Loaves and Fishes, the Biloxi soup kitchen that serves 6,000 meals a month on a shoestring budget, has come up with a super way to raise money to feed the hungry as its most challenging time of the year approaches, the holiday season.
The non-profit is raffling a valuable piece of Saints football: a commemorative New Orleans Saints football signed by the entire 2009 Super Bowl Championship Team. Chances to win the football, valued at $2,000, are $25 each, and only 1,500 chances will be sold.
Tickets are now on sale at all Biloxi branches of the Peoples Bank; the downtown Biloxi, D’Iberville and Cedar Lake branches of Trustmark; the Biloxi and D’Iberville branches of Community Bank; or at the Hook-Up Restaurant in east Biloxi. Tickets also are being sold at Loaves and Fishes, 610 Water St.
The winning ticket will be drawn Dec. 15 at the Hook-Up Restaurant, during the halftime of the Saints-Bears game. The winner need not be present.
Loaves and Fishes, the non-profit that was established in 1983, today serves breakfast and lunch six days a week as well as bag lunches for evening and Sunday meals, totaling 6,000 meals a month.
The organization depends on donations and fund-raising to keep afloat, and annually sees a spike in the number of meals served in November and December because of the cold weather. Loaves and Fishes also serves meals at the county cold-weather shelter, which also increases its expenses.
Donations are tax-deductible. Donations may be made directly to Loaves and Fishes at 610 Water St., Biloxi, MS 39530. Loaves and Fishes can be reached at 228-436-6172.
See the football and details