April 2009
FoodforThought
Inside This Issue
Film and a Food Drive
Hunger Moon Soup Kitchen
Food of the Month
Operation Dough-nation
KLF Annual Meeting 2009
The 2009 NALC Food Drive
Fast Fact:
The FACT is KLF can procure
some food items for less.
At wholesale prices…
A box of cereal is $.09
A dozen eggs is $.33
A jar of spaghetti sauce is $.50
Create purchasing power by
donating food dollars today.
OUR GOAL:
Food Security—
Access by all people
to enough food for an
active, healthy life—
every day.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
913 E Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Business: 269.488.2617 / Fax: 269.343.3669
Food: 269.343-3663 / Email: info@kzoolf.org
Website: kzoolf.org
The Other Piece of the Story
2
2 I n a previous issue, I wrote
about the balancing act that is
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes -
the combination of food and time
2 and dollars that together allows this
organization to make emergency
2
groceries available throughout
2 Kalamazoo County.
3 Another piece of the story is the
way in which that combination of
resources is making a difference
in the lives of real people in our
communities. Today, the struggles
of our friends and neighbors are
present in our lives as never before
– the news brings them in to our
homes in reports of layoffs and
rising poverty numbers. We have
been especially affected here in
Michigan, where our unemployment
rate outpaces every other state in
the nation. Despite our awareness
of these struggles, the face of
those in need can still be surprising.
The economic ripple effect has
touched lives indiscriminately –
across all divisions of job sector,
age, education or race people find
themselves in new territory. Most
never expected to be challenged by
something which had once been
so simple - providing food for
themselves and their family.
Fortunately your dollars and time
and food are there to help when
it is most needed. Kalamazoo
Loaves & Fishes is actively making
a difference in the lives of people
here in Kalamazoo County. Here are
two recent stories:
I lost my middle management job in
December. I immediately applied for
unemployment benefits thinking that
would help me get through. It is now
February and I have yet to receive my
first check. I have a wife and three
kids, a mortgage and two car payments.
We’ve given up our newspaper, our cable
service, and our cell phones, and I’m still
struggling to put food on the table. I never
imagined being in this position – ever. I
didn’t know what Kalamazoo Loaves
& Fishes was until December when my
pastor told me. Now I’m accepting your
food. At first, it made me ashamed that
we needed someone else’s help. Now, I’m
just grateful you were here when we needed
you most.
My husband and I recently received food
from Loaves & Fishes for the first time.
We’ve been retired for several years and
recently moved in my mother because she
could not take care of herself anymore.
She needs constant help getting around
requires multiple medications each month
that use up all of our Social Security and
the small amount from our retirement. In
November, we realized that we would
have to choose to either buy food or the
medication that keeps my mother going.
I knew about Loaves & Fishes because
my husband and I have donated what we
can for years. Now, it seems, we’re on the
other end of it. I know we wouldn’t be
able to survive without the extra groceries
each month. I choose things from the
pantry that I can make stretch longer like
rice, beans, and tomato paste. I choose
carefully knowing that I purchase less now
and need to make what I have last.
It took contributions of food and
volunteer time coordinated with
staff effort and dollars to make sure
that the right food was at the right
place for each of these people when
they needed it most. Thank you for
letting us successfully tell the “other
piece of the story.”
– Anne
 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–April 2009
Did you know?
Panera Bread’s Operation
Dough-nation provides a
way for patrons to make
contributions directly to
KLF! The next time you
stop in for bread or a meal,
look for the collection box and donate
today.
Wish List Food of the Month
Please consider shopping for and
donating the following “wish list” food
items:
zz April: Canned Spaghetti Sauce
zz May: 100% Fruit Juice
Hunger Moon Soup Kitchen
Raises Awareness and Funds
I n Native American tradition, the
full moon in February is called
the Hunger Moon. It occurs when
food supplies are scant and villages
face starvation and bitter cold. Blue
Tigers, the community service wing of
the Kalamazoo County Democratic
Party, devoted the whole month of
February to raising awareness of the
urgent issue of hunger in our midst
and, at the same time, raising funds for
Loaves & Fishes.
The model was simple. Let people
know about the growing extent of
hunger and how Loaves & Fishes helps.
Invite them for a hot and hearty bowl
of soup on a cold winter’s night and
give them an opportunity to be of
service.
“The response was awesome,”
according to KCDP Volunteer
Committee Chair Laurie Terlesky,
“Kalamazoo people are just so
generous. When they realize that the
913 E Alcott, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001 / P: 269.488.2617 / F: 269.343.3669 / E: info@kzoolf.org / W: kzoolf.org
need in Kalamazoo County went up
46% in 2008 - and that was LAST year
- people wanted to help.”
Checks written to Loaves & Fishes
poured in to KCDP to count toward
meeting the challenge grant pledged
by an anonymous donor. A prayer
group, a parish church, someone’s out
of town guest, plus individuals and
many, many people who hosted and
attended home soup kitchen events all
contributed to the community effort.
As the month-end fundraiser tally was
completed, KCDP Chariperson Dave
Pawloski announced, “We are happy to
say that we surpassed the $5000 mark
and, counting the $5000 challenge
grant, have donated a total $13,351.”
Thank you KCDP Blue Tigers and
all of the participants of the Hunger
Moon Soup Kitchen. Your generosity
has helped KLF through the sparse
winter and into what we hope will be a
more hopeful spring and summer.
Page 2
You’re invited
to the 2009 KLF
Annual Meeting
& Volunteer Potluck
T
he Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
2009 Annual Meeting and
Volunteer Potluck is Monday,
April 20, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:00pm.
This year’s event will be held at a new
location, Calvary Bible Church at 855 S.
Drake Road, which is also a new KLF
pantry site.
You’ll have the opportunity to mingle
with other volunteers, board members,
and staff, and get to enjoy all of the
great food. Volunteers who have
served more than five years will be
formally recognized, and special
service awards will be distributed.
There will also be a brief business
meeting to elect new board members.
All attendees are asked to please bring
a dish to pass; KLF will provide all
tableware and beverages.
If you plan to attend or just need
more information, RSVP to Hannah
at 488-2617, ext. 209, or email
Hannah@kzoolf.org, by April 13, 2009.
Page 3
National Association of Letter Carrier’s Food Drive
“Let’s Break ALL the Records!”
O n May 9th, the National
Association of Letter Carriers
(NALC) will hold its 17th
Annual Letter Carrier Food Drive.
Last year, Letter Carriers collected an
amazing 100,000 lbs of food for this
region of Southwest Michigan. That
number is only surpassed by the 2004
collection amount of 110,000 lbs. This
year, at a time when it’s never been
needed more, we need your help to
break all the records!
There are several ways you can help.
Please fill a box or bag with food
and set it out for your letter carrier
on May 9th. In some areas, the
week before the event your letter
carrier will be dropping off a paper
collection bag donated by generous
local vendors along with the usual
NALC reminder postcard. Tell your
friends and neighbors to fill their
bags with nonperishable food items
and set them out for collection.
If participation on May 9 is not
possible, hold a food collection
before the event through your work,
at your local apartment complex, or
through your social group. Deliver
the food items collected to the
913 E Alcott, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001 / P: 269.488.2617 / F: 269.343.3669 / E: info@kzoolf.org / W: kzoolf.org
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–April 2009
KLF warehouse
the week before
or after the event
and it will still
count toward our
ultimate goal.
One last way to
stay connected
to this event and
see the power of
the community
coming together
is to volunteer to
sort food on May
9th at a collection
site or at the KLF warehouse during As you are filling your
the weeks that follow the event. If donation bag, consider
you’re interested or have questions, contributing some of these
please call the KLF Volunteer “wish list” items: beef stew,
Coordinator at 269-488-2617 ravioli with meat sauce,
ext. 209. macaroni and cheese, canned
meat, hearty soups, rice, pasta,
Even just one extra canned good per 100% fruit juice, apple sauce,
household can make a difference this canned spaghetti sauce, canned
year. Put us on your calendar and vegetables and fruit, and
help KLF “break all the records!” canned potatoes.
KLF April Giving Coupon
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
April 2009 – Coupon #69
Amount $
Each year the Feinstein Foundation donates $1 million to hundreds of organizations that
help fight hunger in this country. Please donate to KLF between now and April 30th and
your donations will count toward the Feinstein Foundation $1 Million Challenge (go to
www.kzoolf.org for more information).
Please send your contribution by April 24
KLF May Giving Coupon
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
May 2009 – Coupon #70
Amount $
If you aren’t able to contribute canned goods to the NALC Food Drive, contribute
dollars instead. Send KLF your contribution this month in honor of the NALC
community-wide food collection and make a difference in local people’s lives today.
Please send your contribution by May 22
 FoodforThought–April 2009 Page 4

Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Kalamazoo, MI
Permit No. 1693
913 E Alcott
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Business Phone: 269.488.2617

Food Request Line: 269.343.3663
Fax: 269.343.3669
Email: info@kzoolf.org
Website: kzoolf.org

OUR MISSION:
To expand the availability of
emergency food resources and
promote the ability of hungry
people to feed themselves.

OUR VALUES:
l Compassion l Respect
l Justice l Integrity
l Advocacy

Celebrations Thank you to all who honored loved ones with gifts to KLF. The following gifts were received between January 10 through March 6, 2009.
If your gift arrived after March 6, it will appear in the next newsletter.

Gifts in honor of:

Silvis Aladjem • Laura Benge • John and Leora Bowden • Pumpkin Bozich • David Brown • Douglas and Amy Brown • Lisa and Barry Brown • Lisa and Drew Buskirk • B.W. Challis • Jean Chrestie • Walter Davis
Michael Deeb • Susan Dennis • Tom Dent and Suzi Vandenberg Dent • Scott Devries • Gerald and Nancy Diment • Bob Dimond • Dr. and Mrs. Marc Downing • Kim Eagle • Scott Ellard • Dr. Thomas Fillar DDS
Ken Fisher • John Flower • John and Carol Frittschuh • Mike Gagleard • Warren Garner and Vicki Mark • Ben Garvey • Charlotte Geddes • Mrs and Mrs. Bruce Gelbaugh • Jim and Linda Gregad • John & Kay Haas
Josh Hall • Mary and Rick Halpert • Dave Halpert • Mike Halpert • Rosalie Halpert • Karen Hassevoort • Msnr. Michael Hazard • Brad and Autumn Hearon • Carol Hodges• Jennifer Johnson • Azzam Kanaan
Shadia Kanaan • Tom & Susan Kavanaugh • Sue Keltsch’s • John R. Kubla • Chris LaForge • Dave and Cathy LaForge • James LaForge • Matthew LaForge and Rebecca Inscoe • Steve and Marian LaForge • Sue
Lake Maxine Lester • Rob and Kim Mansfield • Louis Marvin • Jim Marwuardt • Melissa McDonald • Al Messinger • David Milko • Jerry Miller • Laura and Will Moss • Michael Nane • Frank Newman • Steve Nitsch
Tyler and Jen Norman • President and Mrs. Barack Obama • Scott and Robin Oberle • Jai Prasad • Rich & Heather Provost • Steve and Kathy Rhodis • Charles Ritter • Eloise Robinson • Sarah Sandell • Scott Sawusch
• Michaela Schultz • David, Carla, and Emily Sexton • Gary and Sue Sexton • Russ and Leah Sexton • Edna Short • Margaret Simmons • Dave and Jill Sluyter • Eris Smith
Harvey Spivak • James Stanley • Margaret Sydlaske • Mike Sydlaske • Sam and Pat Taylor • The Holysko Family • Ken & Kathy VanderBroek • Todd VanderMeer • Don and Beverly VanLandegent • Dr & Mrs. Vemuri
Steve and Debbie Weston • Frank Willis • Donald Wisser • Doug Wonderly • Tom and Paula Wuori • Deborah and Bart Yearly • Lew Zemlick • Jake & Marian Zuidema

Gifts in memory of:

Robert C. Anderson • Harold Bahlke • Violet Borden • David Alan Borst • Mariam Bradfield • Patricia Brady • Neil Brand • Len Bridge • Ethel Brock • Leighton Brown • Thomas N. Brucks • Roy H. Buckley
Richard Burlington • Bruce L. Burrows • Mitchell Butler • Anne Calloway • Daniel Caswell • Alex Cazers • Marie Cease • Lewis Chapin • Jim Corkey • Mary Coscarelly • Richard Cottrell • Beatrice Cox
Aaron Dickerman • Evan Ebling • Agnes Farraye • John P. Flynn • Barbara Frank • Carilee Galligan • Jack Gibson • Alfreds and Mirdza Gramatins • Arlene Gray • Ruby Gumm • Everett Hassing • Valerie Humpley
Clarence David Ikerd • Jan and Tim • Anna A. Johnson • Mike Johnson • Sylvia Jones • Paul Kean • Rev. Sue Kemp • Tom Klobucar • Marguerite Kolb • Barney J. Magerlein • Kathy Mizeur • Dr. Howard Mowen
Helena Nodel • Frank Ossiff Jr. • Rosetta Packard • Sister M. Paschalita • Ardie Peet • Albert Pepin • Kaylan Rantz • Catherine Reed • Dr. Frank Sassamon • Claudia Heersma Schrock • Laura Sikkenga • Joani Siwik
Dolores Smith • Joe Soda • Jimmy Steele • Marie Stoline’s Mom • June Taylor • Lawrence Tinkey • Cathy Townsend • Anthony VanDenBerg • Rev. Dewey VanDenBerg • Sandy VanderBor • John C. Veld
Albert E. Vickery • Roon Visser • Ronna Vogler • Marian Vorce • Steven Waldo • Mr and Mrs Hobert Watson • Marjorie Wisser • Wojdyla Deceased Family Members • Henry Yzenbaard

Board of Directors Staff/Business Office 269.488.2617 ext.

Jan Brown Chris Kenney Dick Anson, Warehouse Assistant 211 Jennifer Johnson, Com/Dev Coordinator 213
Leatta Byrd Cheryl Knapp Art Cole, Services Director 207 Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator 214
Patricia Carlin Sam Lealofi George Geissel, Bookkeeper 206 Marv King, Food Director 211
George Erickcek Donna McClurkan Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director 212 Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director 208
Robert Ezelle Harvey Myers Phyllis Hepp, Project Planner 210 Shelley Markle, Warehouse Assistant 211
Bruce Gelbaugh Helen Norris Lou Hoekstra, Warehouse Assistant 211 Sue VanderMeer, Call Center Team Leader 209
Martin Glista Maija Petersons
Lynn Jessel Martha Simpson