donated for use by the Calvary Baptist Church – Loaves & Fishes has never been required to pay any rent. Since our beginning, Loaves & Fishes has operated without any paid staff – we are 100% volunteer-staffed.
Loaves & Fishes obtains food primarily from the East Alabama Food Bank in Auburn as well as The Midwest Food Bank / Georgia Division and donations regularly from Renfroe’s Grocery in Dadeville, AL, in addition to local community food drives and campaigns.
Our Prayer Ministry is a vital and major component of our ministry. In addition to providing food, our Prayer Team offers prayer and comfort to recipients each week.
To have faith and be the hands and feet of the Lord, as we feed the hungry, both physically and spiritually.
We are supported by donations from local churches, individuals, businesses, professional and civic organizations.
Retired Non-profit Executive - Harry spent the last 15 years of his career as the Executive Vice President of the Alabama Ear Institute, a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss and their families. He and his wife Beth have been married for 30 years and are the parents of four sons, and live in Hoover, AL, where they are members of The Church of The Highlands. Harry is proud to have been a founding team member of Loaves & Fishes in 2000 and is honored to serve as its board president. He enjoys cooking with his ‘foodie’ friends and fly fishing each year with fraternity brothers from college.
Charissa and her family moved to Dadeville, AL, ten years ago, where she and her family are members of Lake Community Church and are key contributors to the youth program. She is the spouse of Lieutenant Colonel Doug Reynolds (US Army, Retired); during her years as an Army spouse, she joyfully contributed her energy and leadership skills to assist Army families and local charities at each of their postings. Charissa is honored that she can voluntarily contribute her time and management skills as Executive Director for Loaves & Fishes towards accomplishing the mission of helping those with food insecurities throughout Tallapoosa County.
Carol has lived in Dadeville and has operated her accounting practice for 34 years. She has been a member of First Baptist Church of Dadeville since 1998 where she is presently the Chairman of Finance and is also a member of the stewardship committee of the Tallapoosa Baptist Association. She is the proud mother of one son and enjoys spending time with her two granddaughters. Carol was the treasurer of the Lake Martin Dadeville Chamber of Commerce for 15 years and is honored to serve as a member of the Loaves & Fishes Board of Directors as treasurer.
Chad and his wife Kathleen have been married for 32 years and live in Dadeville, Alabama. Chad is the Teaching Pastor of Lake Community Church and an attorney who practices law in Tallapoosa County.
Marsha retired after a distinguished 42-year nursing career and has been an independent fashion stylist for the last ten years. She and her husband, Steve, have been married for 40 years and have lived in the Dadeville, AL, area for the last 38 years. They have four children and are the proud grandparents of 6 grandchildren. Marsha has been an avid supporter of Loaves & Fishes since its beginning and is honored to serve on its board of directors as the Chair of Resource Development.
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dadeville, AL -President Dadeville Ministerial Association – In 2007, Bro. Ben completed his Doctor of Ministry degree with a focus on Leadership and Administration at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Hayes has served in multiple leadership positions in his local associations, two terms on the Alabama Board of Ministerial Education and is currently on the Resolutions Committee for the Alabama Baptist Convention.
