When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." (Jesus) said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over — twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children. (Mt 14: 13-21)
The gospel writer was talking about the death of John the Baptist (Mt 14:1-12). When Jesus heard about this, Jesus moved away from the people to be alone by himself. He usually moved to the deserted place to be alone or to pray etc. In this case probably he moved to the deserted place to reflect about the event and its implications and also to discern the will of God in this event.
The crowd also followed him. They wanted to be with him to console him (!) or they followed him because there is no more the Baptizer. But Jesus realized their need. They wanted someone to lead them, to assist them, to preach to them. Jesus also recognized their need for food. Jesus was able to read the mind of the people. He knew their need and want without their asking for it.
Jesus asked his disciples to offer them help. In the kingdom of God which Jesus came to establish, Jesus and his disciples are there to assist the people to help them in their time of need. The little they had (five loaves and two fish) were the basis on which Jesus worked the miracle of feed the five thousand. The disciples were asked to bring out the little they had. The little becomes the source of miracle when accompanied by prayer of blessing.
