What makes Tom Berna with Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries a good neighbor?  What does it take to feed a neighborhood? Tom Berna answers this question through action every single day as the leader of Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries in Pittsburgh's Hazelwood district.Tom's journey from retired chemical engineer to community food provider began in 2011 when, as a deacon in the Catholic Diocese, he responded to a simple request to establish a food ministry. What started as a neighborhood buying club has evolved into a comprehensive food support system that now includes emergency food boxes, meals on wheels, a free lunch program, and a monthly food pantry serving 20-30 families twice monthly.The conversation reveals the fascinating operational details of a grassroots food ministry that runs entirely on private donations without government support. With just two part-time staff and 30 volunteers, Fishes and Loaves demonstrates how community-based solutions can effectively address food insecurity. Tom shares candid insights about the misconceptions surrounding food assistance—from the embarrassment some feel about asking for help to the occasional challenges of those who might take advantage of the system.Perhaps most compelling is Tom's personal philosophy of perseverance, shaped by his military training through ROTC. "If I thought I couldn't do something, they showed me in fact I could, if I just pushed hard enough," he explains, a mindset that has helped him overcome obstacles throughout his life and in building this ministry. His message that "this is something that a group of neighbors could do anywhere" serves as both inspiration and practical advice for listeners looking to make a difference in their own communities.Want to support Fishes and Loaves or learn how to start something similar in your neighborhood? Visit their website at fishes-and-loaves-hazelwood.org and discover how small actions can create meaningful change for those experiencing food insecurity.To learn more about Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries go to: https://fishes-and-loaves-hazelwood.org/Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries(412) 499-4313

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