Loaves & Fishes to open first food pantry in Matthews

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Felipe Trincado said his church community already helps dozens of families in the Matthews area, but soon, they can do more.

"Lot of people that we are seeing can't afford to make their monthly groceries," Trincado said. "We're dealing with low income families, which is $20,000 a year or less."

Trincado said his father is the pastor at Disciples of Jesus Christ on Pleasant Plains Road in a large Hispanic community.

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The church partnered with the Sucot Foundation to build a brand-new food pantry connected to the building.

Next week, Loaves & Fishes will fill that pantry, making it the organization's 37th location.

The pantry will fill a critical gap in the Matthews area. Families have to be referred to shop there.

Trincado said 400 to 600 people are expected at the pantry each month. His family will run the pantry, along with volunteers.

Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes Tina Postel said, "They reached out to us and said, 'Help us. There is a huge need, and we have the space.'"

With Thanksgiving coming up, Postel said they need donations to fill their pantries. Organizations are already holding food drives.

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Last year, volunteers delivered 500 turkeys to Loaves & Fishes pantries. Postel said they plan to do the same this year.

Trincado said he hopes they can help a lot of people in their community.

He said the church will receive its first shipment of food next week. Turkeys should be delivered in two weeks.

The church hopes to open its pantry before Thanksgiving.

Cox Media Group