About Us

History

Our Start and Foundings

 

While working at retail stores, Bill Carlisle saw the quantity of good items being destroyed that could be used by needy families. He asked the management of the department stores if he could take the items to be discarded to distribute to those in need. Along with his wife, Shirley and the aid of Barbara Gowen, our Vice President this ministry began. 

 

Thus began the Bread of Life Ministry (BOL).  We were incororated in the 80's to The Bread of Life Ministry, Inc 

 

The BOL began in 1973 helping 10 families. By 2000, it had grown to 1,617 families being served from the BOL facility at Lynnville, IN and more than 40,000 families served through 125 agencies. In 2008, BOL served over one million people with food and clothing from the BOL facility or through the 208 charitable agencies benefiting from BOL.  As of 2025, we are now serving 55,000 individuals and agencies per month!

Lynnville buildings