As an organization that serves the community, Opportunity Junction has its community to thank for its 23 years of successfully placing motivated job seekers into employment. That community includes countless volunteers and partners, like Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa. 
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa (LFCC) is the only organization that serves free hot, nutritious meals to anyone in need on a daily basis in the Contra Costa County area. The organization has offered a long-standing partnership with Opportunity Junction to ensure that our program participants have full bellies during their training days. During the week, LFCC provides hot lunches to trainees in our Administrative Careers Training and Healthcare Career Pathway programs. The food provided by Loaves and Fishes is critical to fueling the trainees and interns who are dedicating their full-time efforts to launching a new career. When the students don’t have to worry about their next meal, it allows them to focus on learning.
Lisa Guadagna, LFCC Development & Community Engagement Manager, said the staff at LFCC are driven by their shared goal of making a tangible difference in the lives of those suffering from food insecurity.
“By eating at LFCC, our clients are able to save some of their income for housing, medical care, utilities and transportation to get back on their feet,” she explained.
Lisa went on to explain that there has been a surge in demand for food this year due to inflation and a decreased availability of CalFresh food assistance. Currently, LFCC’s dining rooms serve four times as many meals per day as the organization did before the pandemic. Last year, LFCC served 281,352 hot meals and 259 tons of fresh produce and non-perishables distributed through the food pantries.
She said the community can best support Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa by getting involved through volunteering, attending their events, or making a donation.
Alongside the core meal program, LFCC also offers a free 12-week Culinary Arts Training Program for individuals experiencing barriers to employment. For more information, https://loavesfishescc.org.
