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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

June 2009

Website: kzoolf.org

Inside This Issue

The 2009 NALC Food Drive 2

Independence from Hunger 2

Passion for Community 2

KLF Annual Meeting 2009 3

Stretching into Summer

Fast Fact:

Number of children served in

the summer of 2008 = 8275.

Loaves and Fishes distributes

at least 100,000 pounds of

food per month.

With summer just aroundthe corner Im sure yourmind, just like mine, has

begun to daydream about juicywatermelon and potato salad. Asthe weather warms most of usbegin to think of fresh fruits and

vegetables, picnics and outdoorbarbeques good food is anintegral part of summer. For

many children, however, summeris a time of missed meals andempty bellies. Families that relyon receiving school meals duringthe year to feed their child findtheir budgets stretched over thelong months of summer vacation.

With the kids out of school andtwo extra meals to put on the tableduring the week what are thesefamilies to do?

One piece of good news theFederal Summer Feeding Programwill again be offering 6 weeksworth of meals at sites across thecountry. This program targetsthose children who receive freeand reduced lunch during theschool year and will again providea healthy lunch at sites across thiscommunity. While this program isessential, it does not have nearly

the impact of the school yearbased program. It cant. Unlike theschool year programs, the summerfood program isnt availablethrough routine attendance atschool. Children and their familiesneed to seek out the community-based sites and not all have thetime or information they need totake advantage of the program.So even with the support of thisprogram, the summer still has a

large impact on the nutritional

security of local families and onKLF.

Each summer we see a largeincrease in our service numbers.In 2008, during the months ofJune, July and August alone ourGrocery Pantry Program served8,275 children. This year, acrossMichigan economic woes have

already led to a 30 percent spikein the number of people applyingfor food assistance and seekingout emergency aid from foodbanks. At Loaves & Fishes wehave also seen our number grow.One day recently the GroceryPantry Program set up food for277 children and young people.They were nearly 50% of the totalpeople receiving g roceries that day

And, the thing is, it is only April.

This summer, due to the strain ofa strug gling economy we knowthere are many families who wouldnot traditionally need help that

will now be turning to Loaves &Fishes.

Eyeing these trends, we expect thecustomary increase in the numberof families and children servedto be even greater this year. Weare hard at work bolstering our

already strained system to stretchin to the summer months butwe need your help. Please join usas we prepare to step in to helpstruggling families this summer donate what you can today. Yourdonation can ensure that even

when the shelves are bare at home,those in need can always find fullystocked shelves at KalamazooLoaves & Fishes.

Anne

OUR GOAL:

Your ongoing support is

important to KLF. Its

never too soon to think

about Planned Giving.

See wwww.kzoolf.org for

more information.

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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: FoodforhoughtJune 2009 Pag

On July 3rd, 2009, theKalamazoo Kings will host the3rd Annual Independence

from Hunger food and fundraiser,during their 7 pm game against theWashington Wild Things, with benets

going to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.This year, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes

and the Kalamazoo Kings are focusingon childhood hunger. Without accessto low or no-cost school-based lunches,many children will go without meals

during the summer months. Here ishow you can help! Tickets for thisevent will be sold through KalamazooLoaves & Fishes for $5, with 50% ofthose proceeds coming back to fund thenecessary programs that help feed kidsin our community.

In addition, a food collection site willbe set up outside the main gates prior toand during the rst inning of the Kings

game. If you bring 4 non-perishablefood items with you that night your

Help Feed Hungry Children withIndependence From Hunger

Passion for Community

On May 9, people from all over this community contributed non-perishable food donations in honor of the 17th Annual NationalAssociation of Letter Carrier Food Drive. Bags, boxes, and individucans were set outside doors across the county in support of local fbanks and pantries.

More than 84,000 lbs of food was collected and delivered toKalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to be used to feed hungry people acroKalamazoo County!

Thanks to volunteers, KLF board and staff, and most of all,NALC - Local 246 for dedicating time and energy that day to helpicollect food that will benet hungry people in Kalamazoo County.

For the follow-up to this years NALC Food Drive, please go towww.kzoolf.org.

The 2009 Letter Carrier Food Drive was a Huge Succes

The Grainger Foundation, based upon the recommendation of thelocal Grainger Branch Manager, Carol Hurley, donated $10,000 tothe Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes in April.

Grainger is proud to be supporting Loaves & Fishes. Grainger, muchlike Loaves & Fishes, is passionate about being ready to serve our localcommunity in [this] time of need, said Carol Hurley, Branch Managerof Graingers Kalamazoo facility. Our local team wanted to make animmediate impact in this area and we thought supporting Loaves & Fishes

food bank was the best way to do that.The impact will be immediately felt as the $10,000 donation will allowKalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to purchase the equivalent of two and ahalf semi trucks worth of food that can be distributed through the KLFGrocery Pantry Program.

Donations like these are more important than ever since rising numbers of people in our local community are struggling to makeends meet. Students, workers seeking jobs, and senior citizens are a part of the growing number of people requesting emergencyfood assistance each week.

If you would like to know how your business can contribute funds to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, please contact Anne WendLipsey, at 269-488-2617 ext. 208.

ticket will be FREE. Its a great familyevent to share with one another and agreat way to help kids!

If youd like to help Loaves & Fishessell tickets in advance or would like toknow more about the much needed foodrive items, please call 269-488-2617 ex213, or write Jennifer@kzoolf.org.

Come celebrate our countrysindependence by encouraging our localchildrens independence from hunger.

Well see you at the ball game!

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Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforhoughtJune 20Page 3

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

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

June 2009 Coupon #71

Amount $

School is almost out and while many will be planning summer vacations - children thissummer will be experiencing a vacation from meals usually available through the school

based lunch program. Help feed children this summer by donating today.

Please send your contribution by June 24

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

July 2009 Coupon #72

Amount $

By donating this month, you have connected peopleto the emergency food resources they need.

Thank you for making a difference!

Please send your contribution by July 22

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes

Annual Meeting was held onApril 20, at Calvary Bible Church.

It was a festive event with food, theatre,and thank yous for many.

After a lovely potluck-style dinner,volunteers, board, and staff enjoyed abrief skit from Kalamazoo Central HighSchool students, as they portrayed thefable of Stone Soup. The story describeda community of individuals comingtogether as one so that no one goeshungry; something that volunteers, staff,and board members know all too well.

Time was taken during the ofcial

business portion of the night to

say goodbye to two long time BoardMembers, Jan Brown (former KLF BoardChair) and George Erickcek . Both havebeen an invaluable part of the overallboard team and will be missed greatly.

In addition, outgoing Board Chair, SamLealo, was elected to a one year term.

Lynn Jessel (Board Treasurer) andMaija Petersons (Board Secretary) wereelected for an additional 3 year term onthe Board of Directors. No additional

members were nominated at this time.We also took time that evening torecognize some very importantcontributors without whom we would notbe able to continue this important work.

2009 Annual Meeting

Willie Webster Volunteer Award Norman Copel

KLF FISH Award (foodindustrysupplyhero) Konos, Inc. (VandeBunte EMarcia Jackson Hunger Advocacy AwardNational Association of Letter Carriers Local

Golden Loaf Individual Award Jim and Heather Bu

Golden Loaf Group Award Amy Wright, owner and manager of Rollerw

KLF also honored volunteers with the Years of Service Awards, celebrating 5, 10,20, 25 years of service. Details regarding all of the evenings awards can be found onthe Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes Web site: www.kzoolf.org.

Congratulations to all recipients! Your time and dedication is integral to the success this organization.

As you are filling yourshopping cart, pleaseconsider contributing

some of these wishlist items:

June: Main Meal Dishes

(ravioli w/cheese, spaghetti

w/meat, pork and beans, and

beef stew)

July: Canned Fruit (all varieties)

All in the Fami

Mary Jo Robertson

(center) is

surrounded by

children and

grandchildren, all

of whom voluntee

with her at the

North Westnedge

Church of Christ.

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FoodforhoughtJune 2009 Page

Celebrations The following gifts were received between March 7 through May 4, 2009. If your gift arrived after May 4, it willappear in the next newsletter.

Gifts in honor of:Jerry and Judy Bohl Mark Crum Margery K. Deruyter-Smith Jean Flowers Birthday Mike Garrett s Birthday

Josh Gies 30th Birthday Missy, Angie, and Chase Howse-Willard Carol and Bob Knapps 51st Anniversary Ruth Lando

Bill Matthies Nancy McCarry Jim McDonalds 75th Birthday Rhonda Newman Helen Norris Pat Pond Victor Semers

Judi Silverman Peggy Strongs Birthday Alma and Harold VanHeuvelens Birthdays Joe Walls Birthday

Gifts in memory of:Robert C. Anderson Harold Bahlke Alex Beauchamp Jack Brooks Marjorie Brown Richard Burlington Bruce L. Burrows

Diane Churchill Dr. Arthur Dodd Code Melvin Deloof Peter Dondero Leonard Elliot Jeanne Maltby Fahrenbach

John P. Flynn John Foghino Barbara Frank Vi French Harriet (Betty) Gilchrist Mrs. Helen Graham Don Janson Sylvia Jo

Adli S. Kanaan Vida Marie Kinner Tom Klobucar Wesley & Edna Marie Knapp Marguerite Kolb Bela Lahner John Lindbe

Maxine Louden Barney J. Magerlein Mary Jane Maher Robert A. Matthews Kathy Mizeur Thomas Oorbeck Rand PattersLinda Ream Milo and Frances Rifenberg Wayne Roe Fred R. Russell John Sandmeyer Maurice Schippers Bill Schneide

Michaela Schultz Edward Schumann Joani Siwik Betty Smith Dixie Lee Stewart Andrew and Winnie Truax Marta Tumm O

Vanderberg Albert E. Vickery Geraldine Vickery Willie Earl Webster Wally Westra James Daniel Wrinkle Henry Yzenbaa

Helene Rose Zimmick Helena Zwart

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:lCompassion lRespect

lJusticel Integrity

lAdvocacy

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, Com/Dev Coordinator Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator Marv King, Food Director Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director Shelley Markle, Warehouse Assistant Sue VanderMeer, Call Center Team Leader