WELL, NOW TO OUR COVERAGE OF 70 YEARS OF SERVICE AND FOR THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF KCRA 3, WE’VE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SACRAMENTO LOAVES AND FISHES HAS BEEN HELPING THE HOMELESS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANGELA HASSELL TELLS US MORE ABOUT ALL OF THEIR SERVICES, PLUS SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS. IN HER OWN WORDS. WE STARTED OUT AS A DINING ROOM SERVING A HOT MEAL EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER. AND FROM THERE, WE’VE KIND OF SPUN OUT AND DEVELOPED 16 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS SURVIVAL NEEDS FOR PEOPLE ON THE SO ANYTHING FROM SHOWERS TO BREAKFAST. SURVIVAL GEAR. WE HAVE A KENNEL WHERE PEOPLE CAN BOARD THEIR DOGS DURING THE DAY WHILE THEY’RE USING SERVICES. WE HAVE OUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC HERE ON SITE. WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT HELPS WITH LEGAL AID, AND WE HAVE A SCHOOL FOR THE KIDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME MAINTAINING ATTENDANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS AROUND THE FOLKS THAT WE SERVE, AND THAT PEOPLE ASSUME THAT EVERYBODY IS ON DRUGS OR THAT EVERYBODY HAS A MENTAL ILLNESS, OR THAT EVERYBODY IT’S THEIR FAULT THAT THEY’RE HOMELESS. AND I THINK THE BIGGER PICTURE TO THAT IS TO MY BIGGER PICTURE ANSWER TO THAT IS THAT THERE WE DO NOT HAVE SYSTEMS IN PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY THAT ALLOW PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK TO MAKE A MISTAKE, TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE AN INJURY, AND THEN THEY MISS OUT ON WORK, THEY LOSE THEIR HOME, THEY LOSE THEIR JOB, THEY END UP ON THE STREETS. YOU KNOW, THEY EVENTUALLY END UP NEEDING PLACES LIKE LOAVES AND FISHES JUST TO SURVIVE, SHE SAID THEIR MAIN GOAL IS TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE, AND THAT’S WHY THERE’S A VERY LOW BARRIER TO GET HELP THERE. SHE SAID WHEN PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR

Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento has been helping the homeless community for over 40 years, offering essential services and addressing survival needs. Executive Director Angela Hassell explained the organization’s evolution and the range of programs it provides. “We started out as a dining room serving a hot meal every day of the week to people who are experiencing food insecurity and hunger, and from there we’ve developed 16 programs that address survival needs for people on the streets,” Hassell said. “So anything from showers, breakfast, survival gear, we have a kennel where people can put their dogs during the day while they’re using services.”Hassell said they also have their own mental health clinic on site, a program that helps with legal aid and school for children who have a hard time maintaining attendance in public school. Hassell also addressed misconceptions about the homeless population, including that many of the people served there are addicted to drugs or have a mental illness. “I think the bigger picture to that is we do not have systems in place in our society that allow people who are living paycheck to paycheck to make a mistake, to have an accident, to have an injury,” Hassell said. “They miss out on work, they lose their home, they lose their job, they end up on the streets, they eventually end up needing places like Loaves and Fishes just to survive.” Hassell said their primary goal is to make people feel safe, which is why the organization has a very low barrier to access its services. She explained that when people come for meals, they are typically only asked for their name and do not need to provide any additional information.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento has been helping the homeless community for over 40 years, offering essential services and addressing survival needs.

Executive Director Angela Hassell explained the organization’s evolution and the range of programs it provides.

“We started out as a dining room serving a hot meal every day of the week to people who are experiencing food insecurity and hunger, and from there we’ve developed 16 programs that address survival needs for people on the streets,” Hassell said. “So anything from showers, breakfast, survival gear, we have a kennel where people can put their dogs during the day while they’re using services.”

Hassell said they also have their own mental health clinic on site, a program that helps with legal aid and school for children who have a hard time maintaining attendance in public school.

Hassell also addressed misconceptions about the homeless population, including that many of the people served there are addicted to drugs or have a mental illness.

“I think the bigger picture to that is we do not have systems in place in our society that allow people who are living paycheck to paycheck to make a mistake, to have an accident, to have an injury,” Hassell said. “They miss out on work, they lose their home, they lose their job, they end up on the streets, they eventually end up needing places like Loaves and Fishes just to survive.”

Hassell said their primary goal is to make people feel safe, which is why the organization has a very low barrier to access its services. She explained that when people come for meals, they are typically only asked for their name and do not need to provide any additional information.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel