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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 – Operations

Janette Kennedy
Executive Director – Development and External Relations

Nick Wilson
Development Director

Lisa Guadagna
Grants & Communication Manager

Lynette Miscione
Development Coordinator

Mary Stark
Administrative Assistant

Kitchen Staff

Carissa Crader
Chef/Kitchen Manager

James Porter
Logistics Manager

Theresa Castro
Sous Chef

Juan Andazola
Driver/Kitchen Assistant

Kristin Agustin
Driver/Server on the mobile unit

Dining Room Managers

Cynthia Linquist
Martinez
Dining Room Manager

Cassandra Dell’Aquila
Assistant Culinary Manager/Martinez Dining Room Manager

Joe Barrera
Martinez
Assistant Dining Room Manager/Security

Deborah Robertson
Oakley
Dining Room Manager

Christina Loyola Cabral
Antioch
Dining Room Manager

Vincent Cabral
Antioch
Assistant Dining Room Manager/Security

Julie Protich
Pittsburg
Dining Room Manager

David Armstrong
Pittsburg
Assistant Dining Room Manager/Security

Bayardo Ruiz
Walnut Creek
Dining Room Manager

Weekend Staff

Carissa Crader
Weekend Program Manager

Theresa Castro
Sous Chef

Penny Exner
Weekend Dining Room Manager

Culinary Staff

Lavell Renfro
Culinary Arts Training Program Director

Cassandra Dell’Aquila
Assistant Culinary Manager/Martinez Dining Room Manager

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