Guiding Principles
The House of Bread was founded in 1983 by Sister Dorothy Kammerer and Joe Bettman, with the belief that no one deserves to go hungry. Over 30 years since the first meal was served, the House of Bread today operates with that very principle.
At the House of Bread, we believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Everyone deserves to have a meal in a place where they feel welcome and appreciated. No one is ever turned away from the House of Bread, and everyone is treated as a special guest.
We prevent hunger by offering a hot, nutritious, lunchtime meal 7 days a week. Staff and volunteers work together, primarily using donated food, to prepare the meal each day. We serve lunch in two dining rooms, with one being specifically for our families with children.
We don’t believe in duplicating programs or resources offered by other social service agencies in the area. So while our guests enjoy lunch, we offer them referrals and assistance in accessing needed resources. We help our guests with everything from a simple phone call, referral to emergency shelter, to help with finding a preschool for their children.
Mission
To prevent hunger and serve as a bridge to beneficial community resources.
What People Are Saying
“Had someone ask me once, why do you go to the house of Bread? And I told them I take the Lords own admonishment to us, ‘when I was hungry, you feed me’ and I take that literally and personally.”
“The House of Bread is a blessed place to be. People are so warm and friendly and they make you feel like you are going to make it.”
“We are here today to cook and serve the people if this area. It’s important because everyone deserve to be feed. We need to give back from which we have and are blessed with.”
“They are coming to us for lunch, they are coming to us for nutrition, and they are also coming to us for social interaction and community.”
Board of Directors
Lisa Henderson
Chair
Greater Dayton Area
Hospital Association
Zontaye Richardson
Treasurer
Theze Dealz
Ashley Harris
Secretary
Job and Family Services
Ron Rollins
Vice Chair
Retired
Members at Large
Jason Antonik
PNC Financial
Alonzo Edmonds
Montgomery County
Treasurer’s Office
Aaron Lumpkin
Chase Financial
Karen Bledsoe
WYSO Public Radio
Jack Giambrone
Sinclair
Judith Moore
Salon Owner
Jacob Davis
Nalls Davis Attorney at Law
Shafton Greene
Soca Enterprises
Staff
Melodie Bennett
Executive Director
melodie@houseofbread.org
Taraisa Fecke
Director of Food Resources
taraisa@houseofbread.org
Mary McClennan
Director of Operations
mary@houseofbread.org
Patti Lovely
Accountant
patti@houseofbread.org
Operations Staff
John Allnutt
Head Chef
Kay Cilbrith
Kitchen Crew
Entisar Khatir
Housekeeping
Michael Nixon
Receiving
Brian Smith
Coffee Barista
Ruby Benson
Organizer in Chief
Hiacinthe Greene-Modeste
Chef
Demetrius Martinez
Kitchen Crew
Scottie Parks
Housekeeping
Brenda Tucker
Kitchen Crew – Family Dining
James Carter
Kitchen Crew
Candice Johnon
Chef – Family Dining
Branden Mullins
Head Chef
Stefan Raglin
Guest Relations
Location
Where We Are
9 Orth Ave
Dayton, OH 45402
We are located at 9 Orth Avenue in Innerwest Dayton. We’re close to the intersection of West Third and Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, and we’re just off Negley Avenue. You can also locate us off West Riverview, on the other side of McIntosh Park, and behind Cat
Operation Hours
Open Daily 11am – 1:30pm
Lunch Served 11am – 1:00pm
Oversight and Accountability
The House of Bread is a private, 501c3 not for profit organization. We are overseen by a Governing Board of Directors, who hire and advise the Executive Director. The House of Bread meets all accountability standards set by the Better Business Bureau, and is a member of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. We are partner agency of the United Way of the Greater Dayton. Our financial records are audited at the end of each fiscal year.
