Loaves & Fishes “Battle of the Champions” puts the fun in fundraiser

By Jason Crane

Big smiles, sizzling food, and funds raised, were the main ingredients of the Chef Showdown, “Battle of the Champions” on the evening of Wednesday, March 9, at Loaves & Fishes new Food Distribution Hub at 580 Exchange Court, Aurora. The event was held in partnership with My Chef Catering raising funds for essential services for struggling families in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties.

The “Battle of the Champions” showcased the winning restaurants from the past years of the competition. Executive chef Eddie Sweeny again represented Catch 35, and chef Ian Schlegel, chef de Cuisine of Che Figata, created unique dishes using food from the Loaves & Fishes Market in a stadium kitchen assembled for the competition.

Executive chef Eddie Sweeny from Catch 35 won the challenge, but most would agree the real victory is the ability to meet the challenge to help families with food insecurity.

The evening was emceed by Ray Kinney from Blooming Color and Nicki Anderson from Benedictine University.

“This building, this location is incredible!” Anderson said. “I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with the work Loaves & Fishes does, but this location increased that capacity and had an impact in such a way that we now have online ordering for families that don’t have the opportunity to come in and shop. I’m so proud of the work of Loaves & Fishes and so proud to be associated. The car donations, and the services that they give our families, I could go on about!”

 President and CEO Mike Havala said, “We are thrilled to be hosting Chef Showdown, at our new facility and are so very grateful to our partners, sponsors and guests. We are looking forward to a unique, fun, and memorable event that will make an impact for families in need.”

The competing chefs were assisted by celebrity sous chefs and Loaves & Fishes supporters Beth DeGeeter, Dean’s Clothing; Natasha Marriner, Busey Bank; Jessica Linder Gallo, president and CEO of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Benny White, Joliet West Sr. Army instructor JROTC and Naperville City councilman. Dishes were voted upon by a panel of select judges, mayor of Naperville, Steve Chirico, Joe Chura, Celeste Wagner, and Lenore Chemers.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers of a wide variety provided by My Chef Catering.

Several additions to the event this year were the Ice Bar in the new Loaves & Fishes walk-in cooler, where guests enjoyed a specialty cocktail in the icy lounge. Guests were able to sample the new, locally made non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic craft beer from GO Brewing.

Another new option for this year was the “Feel the Heat Seats,” where supporters were able to feel the excitement and energy of the kitchen with a close-up view of all the action. The ticket included a personal server for the night and a visit to the Ice Bar. There was a wine auction and a moment to raise the paddle to provide additional funds for Loaves & Fishes Community Services. 

The history of Loaves & Fishes:

1984 St. Raphael Church opened a pantry to assist families in need of food. Eight families were helped that year.

1991 18 area churches and civic groups came together to organize the Pantry as a not-for-profit corporation to meet the needs of Naperville.

1992 Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry opened its doors at its new location on West 5th Avenue.

1999 A move is made to a larger location at 556 West 5th Avenue as more than 3,000 food distributions are provided during the year.

2000 A home delivery program to assist senior citizens and disabled residents living in government-subsidized housing is established.

2002 A warehouse is added at 552 West 5th Avenue to accommodate growth in food distributions to more than 9,000 per year.

2003 Home delivery grows to include five sites. Food distributions climb to more than 10,000 for the year.

2004 School nutrition initiative established to provide summer meals for Naperville students, and we distribute more than 17,000 lunches.
Approximately 950 Naperville students in grades 1-12 qualified for government lunches during the prior schools year.

2006 The warehouse is moved next door to 554 West 5th Avenue, allowing us to combine that unit with 556 to better serve our recipients. Mayor Pradel cuts the ribbon at a dedication ceremony.

2007 In the fiscal year ended June 30, Loaves & Fishes provided a record 1,000,000 pounds of food and other essentials to 1,675 families totaling nearly 5,600 individuals.

2008 Loaves & Fishes provided 1,800 struggling families with over 5,000 bags of groceries each month.
Land was purchased for construction of a much-needed, larger facility at 1871 High Grove Lane in Naperville.
Client Choice distribution system implemented to allow clients to shop for the food they need.
Charles McLimans was named Executive Director.
In 2008, Loaves & Fishes was named a finalist for Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Not-for-Profit of the Year; named a finalist for Naperville Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.
The first Day Without Hunger is celebrated.

2009 A fourth food distribution session is added in response to a 60% increase in new enrollments over the same time period last year.
Loaves & Fishes is named Not-for-Profit Small Business of the Year by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

2010 Service area expands to include all of DuPage County. Construction begins on new facility at 1871 High Grove Lane.

2011 Move to new facility at 1871 High Grove Lane and begin Pathways to Empowerment programs.

2012 After meeting with engaged community stakeholders, Loaves & Fishes’ Board of Directors passes our five-year Strategic Plan.

2014 Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry becomes Loaves & Fishes Community Services and announces $6M Power of Community campaign at the 7th annual Day Without Hunger.
Loaves & Fishes is named Top Agency Partner in the area of Safety Net by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.
First-time fundraiser, Night to End Hunger, raises $267,650 for Loaves & Fishes’ programs.

2016 Mike Havala becomes President & CEO. Loaves & Fishes merges with Naperville CARES and expands its services.
Loaves & Fishes Market and Loaves & Fishes CARES programs provide efficiency and greater access for our neighbors.

2017 Loaves & Fishes initiates first session of Moving Up Program, a 16 week, 50 hour class to help our neighbors plan and create their own bright future stories.
The Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carrier’s Food Drive results in a record 97,000 pounds of food collected in one day.
Loaves & Fishes offers weekly shopping in the food market, and increases access to healthy, nutritious food through its food recovery program and local grocery partners.
The mobile market begins distributing to senior citizens in Marian Park Apartments in Wheaton.

2020 Loaves & Fishes introduces the “Building for Lasting Impact” initiative.
As part of the Loaves & Fishes Strategic Plan for 2019-2021, a hub and spoke model was created to increase access to healthy food.
On January 11, 2021, they announced the acquisition of an approximately 30,000 square foot warehouse distribution building that will serve as the “hub,” where they will receive, store and process all the food they distribute.

2021 Loaves & Fishes officially opens the new Food Distribution Hub and expands its service area to Kane and Kendall counties to meet the need of three times the number of people they were serving before.

About Loaves and Fishes Community Services

Loaves & Fishes Community Services is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that has served our community since 1984. Our vision is to end hunger and transform lives. Their mission is to provide healthy food and impactful programs to promote self-sufficiency. You can learn more at loaves-fishes.org.