Loaves & Fishes exists as a mission of love and faith to serve people of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley by providing:

food • emergency shelter • resource referral • other temporary services • and by advocating for changes by its clients that will promote independence and self reliance.

In 1983, knowing there were people in their neighborhoods who were making the choice between buying food and paying rent, three friends decided to do something about it. The Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry was soon born. The response from the neighboring towns was astounding.

What started as a simple act by three women has grown into a tremendous effort by the entire community. In the early days of Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, the clients applied for help at the Federated Church in Ayer, and were issued vouchers based on need. The food was housed in the basement of St. Andrew’s Church where volunteers packed up bags and delivered them to clients at the Federated Church.

Although far from ideal, the pantry was able to operate this way for several years, serving many local families through the tireless effort of community volunteers.