June 2009
FoodforThought
Inside This Issue
The 2009 NALC Food Drive
“Independence from Hunger”
Passion for Community
KLF Annual Meeting 2009
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.
OUR GOAL:
Your ongoing support is
important to KLF. It’s
never too soon to think
about Planned Giving.
See wwww.kzoolf.org for
more information.
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
Stretching into Summer
2
2 W ith summer just around
the corner I’m sure your
mind, just like mine, has
begun to daydream about juicy
2 watermelon and potato salad. As
the weather warms most of us
3 June, July and August alone our
begin to think of fresh fruits and
vegetables, picnics and outdoor
barbeques – good food is an
integral part of summer. For
many children, however, summer
is a time of missed meals and
empty bellies. Families that rely
on receiving school meals during
the year to feed their child find
their budgets stretched over the
long months of summer vacation.
With the kids out of school and
two extra meals to put on the table
during the week – what are these
families to do?
One piece of good news – the
Federal Summer Feeding Program
will again be offering 6 weeks’
worth of meals at sites across the
country. This program targets
those children who receive free
and reduced lunch during the
school year and will again provide
a healthy lunch at sites across this
community. While this program is
essential, it does not have nearly
the impact of the school year
based program. It can’t. Unlike the
school year programs, the summer
food program isn’t available
through routine attendance at
school. Children and their families
need to seek out the community-
based sites and not all have the
time or information they need to
take advantage of the program.
So even with the support of this
program, the summer still has a
large impact on the nutritional
security of local families and on
KLF.
Each summer we see a large
increase in our service numbers.
In 2008, during the months of
Grocery Pantry Program served
8,275 children. This year, across
Michigan economic woes have
already led to a 30 percent spike
in the number of people applying
for food assistance and seeking
out emergency aid from food
banks. At Loaves & Fishes we
have also seen our number grow.
One day recently the Grocery
Pantry Program set up food for
277 children and young people.
They were nearly 50% of the total
people receiving groceries that day.
And, the thing is, it is only April.
This summer, due to the strain of
a struggling economy we know
there are many families who would
not traditionally need help that
will now be turning to Loaves &
Fishes.
Eyeing these trends, we expect the
customary increase in the number
of families and children served
to be even greater this year. We
are hard at work bolstering our
already strained system to stretch
in to the summer months – but
we need your help. Please join us
as we prepare to step in to help
struggling families this summer –
donate what you can today. Your
donation can ensure that even
when the shelves are bare at home,
those in need can always find fully
stocked shelves at Kalamazoo
Loaves & Fishes.
– Anne
 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–June 2009 Page 2

The 2009 Letter Carrier Food Drive was a Huge Success

On May 9, people from all over this community contributed non-
perishable food donations in honor of the 17th Annual National
Association of Letter Carrier Food Drive. Bags, boxes, and individual
cans were set outside doors across the county in support of local food
banks and pantries.
More than 84,000 lbs of food was collected and delivered to
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to be used to feed hungry people across
Kalamazoo County!
Thanks to volunteers, KLF board and staff, and most of all,
NALC - Local 246 for dedicating time and energy that day to helping
collect food that will benefit hungry people in Kalamazoo County.
For the follow-up to this year’s NALC Food Drive, please go to
www.kzoolf.org.

Help Feed Hungry Children with

“Independence From Hunger”

O n July 3rd, 2009, the

Kalamazoo Kings will host the
3rd Annual “Independence
from Hunger” food and fundraiser,
during their 7 pm game against the
Washington Wild Things, with benefits
going to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
This year, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
and the Kalamazoo Kings are focusing
on childhood hunger. Without access
to low or no-cost school-based lunches,
many children will go without meals
during the summer months. Here is
how you can help! Tickets for this
event will be sold through Kalamazoo
Loaves & Fishes for $5, with 50% of
those proceeds coming back to fund the
necessary programs that help feed kids
in our community.
In addition, a food collection site will
be set up outside the main gates prior to
and during the first inning of the Kings’
game. If you bring 4 non-perishable
food items with you that night – your
ticket will be FREE. It’s a great family
event to share with one another and a
great way to help kids!
If you’d like to help Loaves & Fishes
sell tickets in advance or would like to
know more about the much needed food
drive items, please call 269-488-2617 ext.
213, or write Jennifer@kzoolf.org.
Come celebrate our country’s
independence by encouraging our local
children’s “independence from hunger.”
We’ll see you at the ball game!

Passion for Community

T he Grainger Foundation, based upon the recommendation of the

local Grainger Branch Manager, Carol Hurley, donated $10,000 to
the Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes in April.
“Grainger is proud to be supporting Loaves & Fishes…. Grainger, much
like Loaves & Fishes, is passionate about being ready to serve our local
community in [this] time of need,” said Carol Hurley, Branch Manager
of Grainger’s Kalamazoo facility. “Our local team wanted to make an
immediate 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 allow
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to purchase the equivalent of two and a
half semi trucks worth of food that can be distributed through the KLF
Grocery Pantry Program.
Donations like these are more important than ever since rising numbers of people in our local community are struggling to make
ends meet. Students, workers seeking jobs, and senior citizens are a part of the growing number of people requesting emergency
food assistance each week.
If you would like to know how your business can contribute funds to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, please contact Anne Wend
Lipsey, at 269-488-2617 ext. 208.

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

Page 3 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–June 2009

2009 Annual Meeting

K alamazoo Loaves & Fishes

Annual Meeting was held on
April 20, at Calvary Bible Church.
It was a festive event with food, theatre,
and thank you’s for many.
After a lovely potluck-style dinner,
volunteers, board, and staff enjoyed a
brief skit from Kalamazoo Central High
School students, as they portrayed the
fable of Stone Soup. The story described
a community of individuals coming
together as one so that no one goes
hungry; something that volunteers, staff,
and board members know all too well.
Time was taken during the official
“business” portion of the night to
say goodbye to two long time Board
Members, Jan Brown (former KLF Board
Chair) and George Erickcek . Both have
been an invaluable part of the overall
board “team” and will be missed greatly.
In addition, outgoing Board Chair, Sam
Lealofi, was elected to a one year term.
Lynn Jessel (Board Treasurer) and
Maija Petersons (Board Secretary) were
elected for an additional 3 year term on
the Board of Directors. No additional
members were nominated at this time.
We also took time that evening to
recognize some very important
contributors without whom we would not
be able to continue this important work.
As you are filling your
shopping cart, please
consider contributing
some of these “wish
list” 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 Family
Mary Jo Robertson
(center) is
surrounded by
children and
grandchildren, all
of whom volunteer
with her at the
North Westnedge
Church of Christ.
Willie Webster Volunteer Award Norman Copeland
KLF FISH Award (food industry supply hero) Konos, Inc. (VandeBunte Eggs)
Marcia Jackson Hunger Advocacy Award National Association of Letter Carriers– Local 246
Golden Loaf Individual Award Jim and Heather Butcher
Golden Loaf Group Award Amy Wright, owner and manager of Rollerworld
KLF also honored volunteers with the “Years of Service Awards,” celebrating 5, 10, 15,
20, 25 years of service. Details regarding all of the evening’s awards can be found on
the Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes Web site: www.kzoolf.org.
Congratulations to all recipients! Your time and dedication is integral to the success of
this organization.
KLF June Giving Coupon
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
June 2009 – Coupon #71
Amount $
School is almost out and while many will be planning summer vacations - children this
summer 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 Coupon
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
July 2009 – Coupon #72
Amount $
By donating this month, you have connected people
to the emergency food resources they need.
Thank you for making a difference!

Please send your contribution by July 22

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

 FoodforThought–June 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 The following gifts were received between March 7 through May 4, 2009. If your gift arrived after May 4, it will
appear in the next newsletter.

Gifts in honor of:

Jerry and Judy Bohl • Mark Crum • Margery K. Deruyter-Smith • Jean Flower’s Birthday • Mike Garrett’s Birthday
Josh Gies 30th Birthday • Missy, Angie, and Chase Howse-Willard • Carol and Bob Knapp’s 51st Anniversary • Ruth Lando
Bill Matthies • Nancy McCarry • Jim McDonald’s 75th Birthday • Rhonda Newman • Helen Norris • Pat Pond • Victor Semers
Judi Silverman • Peggy Strong’s Birthday • Alma and Harold VanHeuvelen’s 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 Jones
Adli S. Kanaan • Vida Marie Kinner • Tom Klobucar • Wesley & Edna Marie Knapp • Marguerite Kolb • Bela Lahner • John Lindbeck
Maxine Louden • Barney J. Magerlein • Mary Jane Maher • Robert A. Matthews • Kathy Mizeur • Thomas Oorbeck • Rand Patterson
Linda Ream • Milo and Frances Rifenberg • Wayne Roe • Fred R. Russell • John Sandmeyer • Maurice Schippers • Bill Schneider
Michaela Schultz • Edward Schumann • Joani Siwik • Betty Smith • Dixie Lee Stewart • Andrew and Winnie Truax • Marta Tumm • Olin
Vanderberg • Albert E. Vickery • Geraldine Vickery • Willie Earl Webster • Wally Westra • James Daniel Wrinkle • Henry Yzenbaard
Helene Rose Zimmick • Helena Zwart

Board of Directors Staff/Business Office 269.488.2617 ext.

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