Leadership Team

We feed people. No questions asked.

5Loaves2Fish began in Leland, a scenic town in northern Michigan’s Leelanau County. Founders Michelle and Bill White were inspired by a woman who became their friend, a woman who spoke of the needs of her friends on the street.

I met Melissa in 2017, says Michelle. Melissa would visit my Art and Soul table at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City every week. We became friends and I learned how much she cares for the people in her community, particularly her friends on the street. She knows that life. She has been there.

In March, 2020, with the shutdown due to COVID-19,  many of the outreach services dwindled.

Melissa called in a panic, saying “We need to feed our people” We started cooking! We met in parking lots with containers of food, which Melissa delivered. She knew where to go. We learned that so many in our community are often hungry.

In fact, 40 percent of the population of Leelanau County battles hunger or food insecurity on a regular basis. This, in an area known for its wineries, tourism, and a population of seasonal homeowners.

The response: A small group of dedicated volunteers and supporters quickly stepped in to help – and they have not stopped.

Jane Lippert, Community Outreach Coordinator at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City, helped 5Loaves2FishNMI to reach the right people. The church has several programs to serve the region’s vulnerable population.

As Lippert told the Leelanau Ticker, “I knew we needed someone to help feed the community on Monday nights, and in came Michelle, a dreamer with the ability to make this come true. Her passion comes first, and then she finds the mechanics.”

Lippert described the needs of those being served in the greater Grand Traverse region: Approximately two-thirds are without housing, and one-third have housing but still deal with financial insecurity and other factors such as depression. “Any help they can get with meals is good.”

That’s where Michelle says 5Loaves2Fish comes in.

No questions asked of anyone. The big thing for us is to maintain dignity. You are in a circumstance. I don’t need to know your circumstances. I just want to be there to help you. I don’t care what your problem is.

It is because of Melissa that 5Loaves2Fish is here. Never underestimate the power of love! Thank you, Melissa.