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FoodforTought

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes913 E Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Business: 269.488.2617 / Fax: 269.343.3669

Food: 269.343-3663 / Email: info@kzoolf.org

August 2009

Website: kzoolf.org

Inside This Issue

Galesburg Meat Co. 2

Local Kids Cooking Class 2

Michigan Harvest Festival 2

Food Drive Tips 3

Improved Website 3

Volunteer Corner 3

From GOOD to GREAT!

Fast Fact:

Grocery Pantry Program

service records:

October 2008 served 7295

people in one month

June 30, 2009 served 721people in one day

Every day here at KalamazooLoaves & Fishes we areproviding emergency food

access to people in need. Its amazingand rewarding work. It happensbecause there are hundreds of people

who help, who believe, who are willingto help make it happen. And yet, today

when asked, what do you need food,dollars, my time? My answer is yes,

we need all these things. AND, weneed to embrace a bigger vision of

what more can and must be done toaddress emergency food needs in ourcommunity.

That is why, as we begin our scal

year,we have challenged ourselves tomeet 100% of the expressed need forfood from people in this community.

That will mean that anyone who needsemergency food on the day they

call for service will receive it. Theunprecedented numbers seen over thelast 2+ years provides the evidencethat surpassing our current capacity isneeded (see graph below). The endlessfaces we see and stories we hearprovide the evidence that moving fromgood to great has to happen.

It takes action though. Im talkingabout bold creative action that takes

us beyond simple modications of

our current systems; the addition ofone or two households at one or twolocations. Im talking about being opento thinking very differently about howto meet the needs at a geographicallyisolated trailer park or of seniors

who arent getting out regularly. And,Im talking about staying focused onthe simplicity of this basic service

ensuring access to emergencyfood support for everyone in ourcommunity.

Most of all - we must nd new ways to

articulate our zero tolerance for hungerin this community. We all know it musthappen. Whether its for the child

who cant grow strong when meals aremissed or the adult who doesnt haveenough energy to compete for a job orraise a family together, we work to

support the basic human dignity thateveryone has enough to eat.

Times are tough, but with yourcontinued help we can face thesechallenges. Together, we commit tothe bold new action that supports ourcurrent efforts and nds new ways

to address this most basic of needs food enough available today sothat each of us may fully contribute

to the health and

well-being of thiscommunity, helpingKalamazoo Loaves& Fishes to remaina modern miracle,making a differenceevery day in thiscommunity.

Anne Wend Lipsey

Executive Directo

Remember:

Your ongoing support is

important to KLF. Its

never too soon to think

about Planned Giving.See wwww.kzoolf.org for

more information.

Projected

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2/4913 E Alcott, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001 / P: 269.488.2617 / F: 269.343.3669 / E: info@kzoolf.org / W: kzoolf

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforhoughtAugust 2009 Pag

Local Kids Gain Life Skills through Cooking Class

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishesrelies on local businesses andindividuals to help feed hungry

people in this community whetherthat help comes in the form of dollars,

food donations, or services. In 2008,family-owned Galesburg Meat Co.stepped up and helped support KLFsGrocery Pantry Program by donatingtheir service and making an impossiblesituation possible.

In 2008, the 50 year old meat cuttingbusiness processed two large meatdonations by two separate donors whowanted to resize the meat for distributionto families through the KLF GroceryPantry Program. Owner Mark Christianand his staff, which includes his father

Rich and mother Arlene, completedthe orders but at that time did not fullyrealize the impact and the level to whichthis support helped so many.

The local Galesburg First Methodist

Church houses a KLF pantry serving2000 people a year. It was therethat Mark learned more about theKLF Grocery Pantry System and itscommitment to providing nutritiousemergency food assistance to those thatneed it. You cant believe what needthere is out there, says Mark. There areso many people that need help.

Mr. Christian and his staff have beendonating their services and processing

large meat orders ever since. Theyve notonly saved KLF over $25,000 in costs in

the past year but they have also addedan important protein supplement to thGrocery Pantry Program somethingthat would not be an option without thassistance. Thank you, Galesburg Mea

Company family, for joining the KLFfamily and providing so much to so ma

Galesburg Meat Co. Steps In to Help Others

Mark Christian, owner of Galesburg Meat C

KLF has teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo to pilot ateen cooking class this summer. Once a week from 7:30-9:30 p.m., volunteers fromKLF meet with 15 teens at the Boys & Girls Club on Lake Street. The goals of thecooking class are to help people stretch food dollars, promote healthy eating habits,and demonstrate the use of nutritious foods generally available at KLF pantries.Recipes have included Stuffed Bell Peppers, Veggie Whole Wheat Pasta, and otherdishes made primarily with foods available at KLF food pantries. Participants sample

the recipes at the end of the evening and also go home with the ingredients to makeone of the recipes at home over the next week.

The kids are really excited about it, says Katy Lagoni, a director at the Boys & GirlsClub. They talk about the new foods they are trying and are eager to return. Theclass is lled to capacity and has a waiting list.

This pilot program is a result of our Community Education & Advocacy Committees focus on the second half of KLFs missionhelp hungry people to feed themselves.

T

he 2009 Michigan Harvest Gathering Celebration kicks off at the Capitol inLansing on September 17. This years goal is to raise $430,000 and 300,000lbs of food.This annual event began in 1991 as a way to raise food and fund

for Michigans 10 regional food banks. These regional food banks serve agencies sucas food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in all 83 Michigan counties.

Last year, the Michigan Harvest Gathering Campaign raised more than $679,000 and242,459 lbs of food statewide. More than $9,900 and 38,000 lbs of that total werecollected and distributed to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.

This annual event would not nearly be as successful if it werent for the participationof two local hospital partners, Borgess Health and Bronson Methodist Hospital. Weare proud to collaborate with two organizations that always put community rst and

look forward to another successful year. Stay tuned towww.kzoolf.org this fall tond out more.

Bon Appetitat Boys and Girls Club

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www.kzoolf.org

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforhoughtAugust 20Page 3

913 E Alcott, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001 / P: 269.488.2617 / F: 269.343.3669 / E: info@kzoolf.org / W: kzoolf.or

KLF August Giving Coupon913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

August 2009 Coupon #73

Amount $

Help Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes purchase food for the Grocery Pantry Program bydonating dollars this month. KLF can stretch these donations further by purchasing

more for the money..

Please send your contribution by August 24

KLF September Giving Coupon913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

September 2009 Coupon #74

Amount $

Donate your dollars this month and help ensurethat children have access to the food they need

to grow strong and dream big.

Please send your contribution by September 22

As you are filling your shopping cart, plea

consider contributing some of these

wish list items:

August: Pasta (any variety)

September: Beef Stew

For more information about food drives, please visit www.kzoolf.org or call 269-488-2617

Fall is a busy time or KLF as generous local groups and organizations hold ood drto eed hungry people in our community. Tese drives are important and provide mothan 25% o the total ood distributed to the Grocery Pantry and Supplemental MePrograms throughout the year. Tey also take a little preparation in order to collect items that will most beneft our riends and neighbors. Here are some valuable tips

that help keep Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes programs both nutritious and sae.Collect high protein items

(anything with 7 grams of protein

or more), such as canned meats,

dry beans, soups, beef stew, and

pasta products w/meat or cheese.

Collect fruits and vegetables.

Canned fruit, 100% fruit juice, and

canned vegetables are a regular

staple of the Grocery Pantry

Program.

And when you can, collect dollars,

too. KLF can stretch those donations

further than the average consumer

buying large quantities for

pennies on the dollar!

Remember to avoid rusty, ba

dented cans, perishable item

home-made items, soda, sug

snacks, and open items.

Monthly volunteerorientation is held on the 2nWednesday, from 11-12 andon the 2nd Saturday, at 9 amBoth orientations are heldat the Kalamazoo Loaves &Fishes warehouse, at 913 E.Alcott St.

As donations pick up again

in the fall, there will beadditional volunteer opportunitiesavailable. For more information,contact Seema Jolly at 488-2617ext. 209 or seema@kzoolf.org

VOLUNTEERCORNE

R

The new and improvedwww.kzoolf.orgwas launched in Junewith many new features. You can now:

zDonate Online

zDownload Food Drive information and general donation information

zDownload the latest Food for Thought Newsletter or Annual Report

z Read the latest KLF news and announcements

zDownload directions to the KLF Warehouse and much more!

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FoodforhoughtAugust 2009 Page

The following gifts were received between May 5 and July 6, 2009. If your gift arrived after July 6,it will appear in the next newsletter.

Gifts in honor of:Jim Allens 60th birthday Louelle Bing David and Shiela Bloughs 40th wedding anniversary William and Donna Bryants 50th wedding anniversaryPatricia Careys 80th birthday Erma Commissaris Gloria Copeland Gwen and Phil Curtiss 50th wedding anniversary Greta Deckers 60th birthday

Dorothy DeDee Sis DeWitt Esther and Bill Furgasons 50th wedding anniversary Karen Halstead Roy and Sandy Howards wedding anniversaryArlene Howard Arlene Hubbard Judge Donald E. James & Jerre Locke James James Kirklin Mary Ann Krogh Anne Wend Lipseys birthday Lisa Lu

Rory & Constance Mack Sean McCann & Priscilla Lamberts marriage John Merrions birthday Lamar & Kay Millers 50th wedding anniversaryMrs. Foster Sherwoods birthday Rollin Richmon Bill Rosegrants 90th birthday Sams Club Camine Saracina Victor Siemers on behalf of Dan Harris

Donald Thall Robert Thall The Krueger Family Joan & Charles Van Zoerens 55th wedding anniversaryMr. & Mrs. Michael A. Webers 50th wedding anniversary Donald Wissers 92nd birthday Carol A. Zomer

Gifts in memory of:Paul Abrahamson Charles Alfieri Jr. Richard Alfieri Robert Amrhein Dr. John Azevedo Jim & Kay Baker Bernice Begeman Len Bridge

Marjorie Brown Richard Burlington Bruce L. Burrows Vern A. Comburn Lowell & Leona Comstock Tom Crooks Sandy DeJonge Jean DickinsoLucille Dillon Peter Dondero Robert Eager, Sr. Sally Emaar Jeanne Maltby Fahrenbach Glen Fairbanks Jerald Finnegan DeeDee Foley

Richard Fulton Eugene Gauthier Mrs. Helen Graham Robert Gustafson Jane Hannon - Richard Harring Dr. Clayton Holaday Sylvia JonesEta Kercman Barbara Jo Kirk Thelma Klinkers Gerrit Kloosterman Marguerite Kolb Lance Lambert Irving Lando Louie E. Lansdale John Lindbe

Maxine Louden Linda Renauld Lutz Donald McCarty Lambert Medendorp Betty M. Miller Kathy Mizeur Rosie Nye Eulalia (Ukie) OnderlindeJamie Oorbeck Frank Ossiff Jr. Richard A. Passavant Robert Peterson Nancy Popke Frances Russell Harry Semenczuk Joani Siwik Jeffrey A. Sno

Kay Steeg Jack Still Lawrence & Evelyn Summerville Olin Vanderberg Adrian (Ad) VanKesteren Albert E. Vickery Geraldine VickeryRoon Vissers 91st birthday Gloria Walters Bruce Wellington Dewey Williams Helene Rose Zimmick

Board of DirectorsLeatta ByrdPatricia CarlinRobert EzelleBruce GelbaughMartin GlistaLynn JesselCheryl Knapp

913 E Alcott

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Business Phone: 269.488.2617Food Request Line: 269.343.3663

Fax: 269.343.3669Email: info@kzoolf.org

Website: kzoolf.org

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Kalamazoo, M

Permit No. 169

OUR MISSION:To expand the availability ofemergency food resources andpromote the ability of hungry

people to feed themselves.

OUR VALUES:zCompassion zRespect

zJusticez Integrity

zAdvocacy

Sam LealofiDonna McClurkanHarvey MyersHelen NorrisMaija PetersonsMartha Simpson

Staff/Business Office 269.488.2617 ext.Dick Anson, Warehouse Assistant 211Melissa Burel, Data Entry Gift Processor 206Art Cole, Services Director 207George Geissel, Bookkeeper 206Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director 212Phyllis Hepp, Project Planner 210Lou Hoekstra, Warehouse Assistant 211

Jennifer Johnson, Public Relations/Dev. DirectorSeema Jolly, Volunteer Coordinator Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator Marv King, Food Director Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director Shelley Markle, Warehouse Assistant Sue VanderMeer, Call Center Team Leader