It’s written in the Bible that Jesus Christ performed a miracle when he used five loaves of bread and two fish to feed more than 5,000 people.

Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) of North Oakland County doesn’t have the power to work miracles, but it does manage to feed lots of hungry folks on a weekly basis thanks to an army of volunteers and donors.

Last year, the nonprofit organization served 11,680 meals to people in Oxford and Orion.

“That’s a lot of meals,” said Love INC Executive Director Patricia Duke, a resident of Oxford Township. “There’s really a need in the community (when it comes to) folks who don’t have enough to eat on a regular basis.”

Through its Community Meals program, established nine years ago, Love INC partners with four local churches to provide dinners to the public every Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

“Anybody who wants one can come in and get a free meal,” Duke said. “There’s no criteria. We have no income requirements. We don’t ask any questions. There’s not like a checklist. They just come in.”

Lake Orion United Methodist serves meals on Monday, Immanuel Congregational United Church of Christ in Oxford Village on Tuesday, Oxford United Methodist Church on Wednesday and LakePoint Community Church in Oxford Township on Thursday.

“We have a lot of folks that come back over and over again,” Duke said.

All of the food is either paid for by churches, volunteers and donors or contributed by local businesses. It’s then cooked and/or served by volunteers.

Duke said the program runs like a “well-oiled machine.”

Community Meals allows people in need to save money they would normally spend on food and use it for other things such as paying utility bills or rent, according to Duke.

“It frees up some of their cash,” she said.

The program also offers opportunities for “fellowship” as friendships are formed among diners and between diners and volunteers, Duke noted.

“It’s nice to get to know people,” she said.

Duke used to volunteer with the program at Immanuel Congregational and that was always her favorite part.

“It’s nice to find out what they’ve got going on in their lives and share different experiences,” she said.

Because the program is not based on financial need, some diners come simply because they’re seeking companionship and conversation.

“Everybody shares stuff over food,” Duke said. “It’s nice to break bread with people.”

Feeding people isn’t all Love INC does. Launched in 2007, the organization operates a clearinghouse, or call center, that serves as a contact point for people in need.

When folks call in, their situation is evaluated and needs are identified, then they’re referred to local churches and agencies with the necessary resources to provide whatever assistance they require.

Love INC assists with rent and utility bills, car repairs, minor home repairs, food, clothing, counseling, budget classes, household goods, personal needs and more.

Love INC helped 395 families with 1,142 needs last year. In terms of referrals, it provided 134 to churches, 310 to Love INC ministries, 435 to various agencies and 93 that were not related to either churches or agencies.

The group’s Clothes Closet provided $10,745 in clothing to 150 families containing 489 individuals.

Love INC’s efforts were supported by 4,964 volunteer hours.