Our Mission

The heart of 2 Li'l Fishes is helping our neighbors in need, without fanfare, frills or formality. Hard work, sacrifice and focus make the program work. Please enjoy exploring our website and learning how you can become partners with us in fulfilling the motto of 2 Li'l Fishes:
Restoring Hope One Plate At A Time.

Our History

In the mid-1990s the Peoples Church of Chicago began a meal program as a way to help the growing number of people in need in the Uptown community. It operated with a small budget, one part-time staff person, served meals on three days, and helped about 300-350 Guests each week. The program continued in this way for more than ten years.

In 2006 our current Program Coordinator, Isaac Barrantine, took over. Almost from the start he realized that a greater level of service would soon be needed and he began to organize an expansion plan to achieve it. Besides his personal interest in the well-being of troubled individuals in Uptown, Isaac was also inspired by the New Testament miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, when many were fed from little because there was a belief that it could be done and a will to make it so. From this inspiration the 2 Li'l Fishes concept was born.

By 2008 Isaac was ready to put his plan into motion. With the backing of the Peoples Church and the generosity of various individuals, organizations and corporations the meal program was able to support a staff of three full time persons, purchase equipment and appliances for food storage and preparation and add a fourth day of meal service. Currently the 2 Li'l Fishes meal program serves hot, nutritious lunches, in a safe environment, to over 500 Guests each week. For 2009 Isaac is readying Phase Two of his plan, with goals of: continue principal operations; growing community awareness, participation and donations; obtaining long term funding commitments; and adding two more days of meals for a total of six each week. As of today, we are not far from our goal!