INSIDE

KLF Reaches Out to Feed Hungry Kids Spotlight on Trinity Lutheran Church Lori Moore Cookbooks Still on Sale Stuff the Bus food drive with K Central Thank You Michigan Harvest Gatherers Thank You Local Faith Groups DECEMBER 2012

Fast Facts

TO WALK IN THE SHOES OF ANOTHER

Our provision of food assistance and its central focus on what we call selfdeclaration of need provides an opportunity for all of us to take a walk in the shoes of someone else. Imagine opening your cupboard and realizing theres no food to make dinner tonight. For many of us, the options at that point are varied: eat out, a trip to the grocery store, cereal for dinner. One way or another, wed figure it out. But for many of those we serve, the same situation is a much bigger problem. Not only is there no food in the cupboard, but the resources to fill it are limited or sometimes not available at all. Again today I heard the now familiar: I never expected to be here [asking for food]. Those are hard shoes to walk in. Were proud that here at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes we have created a community-based system to support people in need. We can get food into the hands of hungry people and we do, five days a week, all year long. At the same time, we need to acknowledge that the decision to contact KLF is not one that is made lightly. A volunteer recognized this challenge, when commenting on how hard it is to get up and staff one of our early morning food distribution sites: I bet its easier to get up and volunteer than it is for the person who is coming to get food today. Another volunteer noted a clients excitement at the opportunity to receive a cake to acknowledge her sons upcoming departure to Afghanistan. KLF has through its whole history relied on self-declaration of need as the primary trigger for accessing our food assistance programs. We rely on people to ask for help when they need it, and we are privileged on behalf of this community to be able to make food available. This standard allows food 12 times in one year based on that self-referral. Our experience tells us that people are judicious in utilizing our services. More than 80% of those we serve access the Grocery Pantry Program six or fewer times in a calendar year. Occasionally I find a not-so-silent critic sitting on my shoulder, making judgments about the people and events around me. Regularly I am reminded that I dont know how it feels to walk in the shoes of that person. I dont know what it was like to get up early to get in line for food, or how hard it was to make that phone call asking for help, or what its like to send a loved one into harms way without a cake to celebrate. Mother Teresa said, If you judge people, you have no time to love them. What a wise woman and how very hard it is for all of us to keep that tendency to judge in check.

The average household size that receives food assistance from KLF consists of three people.

More than 17% of Kalamazoo County residents qualify as nearly poormeaning their income is between 100% and 199% of the poverty level and they are at risk of falling below and into poverty.

Did you know KLF has two Grocery Pantry sites in Portage? Together they have provided more than 17,000 people with food so far in 2012.

KLF REACHES OUT TO FEED HUNGRY KIDS

About one-quarter of kids in Kalamazoo County live below the poverty level and may struggle to have enough to eat every day. To fight childhood hunger, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes reaches out to kids in a variety of ways to help ensure they can be food secure. We know that a child will be healthier and happier if they live in a home thats food secure. Thats why KLFs Grocery Pantry Program is tailored to fit the needs of the entire household. More than 40% of the people served through this program are under the age of 18. Families can choose a pantry close to where they live and the specific food items theyre in need of to help ensure everyone in the household has access to the food they need. KLF recognizes that a childs food needs may be outside of the scope of our Grocery Pantry Program, so thats where our Weekend Food Pack

n eeke Program can step in. More children nd F to Supp than ever before are receiving ood o Pack rt S up food assistance through this p or Prog P t Thro rog ram K L F s school-based program: 845 local ram ugh du r Week i ng the e nd kids receive a food pack every L ig h G We ts 5k a zelle Food P l week at various Kalamazoo t h ro l b e c o o n D S p or a c k ll ts ugh ec. and Comstock schools. Our out ecting 6 at Run 6:3 0 e n c c lo s e t h e e v e f o o d a partnership with KLF has pm . ou r a n d n ged for saf ing. T d fund had such a positive impact he c ety, d on to p an a rtic so fa ou rse ation on children, said Donna w w d regis ipate. Gmilies a w ill b s w.g e Carroll, of Communities a ze ter to r et mor re l le s un a e de p or in Schools of Kalamazoo ta i l s ts.c t om . which connects kids to our programs. She said children were coming to school on Monday mornings obviously hungry before they started going home with and our food packs on Fridays. into the KLF is also experimenting with light, according a pilot initiative to reach students in to Art Cole, KLF Services middle and high schools. Food options Director. at these sites are kid-friendly for the Click on the Give Help link at many teenagers who help with the www.kzoolf.org for ways you can get cooking at home. Theyre also easy involved in ending childhood hunger to prepare to accomodate teens who locally. are homeless or live in transitional housing and dont always have access to cooking equipment. KLF continues to work with local schools to take hunger out of the dark

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TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH SUPPORTS FEEDING HUNGRY PEOPLE IN MANY WAYS

Trinity Lutheran Church is one of Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes longtime partners, who we couldnt do this important work without. Inside their downtown building on S. Westnedge Ave., they house and staff a KLF Grocery Pantry site that has provided grocery assistance to more than 1,800 households so far in 2012. The dozens of volunteers there handle the logistics of running a food distribution system, including ordering cases of food, stocking the shelves every week, and serving local households in need of food assistance four days a week. Pantry Coordinator, Evan Kokales, oversees the operations at this site and is happy to be a part of KLF, where he knows his volunteer efforts will reach local families who are truly in great need. Not only do they operate a Grocery Pantry site year-

round, they also collaborate with the annual Kzoo Folklife Organization to host a concert every year. This concert helps highlight hunger in our community and allows Trinity to talk about the good work theyre doing at their KLF Grocery Pantry site to fight hunger. The concert this year was held on Nov. 17 and included a line-up of more than a dozen local bluegrass, country and folk musicians. Unique events like this concert are what really creates a community-wide spirit of hunger awareness and the joy of helping others. The evening also gives volunteers and the church the opportunity to show the greater community the many connections between faith groups and creating a hunger-free community. If youre part of a local faith group that is interested in learning more about how you can help fight hunger in Kalamazoo County, call Kimberly at 488-2617 ext. 218 or visit our website at www.kzoolf.org to learn how to host a successful food or fund drive. Consider creating your own collaborations within this community to raise hunger awareness.

BUY A COOKBOOKMEET LORI MOORE SUPPORT HUNGRY PEOPLE THIS HOLIDAY

WKZO radio personality Lori Moore is once again offering her legendary Potluck Pals cookbook. This year, Loris created the Eat Local edition which provides the best recipes themed around local Michigan produce. For $5, youll get to meet Lori, have her sign your cookbook, and help provide a days worth of meals to someone in need. For KLF, local growers make all the difference in the amount of fresh produce were able to distribute every year. For example, members from Kalamazoo First Assembly of God and St. Catherine of Siena generously support our programs by either donating food straight from their church garden, or by transporting produce from local farms to KLF food distribution sites. We couldnt do this important work with them, or without you! There are three chances left to get your cookbook and have it directly impact people KLF serves. Remember: every dollar raised helps feed a hungry person. We hope to see you there!

November 30, 11 am1 pm Hardings Friendly Market 3750 W. Centre St., Portage December 11, 11 am1 pm Hardings Friendly Market 8900 Gull Rd., Richland December 14, 11 am1 pm Hardings Friendly Market 5161 W. Main St., Kalamazoo GRAND FINALE!

STUFF THE BUS FOOD DRIVE ON DEC. 15

Kalamazoo Central High School students will be collecting food donations on Dec. 15 at Hardings Friendly Market, 5161 W. Main St., from 9 am3 pm. Every winter, students gather on a wintry Saturday to literally stuff a school bus with as many food donations as they can. In 2011, they collected more than 7,000 lbs. of food to support our hunger-relief programs. Food items were most in need of are: Macaroni & cheese Peanut butter Boxed instant potatoes Canned vegetables & fruits Canned tuna High-protein soups and stews Stop by Hardings on Dec. 15 to support kids helping kids be hungerfree. Kalamazoo Central High School students unloading their food donations at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes in 2010.

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Join the Loaves & Fishes Team

Interested in helping Kalamazoo become a hunger-free community? Weve got a place for you! Attend an orientation meeting to get started. VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION DATES: Thursday, December 20 Saturday, January 12 Thursday, January 24 Sign up with our Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Winther: 269/488-2617, ext. 209 laura@kzoolf.org

ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION IDEAS

Holiday celebrations vary, but many always include the element of food. As we approach this holiday season, lets keep in mind what the holidays may feel like for those who cant always rely on full cupboards or a stocked kitchen pantry. Consider some alternative ways to celebrate that reinforce your values and bring some added consciousness to the season: Create a giving jar for the children in your family. Make a contribution for every light on your tree or fast for one meal and donate what you wouldve spent eating out. Draw a holiday-themed calendar with pictures of things youre grateful forlike enough food to be happy, healthy and active. Invite a new friend or co-worker to join you for a meal if they arent able to spend time with their own loved ones. Share your own ways to celebrate at www.facebook.com/KalamazooLoavesAndFishes.

THANKS MICHIGAN HARVEST GATHERING PARTICIPANTS

Thank you to all the local businesses and state entities that participated in this years Michigan Harvest Gathering food and fund collection. At the time of printing, tentative totals were $10,138 and 2,598 lbs. of food from this years MHG participants,

including employees at Bronson Hospital, Borgess Medical Center, State of Michigan offices, and more. Every year, your fall gifts come at a time when community support is so important to keeping our shelves stocked and our trucks running. We couldnt fulfill our mission of feeding hungry people without you, so thank you!

Sister Paula Terese Pilon, Pam Beeman and Mary Heintzkill of Borgess Medical Center with some of their donations.

FOOD WISH LIST

December:
Canned tuna

KLF December GivinG coupon

DECEMBER 2012 COUPON #113
AMOUNT $ _______________ I wish to remain anonymous. What would the holidays feel like without having your most basic needfood? Imagine how your traditional celebrations would change. Help ensure local families will have enough to eat for all. Please send your contribution by December 21.

January:
Beef stew Foods high in protein (6 grams or more) are always needed in our warehouse, too.

KLF January GivinG coupon

JANUARY

2013

AMOUNT $ _______________

I wish to remain anonymous.

COUPON #114

Resolutions can be powerful if you stick to them. Our goal this year is to make more local people food secure. Help us achieve it. Please send your contribution by January 28.

THANK YOU TO LOCAL FAITH ORGANIZATIONS FOR SUPPORTING KLF

In our Food for Thought newsletter, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes categorically recognizes some of our recent supporters. We want to take the time to say thank you to the many faith groups throughout the community who choose to support Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes with a gift. Wed especially like to thank our faith partners who operate as KLF food distribution sites for their dedication to our mission of feeding hungry people. These are the faith organizations that donated food or funds between 7/1/2011 and 6/30/2012. Agape Christian Church Allen Chapel AME Church Bethany Reformed Church Bethlehem Baptist Church Centre Avenue Community Church of God Christian Assembly of God Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Church of GodFamily Worship Center Church Women United Community of Christ Church Community Orthodox Presbyterian Church Comstock Christian Reformed Church Congregation of Moses Cooper Congregational Church Dorcas Circle Womens Club First Baptist Church First Congregational Church First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Women First United Methodist Church Fourth Reformed Church Grace Christian Reformed Church Greenwood Reformed Church Gull Lake United Methodist Church Hackett Catholic Central High School Haslett Community Church Haven Reformed Church Heritage Christian Reformed Church Hope Reformed Church Immanuel Lutheran Church Indo American Cultural Center and Temple Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Christian West Elementary School Kalamazoo Friends Meeting Kalamazoo Gospel Mission Kalamazoo Islamic Center Knights of Columbus Council 6980 Knights of Columbus Council 9962 Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Lighthouse Community Church Live Life Church Lord of Life Lutheran Church Lutheran Church of The Savior Mrs. Asburys Youth Group at Stockbridge United Methodist Church Milwood Christian Reformed Church Milwood United Methodist Church National Christian Foundation West Michigan North Park Reformed Church Northeastern Baptist Church Northern Heights Christian Reformed Church Oakwood Bible Church Oshtemo United Methodist Church Oshtemo United Methodist Women Parchment Christian Reformed Church Parchment United Methodist Church Parish Church of Christ The King Cathedral Pathfinder Church Peoples Church Phoenix Community Church Pine Island Church Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church Portage United Church of Christ Prairie Edge Christian Reformed Church Presbyterian Women Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Reformed Heritage Christian School The Roman Girls Schoolcraft United Methodist Church Second Christian Reformed Church Second Reformed Church Sisters of St. Joseph Skyridge Church of the Brethren St. Andrews Community Church St. Barnabas Episcopal Church St. Catherine of Siena St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church St. John Bosco Knights of Columbus Council 13251 St. Joseph Church St. Lukes Episcopal Church St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church St. Michael Lutheran Church St. Michaels Lutheran Womens Missionary League St. Monica School St. Ritas GuildSt. John Bosco Parish St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish Stockbridge United Methodist Church Sunnyside United Methodist Church Sunnyside United Methodist Women Temple Bnai Israel Third Christian Reformed Church Thrivent Financial For LutheransKalamazoo County Chapter Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Trinity Reformed Church Unitarian Universalist Community Church United General Baptist Church Unity Church of Kalamazoo Valley Family Church Westminster Presbyterian Church Westwood Christian Reformed Church Westwood United Methodist Church Zion Lutheran Church

Make Your Gift a Tribute

What to give the person who has everything? How about the gift of food to someone who may have none. Consider making a donation this holiday season in honor or in memory of a loved one to support our anti-hunger programs. Your donation will help keep our shelves stocked full this holiday season and will fill the hunger gap for thousands of local families. Go to www.kzoolf.org/ donate to make an online contribution or include the name and address with your gift by mail.

Thank you to these groups for your support. Your spirit of giving creates a community where we help each other. Please contact us if you believe you were wrongfully omitted from this list. Write or call Jon Riccio at 488-2617 ext. 206 or jon@kzoolf.org.

NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID KALAMAZOO MI PERMIT NO. 1693

901 PORTAGE STREET KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN 49001-3005 FOOD REQUEST LINE: 269/343-3663 P 269/488-2617 F 269/343-3669 WWW.KZOOLF.ORG

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry people and engage our community in the fight to end hunger.

Our Mission

Our Values
Compassion Respect Justice Integrity Advocacy

Joe & Lynn Alberding Barbara Louise Allen Diane & Marty Andersons marriage Barbara Britigans friends Gail Buscher Paul & Dorothy Butchs 60th anniversary Ron & Karen Crandall Virgil & Debra Crandall Greg Diment Marshall & Joyce Drapers 27th anniversary Hannelore Eck Angela Erdmans birthday Fourth Reformed
Patricia Carlin Bob Ezelle Alan Harbaugh Mike Henderson Cheryl Knapp Robert Lohrmann Harvey Myers Helen Norris Stacey Randolph

IN HONOR OF

TRIBUTES 9/1/2012 10/31/2012 Special thanks to those who honor friends and family through contributions to KLF.
Church Adult Choir Aden & Merna Francis anniversary George & Roberta Geissel Ken & Lois Gernaat Rick Halpert Ruth Harring & Tom Smalls marriage Bill & Doris Inkster Gordon Jackson & Sharon Vandersliks marriage Kalamazoo Central High School Class of 1954 Ralph & Betty Kirchs 65th anniversary Father Don Klinger Jaime Klobucar Rod Leversees 65th birthday Shannon & Steve Lumetta John McElwee Mike & Cathy McMinns anniversary Lori Moore Rhonda Newman Carl & Gloria Osterlings 60th anniversary Amber Paggeot Carol Powells 70th birthday Rick & Becky Ramseys birthdays Nancy & Earl Schmuckers 35th anniversary Victor Siemers St. Lukes Episcopal Church Norman & Chris Stehlins anniversary Harry Stickney & Judy Crippens marriage Temple BNai Israel Doug & Penny Thompson Robert Towne Barbara Van Dalen Villas of Stonehenge Pastor Steve Welker Susan Woerners birthday Floyd & Helen Burkey Bruce L. Burrows Karen Christopher Richard G. DeKam Andy DeVolder John Duggan Jake & Lucille Dykehouse Robert Eager, Sr. Frank Eichelberg Jeanne Maltby Fahrenbach John P. Flynn Betty Frakes Paul Freestone Jean French Beth Gauntlett Melvin Greer Beulah Boots Grice Dr. Robert W. Grossman Bill Harrelson Mike Harrelson Blanche Hill Margaret Hirsch Grace Hoekstra Marcia Jackson Su Kehres Jean Kenz Richard Ketelaar George Kilburn Linda Chown King Marguerite Kolb Gretchen LaReau Lillie Laurell Betty Lester Dr. Frances E. Lohr Linda Renauld Lutz Colleen Magnan Brian Mahoney Junne Martin James McDougall Don McKinley Barbara Merkel Mike Miller Kenneth & Luevada Mills Richard Mills Kathy Mizeur Matthew C. Morgan Sandra Norland Clyde Norris Barbara OHara Thomas Oorbeck Glenn Osborn Frank Ossiff Jr. David Park Maxine Patterson Jacoba Coby Peters John Pletcher Louis Pollens Jim Prinz D. Rama Aaron Ranger Jim Reish Jessica Renauld Oswald & Alvina Renauld Darrell Rostami Toni Rostami August Roty Jr. M.D. Robert Ryder Anastasia Schauer Marilyn Scheel Martin & Emma Schmitt

Robert P. Amrhein Marjory A. Anderson Martha Barrons Effie Bauer Roger Benzenberg Sherry Birkhold Rudy Brey Len Bridge

IN MEMORY OF

Harvey Seilheimer Joani Siwik Floyd Smith Tom Sonday Ila Pinky Spencer John Steurer Marie Stoline Doug & Marie Renauld Stone Don Swanson Jim Swanson Paul & June Tackaberry Richard Dick W. Tanner Max Ulrich Vincent Usera Joe VanDyk Roon Visser Frances Walker Carole Walsh Jared & Jane Wend Dave Wohlfert Leona Wood Betty Workman

Board of Directors
Martha Ream Martha Simpson Jan Tiderington

Staff / Business Office

269/488-2617 Joan Atwell, Call Center Lead Paul Bushek, Warehouse Assistant Art Cole, Services Director Bob Dekker, Warehouse Assistant Pat Early, Warehouse Assistant George Geissel, Bookkeeper Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director Dave Hafer, Warehouse Assistant EXT. 201 211 207 211 211 222 212 211

Phyllis Hepp, Organizational Development Director Mary Hutchins, Warehouse Coordinator Jennifer Johnson, Resource Dev. & Public Relations Director Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator Marvin King, Warehouse Director Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director Ruth Matteson, Call Center Lead Jon Riccio, Donor Database Coordinator Kimberly Schoetzow, Communications Coordinator Carolyn Tyler, Operations Coordinator Laura Winther, Volunteer Coordinator

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