Thank God For Loaves and Fishes
	Someone suggested that I should write something about the Sacramento Loaves and Fishes after reading my homelessness rant, and I think that it's a great idea.  We all know a little about Loaves and Fishes, but I am going to let you know about many of their programs, either to improve your knowledge or, who knows, you may need to know this one day.    First of all, Loaves and Fishes provides a home cooked lunch for the homeless or just hungry guests.  There is the main dining room, and even a seperate dining room for women and children.   They own Friendship Park.  Friendship Park is a private park for the daytime use of the homeless.  They have bathrooms, along with coffee, breakfast, free telephones, locker storage, showers, laundry vouchers, and free ice.    For homeless persons with pets, they have an Animal Emergency Assistance program.  They have a day care kennel, pet food, vaccines, emergency medical care and a neutering program.    They run an adopt-a-family program for around christmas time.  Which means that willing families can adopt a homeless family and share their christmas with them.    They have a free health screening, as well as a mental health program.  This includes individual and group counceling, psychiatric assessments, medication and referrals to other needed services.    For homeless children, not only do they have a private school, but a playground called Loha's Garden.  It is also managed by the private school.     These are just a few things that the Sacramento Loaves and Fishes tries to do for the homeless community in the Sacramento area.  Without them a lot of people would be sick, struggling, and maybe even dead.  Loaves and Fishes are always needing donations and volenteers.  Check out their site www.sacramentoloavesandfishes.org, and see what you can do to help out.     -heather