Loaves and Fishes Community began in 1989 when Angie Miller and the late Steve O’Neil opened their family home to Central American refugees en route to Canada. Over the years we have grown into four houses within a few blocks of each other, two of which provide family-style hospitality to people experiencing homelessness, one which offers foster care to children, and a fourth which serves the needs of community and some long-term hospitality. We are rooted in the Catholic Worker movement, with strong influence from community organizing and the labor movement.; We engage in anti-racism and housing organizing; grow two city lots of gardens; help facilitate countywide anti-homelessness efforts; and run a no-cost bike shop which sends our 150-200 bicycles every year on a work trade system.
Like the message of the Bible story that gave us our name, Loaves & Fishes Community believes that sharing is contagious. We welcome people of all faiths and none to join us as we practice nonviolence and community, advocate for social change, and offer family-style hospitality to people experiencing homelessness.
Membership process begins with a questionnaire and email/phone communication or visit, if practical. Potential new members take part in an experiential period of three months, after which the community and potential new member decide if we are a mutual fit for one another. Short-term volunteers are welcome, but membership requires a minimum one-year commitment to the community.
E-mail or call. Priority for beds is given to local people experiencing homelessness, so we cannot always accommodate visitors but will do our best!
The whole membership decides collectively.
Everyone must agree before moving forward.
Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.
Decisions are made by core community through consensus. Major decisions include a process of input and consultation with guests and extended members/supporters. House ownership and maintenance is managed by an independent board made up of members of the community and extended community supporters.
Members contribute a percentage of income to community funds.
Regular fees: $50
Labor: Yes (30 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Members are strongly encouraged to take paid work outside the community for no more than 20 hours per week, and tithe 10% of income to the community.
Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Internet
Within city limits with access to urban amenities and infrastructure.
Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
kitchens, dining, and social areas.
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
{{ item.label }}
{{ item.value ? item.value : currencyFormat( item.amount ) }}
Subtotal
{{ currencyFormat( pricing_summary.total_amount ) }}
We’re introducing new Plus features — including community reviews, Profile Match, and unlimited Needs & Offers posts — while keeping most of FIC free for everyone. Membership costs less than two coffees a month.
