Meet our staff
Loaves and Fishes is a 501C3 nonprofit founded in 1983. The mission of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa is to provide community based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. We are the largest provider of hot meals to the hungry in Contra Costa County, serving over 251,000 hot meals this fiscal year in five dining rooms.
Administrative staff
Joleen Lafayette
Executive Director
Karen Olson
Operations and Volunteer Manager
Janette Kennedy
Development Director
Lisa Guadagna
Development Associate
Mary Stark
Administrative Assistant
Kitchen Staff
James Porter
Chef/Kitchen Manager Catering
Carissa Crader
Sous Chef
Juan Andazola
Driver/Kitchen Assistant
David O’Callaghan
Driver/Kitchen Assistant
Dining Room Managers
Marlene O’Connell
Martinez
Dining Room Manager
Cynthia Linquist
Martinez
Dining Room Manager
Deborah Robertson
Oakley
Dining Room Manager
Christina Loyola Cabral
Antioch
Dining Room Manager
Vincent Cabral
Antioch
Dining Room Assistant
Julie Protich
Pittsburg
Dining Room Manager
David Armstrong
Pittsburg
Dining Room Assistant
Bayardo Ruiz
Walnut Creek
Dining Room Manager
Weekend Staff
Carissa Crader
Martinez Weekend Program
Theresa Castro
Weekend Assistant Manager
Culinary Staff
Ted Elsner
Culinary Training
Program Director