In May 2024, Renard’s Catering reached out to St. John’s Ministries with a simple question: Would you like to receive leftover food from our events? Since St. John’s Ministries was currently providing breakfast every day and lunch twice a week (May 1 – October 31), the answer was an easy yes.
Ron and Meg, a longtime volunteer duo and husband-and-wife team, began picking up food from Renard’s Catering every Monday. What started as a small task of one carload and a couple of hours quickly grew, and so did the team. Five more volunteers have since joined in, forming a team that often refers to themselves as “Five Loaves and Two Chickens.” The team now includes several existing and new volunteers, Linda and Tim, Helen W., Faye N., Cheryl G., and Cindy. Together, they now dedicate four to five hours each week collecting, transporting, organizing, and preparing the donated food. Their services and dedication have completely transformed St. John’s Ministries’ meal program.
The effort expanded even further in April 2025, when Stonewood, an event venue just minutes away from Renard’s Catering, began donating as well. Now, instead of one carload, the team often fills three vehicles with food donations, sometimes more, and spends the rest of the morning storing and preparing meals for the days and weeks ahead.
When asked why they’ve taken on this role, Ron and Meg shared, “This was the perfect opportunity. People are hungry, and we can do something about it.”
The impact of Renard’s Catering and Stonewood’s donations, and the tireless work of the Five Loaves and Two Chickens, reaches far beyond St. John’s Ministries. During summer months, when weddings, reunions, and picnics create a surplus of food, the team ensures nothing goes to waste. Extra meals are shared with other local service providers, including Crisis Café, CRE8 Church, All Seasons Transformation House, and StreetLights Outreach. “We take pride in what we are not throwing away,” Ron said.
Each year, St. John’s Ministries volunteers provide more than 900 meals, including 360 dinners. Thanks to these donations and the dedication of the Five Loaves and Two Chickens, only three dinners last season required us to purchase food! The team creates a frozen meal reserve, organized with the help of Brooke Graham, our Volunteer Coordinator, so that when meal team cannot provide, St. John’s Ministries still has something ready for volunteers to serve guests.
Ron, Meg have also been serving breakfast at St. John’s for more than a decade. Their service is rooted in faith and the principles of social justice, especially the belief in the Life and Dignity of the Human Person. As Ron explained, “Every time I serve a guest, I see Jesus. People are hungry, and we can do something about it.” Meg went on to talk about how many “God moments” they experience every Monday.
Thanks to Renard’s Catering, Stonewood, and the Five Loaves and Two Chickens, St. John’s Ministries can provide not only consistent meals but also dignity, comfort, and hope to our guests.
Join us in serving
Every meal at St. John’s Ministries is a chance to bring hope and hospitality to our guests and visitors, and you can be part of it. We welcome individuals, families, service groups, churches, and businesses to sign up for meal service opportunities. Whether you cook, serve, or simply share a meal with our guests, your presence makes a lasting difference.
You can make a difference today. Sign up to serve a meal on our website or contact Brooke Graham, Volunteer Coordinator, at bgraham@stjohnsgreenbay.org. Whether you bring a homecooked dish, help organize a team, or simply serve with a smile, your time ensures that no one in our community goes hungry.
