DECEMBER 2014

A NOTE FROM JENNIFER

Whether you are a new or long-time supporter of our organization, you have chosen
to contribute to our cause for a reasonbecause people in our community are
hungry and you want to
help feed them.
Picture your holiday
dinner, all of your loved
ones gathered around the
table sharing, reminsiscing,
joking, connectingbeing
with those close to you is
the essence of the holiday
spirit.
But there are many in
our community struggling
to afford their loved ones
this opportunity during
the holiday season. We
often focus on the physical
consequences of hunger,
but we must also realize that
the emotional difficulties
involved with food
insecurity are arduous for
far too many local residents
that face hunger on a
consistent basis.
Joy is a word commonly
associated with this time of year, but it cannot totally mask the struggles of the
holiday season for thousands in Kalamazoo County. Think of the mother that doesnt
know where a mid-December dinner for her children will come from, much less the
ingredients for the holiday meal meant to feed extended family that are visiting
from out of town. Think of the father that has to choose between a weeks worth of
food or putting presents under the tree for his children.
Your generosity helps alleviate this stress and brings joy and togetherness for so
many. Whether you are donating food, time or funds, you are making a difference
this holiday season.
Thank you for thinking of our friends
and neighbors, and we wish you a happy,
healthy and peaceful holiday season.

Coming Up

Run Through The Lights: Registration

is now open for Run Through the
Lights, a fun run through the dazzling
holiday lights of Kalamazoo! For more
information on how to register, visit
www.gazellesports.com/RTTL.
Thank you to our many sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor:

Golden Ring Sponsors:

Cummins Label
Townsquare Media/103.3 WKFR
Adams Outdoor
Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation
Silver Bells Sponsors:
Nulty Agency
Agility Physical Therapy
Papas Italian Sausage
Brooks
Kalamazoo Sportswear
Holiday Lights Sponsors:
Miller Davis Company
Life EMS

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
PROMOTIONS CONCEPTS, INC.
Since 1983, Promotions Concepts, Inc. (PCI) has sponsored the
PCI Expo, which combines the promotion industrys top product
offerings with marketing expertise for its many clients. Kalamazoo
Loaves & Fishes was once again the beneficiary of the event, which
raised $2,149 to help feed hungry people in Kalamazoo County.
Since 2008, more than $18,500 has been raised towards our
cause at the expo because of PCIs dedication to our community.
Each year, PCI dedicates money donated at their fall expo to
help hungry people in Kalamazoo County, said KLF Executive
Director Jennifer Johnson They leverage their position in the
community to bring awareness to those who dont have regular
access to food the most basic of needs. We are so grateful
to have their support and commitment towards a hunger-free
community.
Promotions Concepts, Inc. is one of Western Michigans premier
promotion, incentive and award program agencies. Founded in
1982, the company has built a strong reputation for caring service,
creativity, technological savvy and results.
For more information on PCI and all that they do for Kalamazoo
County, please visit www.promotionconcepts.com. Thank you to
PCI for making a difference in our area!

GIVING TUESDAY
You've heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but on
December 2, 2014 you can help kick off the holiday giving
season on Giving Tuesdayan annual, national day dedicated
to giving back to your community.
The goal of the movement, which began in 2012, is to
inspire personal philanthropy and encourage bigger, better
and smarter charitable giving during the holiday season. It also
unifies charities, corporations, small business and individuals
from across the country to show that the world can give as
good as it gets.
Most importantly, Giving Tuesday is about people in our
area coming together to do extraordinary things. For more
information on how to contribute food, funds or pledge time in
celebration of this event, please visit www.kzoolf.org.

Join the
Movement!
Are you interested in helping make Kalamazoo
a hunger-free community? Weve got a place for
you! Attend a brief volunteer orientation to get
started.
Volunteer Orientation dates:
Saturday,

December 13
January 10
Wednesday, January 28
Saturday

Sign up with Volunteer Coordinator

Cherise Buchanan at 269.488.2617 ext. 209
or at cherise@kzoolf.org

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVES

Nearly 38,000 local residents, including more
than 10,500 children, struggle with hunger
every day.
You can help provide year-round food support
this holiday season by holding a food drive.
Contact Food Procurement Specialist
Marvin King at marvin@kzoolf.org or at
269.488.2617 ext. 224 for more information.

FOOD
WISH LIST
December:
Canned Meat

December marks the third-year anniversary of the opening of

KLFs facility located at 901 Portage Street in Kalamazoo.

KLF DECEMBER GIVING COUPON

DECEMBER
2014
COUPON
#135

AMOUNT $_________________
The spirit of giving is in the air! Your contributions help our neighbors in need
have a happy and healthy holiday season.
Please send your contribution by December 23.

January:
Beef Stew

Did you know that with just

$1, KLF can feed an individual
three meals for a day? Please
consider making a fund
donation as well.

KLF JANUARY GIVING COUPON

JANUARY
2014
COUPON
#136

AMOUNT $_________________
Make your New Years resolution one that helps build a brighter future for
Kalamazoo County by helping KLF feed hungry people in our community.
Please send your contribution by January 24.

KLF BY THE NUMBERS

Every week Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes distributes much
needed meals to thousands of local residents; here is a
quick breakdown of why your support matters:

$1 $1 can provide enough food for three meals for a

local resident struggling with hunger.

60 KLF provides critical food assistance at more

than 60 locations throughout the county through its

many programs, including at more than 25 pantry
sites through the Grocery Pantry Programour
largest and longest-running program.

2.3 million Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes

provided enough food for more than 2.3 million meals

to hungry people in our community last year.

750 KLF serves an average of nearly 750

individuals per service day.

MARKS STORY
Mark* is a family man. He wakes up
before sunrise six days a week to read the
morning paper before heading out to

work, a job he has thrived at for more than

20 years. After work, he comes home and
spends time with his familyoften times
skating and playing hockey with his three
sons at the neighborhood pond during the
winter months.
Like most of us, Mark has
experienced the full spectrum of life's
rollercoaster. He dealt with the worst
of it last December when his wife was
diagnosed with a potentially longlasting illness.
Its hard to even talk about it
right now, we were all worried about
herand I had the added stress of
supporting our family. Mark said.
Things werent perfect before, but
we were comfortable. Now, all of a
sudden, most of my paycheck is going
to medical bills to help my wife get
better.
Plus, when you add in that this
all happened just a few weeks before
Christmas. I struggled to figure out a

way to cover our most basic billshow am

I supposed to tell my kids that Santa might
not be coming this year?
Fortunately for Mark and his family, our
generous community is eager to help.
I went to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
and was taken aback. Everyone was so
willing to help and no one judged me.
Taking that first step was hard, but
it helped alleviate some of the immense
financial stress we are dealing with.
My wife is a fighter, and I know she will
get through this. My boys are also growing,
and now I can be confident that they will
get to eat every day.
The food provided to us by Kalamazoo
Loaves & Fishes helped us enjoy Christmas
last year. For one day, we were able to
forget about all of the uncertainty that we
were struggling with in our lives.
*Name changed for anonymity

TRIBUTES
In Honor Of

9/1/2014 10/31/2014 Special thanks to those who honor friends and family through contributions to KLF.

All the women who are fighting for

health & freedom & fairness
Ruth Nodel
Dr. Jonathan Barkow
Marvin King
Cameron Brege
Joel & Jacqueline Murray
Janet K. Buck
Janet Buck
The Choudhury Family
Barbara Kleinman
Citizen Diplomats of Colleagues
International
Susan Larner
F. Chris Crowell
Nancy & Ron Crowell
Ben Dilla
PNC staff
Greg Diment
Nancy M. Diment
Deborah Gauntlett
Dorothy E. Gauntlett
Edward Glista
Dolores B. Glista
Kay Hanson
Jacqueline Wylie
Maribeth & Ron Huster
Mark & Cynthia Cotter
The Janssens & Glenns
Pat & Sue Janssen
The Klott, Engels & Gershaw
Families
Karen Ann Klott
Valery & Kimberly Lane
Phyllis Thayer
Anne Wend Lipsey
Robert & Mary Doud
Ed Manning
Eleanor J. VanZandt
Sister Betsy Meagher, S.J.
Robert & Carol Payne Smith
Ellie Moore
Carol E. Bailey-Pellowe
The Oliver Family
Dr. Elmon & Avonda Oliver, Jr.
Erin Palmer
Michael Palmer & Barbara GrahamPalmer
Doug Paul
Virginia Weller
Pay It Forward Flashmob 2014
Tami Idzkowski
Phyllis Romanak & Jake Peterman
R. A. Rifenberg
Martha Poolman
David & Wendy Arnold
Robert & Kathleen Re
Abby & Bradley Sturm
Kelsey Reynolds
Gene Ranger
Rev. & Mrs. Stoepker
Ruth S. Wilson
Stys-Zeiss Wedding Guests
Michele Stys
Pastor Dave Thompson
Shirley Kloosterman
Alison Thor
Michele D. Behr
Maira Bundza
Patricia & Raymond Burgwald
Barbara Cockrell
Kathy Gerow
Laurel A. Grotzinger
Kathleen Langan
Carrie Leatherman
Martha Maytnier
Cecelia Moore
Lou Ann & Robert Morgan
Joan A Morin
Gregory & Michelle Peet
Maria Perez-Stable
Galen & Kathleen Rike
Diana Sachs

Gregory & Terri Stowers

Norma & George Sylvester
Jon & Patricia VanderMeer
Robin A. Williams
Tims Towing
Alan Forrester
Transmission Clinic
Alan Forrester
Dr. Earlie M. Washington
Patricia Pettinga

In Memory Of

Betty Alberg

Mary Jane & Gordon Rantz

Robert Boudeman
Thomas & Clara English
Patrecia Breen
Kay Baetsen
Len Bridge
Geraldine K. Bridge
Richard R. Buck
Janet Buck
Karen Cernik
Joseph J. Cernik
William Chope
Jean Chope
Patricia Coleman
Liz Roelofs
Dr. Frank Cretsinger
Helen M. Barrett
Tom Crooks
Martha Vandelinde
Ernest & Lucille Derhammer
Barbara & Mark Pearson
Joyce DeRight
Jolene Jackson & Alonzo
Hannaford
James Dillon, Sr.
Jude & Barbara Daniels
James, Lucille and Joseph Dillon
Colleen M. Berger
Terrence Duggan
Patricia & Ronald Newman
Evan Ebling
Moyra M. Ebling
Richard Evans Jr.
Irene Evans
Richard Evans Sr.
Irene Evans
Robert & Margaret Faist
James & Mary Faist
The Farrell Sisters
Maria DeJony & Marty Franz
Jane Faurot
Robert & Judith Shrimplin
Jack & Marian Fisher
Frank & Trudy Roerade
Marian Fisher
Charles & Stacie Dineen
John P. Flynn
Fran Flynn
Barbara Foster
Nancy & Ronald Creech
Dr. Caryl P. Freeman
Marcia Mascolini
Dr. Robert W. Grossman
Sue Grossman
Julia Hentschl
Matthew Early & Mary HentschlEarly
Roy & Genevieve Hiler
Kay Hiler
Barb Hoekstra
Gertrude Hoekstra
Grace Hoekstra
Gertrude Hoekstra
Eileen & Clayton Holaday
Margaret & Tim Franklin
Marie E. Iagnocco
Frank Iagnocco
JJ Jarrett
Jay Jarrett
Arturo Ramos Johnson
Isabelle & Rosa Linda Olivarez

D. Carol Johnson
Larry & Nancy Jones
Paul & Helen Kelly
Dick & Pam Nivala
Harry Kindle
Maxine Kindle
Marguerite Kolb
Grant Kolb
Lance Lambert
Martha Vandelinde
Brenda & Jack Lancaster
Helen Lancaster
Jane Leversee
Kathleen Fleece
Sally Lindsay
Ann Lindsay
Jeanette Loedeman
Kathleen W. Neal
William D. Lorentz
Marilyn Lorentz
Linda Mary Renauld Lutz
Robert & Norberta Renauld
Colleen Magnan
Jim Magnan
Robert Markus
Anonymous
Paul & Mildred Matyas
Luvina Alvarez & David Matyas
Dennis McCarthy
Kathleen Barnes
Don McKinley
Marilyn McKinley
Ralph E. McNabb
Robin McNabb
Gil McWethy
Lillis McWethy
Richard Mehl
Charles A. Schultz, Jr.
Katherine Meier
Ronald & Norma Betten
Betty Jane Cavanaugh
Marilyn Glasscock
David & Kristine Grinder
Robert & Tillie Kloosterman
George & Patricia McCullough
Herb & Linda Persons
Shirley Sincler
Carol Waszkiewicz
Mr. & Mrs. Wolbers
Mary K. Melzer
Leslie Melzer
Patty Minehart
Tim & Dorothy Louden
Harry & Dorothy Miner
Patricia & David Artley
Kathy Mizeur
Vincent Mizeur
Carol Moore
Colleen & Edward Peters
Terry Moorlag
MEC, Inc.
Matthew C. Morgan
Michael & Shirley Summers
Jackie Nemedi
Ron Nemedi
Helena & Emanuel Nodel
Ruth Nodel & Derrick Millard
Denny Nyhuis
Thursday Bridge Club
Priscilla Olton
Roy Olton
Jaimie Oorbeck
Martha Vandelinde
Thomas Oorbeck
Jean A. Oorbeck
Frank Ossiff Jr.
D. Ossiff & G. Hansen
Paul Preston
Sandra Preston
William & Kay Price
Diane Tucker
Tom Pyke
Susan Pyke

Jim Reish
Frances Reish
Jessica Renauld
Robert & Norberta Renauld
Oswald & Alvina Renauld
Robert & Norberta Renauld
Anneliese Reynolds
Jill Frenthway
Brian Rife
Christina M. Nelson
Mary Roche
Jan Walunas
Antonia H. Rostami
Jeff Rostami
Darrell M. Rostami
Jeff Rostami
August Roty, Jr. M.D.
Barbara Roty
Mary Royle
Robert & Karen Heasley
Robert Scherzer
Ross & Helen Barker
Martin & Emma Schmitt
Robert & Norberta Renauld
Katie Schultz
Greg & Colleen Schultz
Manard Schuur
Ann J. Kidston
William John (Bill) Short
Mary Short
Marilyn Scheel
John F. Scheel
Harvey Seilheimer
Katherine Seilheimer
Estelle Selkirk
Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Valentine
Foster L Sherwood Jr
Marjorie Sherwood
Joani Siwik
Christine J. Siwik
Edward & Pamela Siwik
Pamela Siwik
Tom Sonday
Charlotte Hubbard
Pearl Marie Renauld Stone &
Douglas Stone
Robert & Norberta Renauld
Paul & June Tackaberry
Janet Buck
Sandy Thomas
Dinah Kay Strong
Marilyn Tonander
Kathleen W. Neal
Mary Jean Townsend
Joyce K. Thran
Roon Visser
Olga Visser
Carole Walsh
Ronald & Nancy Honeysett
MaLinda Webster
DeVonnah Woodruff
Mrs. M. J. Weltevreden
John Weltevreden
Barney & Florence Westra
Bernard & Shirley Westra
Roger Weurding
Phyllis J. Weurding
Verna T. Wickman
Muriel Johnson
Larry Wright Jr.
Ruth Wright
Larry Wright Sr.
Ruth Wright
Barbara Young
Randall & Laverne Alleyne
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Griffith
Val Harvey
David & Pamela Scott
Mary Staron
John & Gloria Beatty
Ken & Lorraine Youngs
Diana & Thomas Hoy

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

Our Mission

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry

people and engage our community in the
fight to end hunger.

Our Values

Respect
Diversity & Inclusion
Stewardship & Accountability
Integrity
Collaboration
Urgency
Service

Its not
too late!
Help us reach our record-breaking
goal of $325,000 through this
years campaign, please consider
making a meaningful contribution at
www.kzoolf.org/donate or by
mailing your donation today.

Connect With Us:

www.facebook.com/
KalamazooLoavesAndFishes
www.twitter.com/
KzoLoavesFishes

Staff / Business Office

269.488.2617 EXT.
Joan Atwell, Call Center Coordinator
201
Cherise Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator
209
Paul Bushek, Warehouse Assistant
211
Art Cole, Services Director
207
Joe Cook, Warehouse Assistant
211
Theresa Cook, Financial Coordinator
222
Bob Dekker, Warehouse Assistant
211
Greta Faworski, Resource Development Director
208
Joe Galaviz, Warehouse Assistant
211

Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director

Dave Hafer, Warehouse Coordinator
Phyllis Hepp, Organizational Development Director
Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director
Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator
Marvin King, Food Procurement Specialist
Ruth Matteson, Call Center Coordinator
Kevin Minor, Communications Coordinator
Jackie Smith, Pantry Coordinator
Carolyn Tyler, Operations Coordinator
Laura Winther, Donor Database Coordinator

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