Naperville – Loaves & Fishes Community Services announced the purchase of a 10,000‑square‑foot office building at 1879 High Grove Lane, directly adjacent to its existing Naperville market at 1871 High Grove Lane. The new property will serve as a dedicated hub for the organization’s CARES Programs, which offer wraparound support—including health screenings, financial counseling, job assistance, English classes, and vaccine clinics—to help families move from hunger toward self‑sufficiency.
Building a stronger safety net for local families
President and CEO Mike Havala said the acquisition is a key milestone in the nonprofit’s $15 million Nourish Together Campaign, launched earlier this year to expand healthy‑food access and deepen supportive services across DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties. “Our Strategic Plan is about creating a stronger future for families, not simply responding to a crisis today,” Havala explained. “The generosity of our donors and partners is turning the vision of Nourish Together into action.”
Assistant Vice President of CARES Programs Mary Boulos added that the new space will provide greater privacy for client consultations, room for expanded programming, and additional parking for families, volunteers and staff. “This investment marks the next chapter of our work,” Boulos said. “It will give our clients a better overall experience while allowing our team to serve more families.”
Expanded services and measurable impact
Loaves & Fishes already serves roughly 10,000 people each week throughout the four‑county region. In fiscal year 2026 the organization distributed nearly $845,000 in emergency assistance and saw a 56.5 % increase in participation in health‑screening and vaccine clinics. Through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, clients secured more than $2.9 million in tax credits and refunds, a 20 % rise over the prior year.
The CARES Programs address the interconnected challenges that often accompany food insecurity. Services include emergency financial aid, self‑sufficiency workshops, employment support, a car‑program, public‑benefits assistance, tax preparation, nutrition education, health screenings and vaccine clinics. By consolidating these services under one roof, Loaves & Fishes aims to streamline assistance and reduce barriers for families seeking help.
Community support drives growth
The purchase was made possible by donors and partners contributing to the Nourish Together Campaign. Their early support has already funded the expansion of the Aurora Food Distribution Hub and now the new Naperville building, positioning the nonprofit to reach more families with both nutritious food and personalized assistance.
Local leaders and volunteers have praised the expansion as a vital addition to Naperville’s social‑service landscape. The organization’s growth aligns with broader community efforts to strengthen family stability, promote health, and uphold the values of personal responsibility and charitable stewardship.
Looking ahead
While the new building marks significant progress, Loaves & Fishes emphasizes that continued community involvement remains essential. Completing the Aurora hub expansion, extending food access across the region, and further strengthening wraparound programs will require ongoing generosity from individuals, businesses and faith‑based groups.
For more information about the Nourish Together Campaign or to contribute, visit loaves-fishes.org/nourish-together.
Original reporting: Positively Naperville (Aurora area) — read the source article.
