INSIDE

Run Through the Lights Stuff the Bus food drive with K Central Young donor gives back College student inspired by KLFs service Sisters nominated for state-wide award Thank you local faith groups DECEMBER 2013

Fast Facts

OFFERING HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

As the holidays approach and we inch closer to another new year, certain aspects of our work come into focus for us at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes. Once again, we will see our annual service numbers hit a record high, underscoring the ever-present need for food in our neighborhoods. This communitys gracious desire to give back to local residents in need is never more apparent than during this festive time of the year. Whether you give back your time by volunteering, donating funds or holding a holiday food drive, you are making a difference. One of the things I like best about the work we do is that, together, we are able to accomplish amazing things every single dayvictories, big and small, that a single individual or organization would be hard pressed to realize alone. On the surface, these accomplishments seem to defy logic, but we at KLF have learned to never underestimate what a compassionate and unified community can achieve. As you read our December Food for Thought newsletter, we hope you will find inspiration and opportunities to continue helping us change lives, and a deeper appreciation for just how incredible the service that you help us provide on a daily basis is. Because of you, we are able to not only offer food to those who need it most in our county, but also dignity and hope. Whether it is through raising friends and funds at the Run Through the Lights event or feeling humbled by the story of a young donor, this work is always about the ways in whichtogetherwe are building a hunger-free community. I also have to admit that things are not always easy, and there are days where certain roadblocks seem too daunting to overcome. For example, this fall weve seen the impact of the extra challenge of automatic reductions in the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, which will certainly cause another spike in food assistance need throughout Kalamazoo County. But on those overwhelming days, I take heart from a quote like this: The best way not to feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Dont wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you fill the world with hope, and you will fill yourself with hope. Barak Obama. I want to thank you, one and all, for the ways that you fill the world with hope everyday. Thank you for growing and harvesting fresh produce to share with those in need. Thank you for canned goods collections at schools and work and, yes, at holiday parades. Thank you for entrusting us with your time and talents. Thank you for sharing so generously your treasure.

Did you know local farms donate fresh produce to KLF? This fall alone, one of our many local supporters donated more than 35,000 lbs. to help feed our community.

KLFs warehouse distributed an average of 52,808 lbs. of food per week in the month of October.

COMING SOON:
Bells Brewery Snow Jog Adventure Race & Challenge on January 11. Run for fun and donate food and funds to help Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes many programs. For more details, visit www.bellsbeer.com or www.kzoolf.org.

Stuff the

RUN THROUGH THE LIGHTS

Gazelle Sports and Kalamazoo Area Runners are proud to host the 2013 Run Through the Lights fun run benefiting Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes! The electrifying annual race, which is presented by Maple Hill Auto Group, takes place in downtown Kalamazoo on Thursday, Dec. 5 and starts in front of Gazelle Sports storefront at 6:30 p.m. While the race is the main event, there will be plenty of attractions before the starting gun and after the finish line. In addition to a live remote broadcast from 103.3 WKFR, plenty of

fantastic door prizes will be offeredincluding gift cards to a variety of local establishments and refreshments and snacks will be served after the race. New this year, all race participants will receive 25% off food orders at Old Dog Tavern the night of the race (with a coupon that will be provided before the race.) Event is $10 for adults 13 years and older and free for children 12 years and under that preregister by noon on Dec. 5. Late registration at the event is $15 for adults 13 years and older and free for children 12 years and under. Commemorative race shirts will be sold in Gazelle Sports Kalamazoo store in the days leading up to the racethey went fast last year, so make sure to check in and scoop one up while they are still available. In the spirit of giving, there will also be an opportunity to help change lives during the festivitiesKLF will have representatives on-site to collect

o Centra a la ma z l oo Cen tra l stu a n nu a l d e S n ts a re h tu ff the the Ha old ing Bus fo rd ings their od d riv F riend West M e Dec. ly Ma rk ain in K 14 at et pa rk a la ma z ing lot oo from on 10 a.m he a n n . - .2 p.m u a l eve . nt raise last ye d nea rly a r, so s donatio top by, 5,0 0 0 lb ns to he a nd s h s. op a n d lp thes studen d r op e ts beat c o m mu that a m n it y- co studen ou nt. K nsciou ts! a la ma z s oo Cen tra l

Bus with

Kalamaz o

non-perishable or canned-food items and monetary donations. Not only is this a night of fun, but a night of giving back to our community! Last year, nearly 1,200 runners registered and more than 1,800 lbs. of food were donated. Join in and help us top those total and make this the biggest Run through the Lights yet! For more information on the race or how to register as a runner or volunteer, visit http:// www.gazellesports. com/info/97RunThroughtheLights.html or search for Run through the Lights on Facebook. Run through the lights to help feed your neighbors in need

2013 Run Through the Lights Sponsors

Alamo Draft House Bravo Brooks Garden Gate Cafe Gun River Conservation Club Hardings Friendly Market Life EMS Ambulance Koffee Clutch (Galesburg) Kalamazoo Mud Run Meijer OptiMed Pharmacy Papas Italian Sausage Red Mango Roller World Ship-Pac Summer Thyme The Canopeum Town and Country WalMart Woodwards Garage

Charles* is a local child who began benefitting from our Weekend Food Pack Program during the 2013-14 school yearand also provided us with a touching story of generosity, which was relayed to KLF by a Community in Schools (CIS) site coordinator. Every Friday afternoon during the school year, Charles receives a pack of food with enough supplemental food to bridge the weekend gap when free or reduced-price school lunches are not available. One particular Friday his eagerness to get his bag food was outweighed the opportunity to help other local kids by contributing to a food drive being held by his elementary school When Friday afternoon arrived, Charles, with enthusiasm in his eyes, offered to give his entire weekends worth of food to others struggling with food insecurity. His reasoning? He knew what it was like to be hungry. Taken aback by this show of generosity, the CIS coordinator suggested that, instead, he donate just one item and keep the rest for his own weekend meals. Charles was ecstatic with the idea, so he parted with the one item and left school that day with both food for the weekend and the satisfaction of helping his neighbors in need. When the CIS worker returned to her office, she shared the story with a co-worker.

LOCAL CHILD PROVES THAT EVERY BIT COUNTS

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is about feeding hungry people, but also about dignity, her coworker said. Your donations make a difference for children like Charles. Do you have a similar story to share with KLF? We would love to hear it. Contact our Communications Coordinator Kevin Minor at kevin@kzoolf.org *Name changed for anonymity

DONATE TO KLFs ANNUAL CAmPAIgN

alamazoo Loaves & Fishes Until Everyone has a Place at the Table annual campaign is in full swing. In helping us reach our goal of $325,000 this year, you are not only ensuring valuable food support for our community such as milk vouchers, produce from local farms, and high-protein itemsbut your donations also help KLF cover critical operational costs.

AREA STUDENT INSPIRED TO GIVE BACK

bills piling up, securing enough food appeared to be a question without an answer. That is when a conversation with a stranger provided a solution. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes came up, Tanya recalled. I had never heard of the organization before, but I quickly realized that it could help me get through this difficult stretch. Tanya called KLFs Need Food hotline the following morning, and was set up with a same-day appointment at a nearby pantry where she received enough food to help her get to payday. E GIV ight Y It made a difference, L ef Im P S nd t h y a she said. All I had in my R F KL JE impl Ja n . refrigerator was baloney and y MEI tribute $10 teor with a S b rd ng n ca er on u j o e i i noodles, and I was running out h t g e t a d e ns lM d on ag a i loca S. Westn o ijer e e of baloney. e r t M h 1 G iv e o n e o f t , 512 r.com It was amazing, I dont Road or Meije onated by l l p u o t st s 0 0 G n St . be d te $1 u l 8 J know what I would have l 5 i . i 4 u w . Ma that nt r i b t ion s done without it. lo c a r 6 6 6 0 W g i f t c a r d r w i l l c o y f o o d an je 0 ,o Ave ase a $1 ion , Mei g the m For Tanya, the entire n t h i o c ad d pu r e a m t ie s . n t experience, including I u . b F i ri The future of a community is heavily dependent on the development of its youth, and your kind-heartedness helps fuel the minds of Kalamazoo Countys next generation. Tanya* is a standout student at a local university but, although it may have not been readily apparent to her classmates and professors, she was recently tested by food insecurity. Facing weeks before her first paycheck after starting a new job and with school the pantry volunteers, received an A+ grade. You could tell they all had the heart to help, she said, exuding a grateful happiness. They were so sweet, nice and helpfulI felt welcomed and never rushed. Everyone was wonderful, it was like talking to friends. I could tell that they truly cared. Her experience has inspired her to give back, and she contacted KLF to pledge her time through volunteer work. Loaves & Fishes helped me out so much, I just want to do my part so others going through tough times can get the same help that I did, she said. You can give back, too. Visit www.kzoolf.org for more information on how to donate food, funds or time. *Name changed for anonymity

mu n to K L n to d i s t r c om io l u l i o m in r ie s p a nt

Join the Loaves & Fishes Team!

Interested in helping Kalamazoo become a hunger-free community? Weve got a place for you! Attend an orientation meeting to get started. VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION DATES: Saturday, December 7 Saturday, January 11 Wednesday, January 22 We are also looking for groups! Volunteer with friends and have fun while giving back to your community. Sign up with our Volunteer Coordinator, Cherise Buchanan: 269/488-2617, ext. 209 or at cherise@kzoolf.org

SISTERS NOMINATED FOR BEACON OF LIGHT AWARD

With more than 450 individuals donating their time each week, it is not uncommon to see volunteers go above and beyond to help those around them. KLF recently recognized long-time contributors Shirley Bumgardner and Sharon Dickey by nominating them for the Beacon of Light award, a statewide honor from the Food Bank Council of Michigan to individuals that embody its mission of providing hope. The sisters, who have been volunteering with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes since 2007, use their diverse set of skills to help with special events, coordinate the mailing of this very newsletter, and repackage food in our cleanroom as a member of the Pasta Pals a group of volunteers who repackage up to 1,000 lbs. of food in a single afternoon. KLF congratulates Sharon and Shirley, and expresses sincere gratitude to all of the amazing members of our community that give back through volunteering. By helping answer phones, filling food orders and serving in our pantries, among countless other activities, you allow us to feed our neighborhoods and provide hope to those in need. If you or your group is interested in volunteering, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Cherise Buchanan at cherise@ kzoolf.org for information on how to sign up for one of our monthly volunteer orientations.

TIS THE SEASON ...

The holiday season is a time of warmth and giving. Already, KLF has received thousands of lbs. of donated food from countless food drives held throughout our county. Is your company, organization, faith institution or community group holding a holiday drive? Let us know! Contact our Communications Coordinator Kevin Minor at kevin@kzoolf.org. Not only can we maximize the effectiveness of your drive by promoting it with our website , but we can also help our warehouse prepare for your donations during this very busy time of year.

Sharon (left) and Shirley (right) have been volunteering at KLF since 2007

FOOD WISH LIST

December:
Canned meat

KLF DEcEmBER GIVINg COUPON

DECEMBER 2013 COUPON #125
AMOUNT $________________ I wish to remain anonymous. The spirit of giving is in the air! Help us give the gift of food and ensure that everyone in our community has a happy and healthy holiday season. Please send your contribution by December 20.

January:
Beef stew Foods high in protein (6 grams or more) are always needed in our warehouse, too.

KLF JANUARY GIVINg COUPON

JANUARY

2014

AMOUNT $________________

I wish to remain anonymous.

COUPON #126

Our New Years resolution is to continue to change lives in our community by providing one of the most basic needsfood. You can help us make a difference this year. Please send your contribution by January 17.

THANK YOU TO LOCAL FAITH ORGANIZATIONS FOR SUPPORTING KLF

In our Food for Thought newsletter, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes categorically recognizes some of our recent supporters. We want to take the time to say thank you to the many faith groups throughout the community who choose to support Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes with a gift. Wed especially like to thank our faith partners who operate as KLF food distribution sites for their dedication to our mission of feeding hungry people. These are the faith organizations that donated food or funds between 7/1/2012 and 6/30/2013.
Agape Christian Church Allen Chapel AME Church Anonymous Faith Bethany Reformed Church Bethlehem Baptist Church Centerpoint Centre Avenue Community Church of God Christian Assembly of God Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Church of God - Family Worship Center Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church Women United Community of Christ Church Community Orthodox Presbyterian Church Comstock Christian Reformed Church Comstock Church of Christ Congregation of Moses Congregational United Church of Christ Cooper Congregational Church First Baptist Church First Church of Christ, Scientist First Congregational Church First Presbyterian Church First United Methodist Church Fourth Episcopal District AME Church Fourth Reformed Church Friendship Baptist Church Grace Christian Reformed Church Greenwood Reformed Church Gull Lake United Methodist Church Heritage Christian Reformed Church Hope Reformed Church Immanuel Christian Reformed Church Immanuel Lutheran Church Indo American Cultural Center and Temple Kalamazoo Community Church Kalamazoo First Assembly of God Kalamazoo Islamic Center Knights of Columbus 9962 Knights of Columbus 6980 Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church LifeSpring United Methodist Church Lift Him Up Gospel Ministries Light & Life Wesleyan Church Lighthouse Community Church Live Life Church Lord of Life Lutheran Church Lutheran Church of The Savior Milwood Christian Reformed Church Milwood United Methodist Church National Christian Foundation West Michigan North Park Reformed Church North Presbyterian Church North Westnedge Church of Christ Northbridge Church Northeastern Baptist Church Northern Heights Christian Reformed Church Oakwood Bible Church Oshtemo United Methodist Church Oshtemo United Methodist Women Parchment Christian Reformed Church Parchment United Methodist Church Pathfinder Church Peoples Church Phoenix Community Church Pine Island Church Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church Portage United Church of Christ Prairie Edge Christian Reformed Church Presbyterian Women Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Radiant Church Richland Food Pantry Romence Road Food Pantry Schoolcraft United Methodist Church Second Christian Reformed Church Second Reformed Church Sisters of St. Joseph Skyridge Church of the Brethren St. Andrews Community Church St. Augustine Food Pantry St. Barnabas Episcopal Church St. Catherine of Siena St. Joseph Church St. Joseph Food Pantry St. Lukes Episcopal Church St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church St. Marys Catholic Church St. Michael Lutheran Church St. Michaels Lutheran Womens Missionary League St. Ritas Guild - St. John Bosco Parish St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish St. Timothy Episcopal Church Stockbridge United Methodist Church Sunnyside United Methodist Church Sunnyside United Methodist Women Temple Bnai Israel The Bridge The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints The Kalamazoo County Thrivent Board The Rock Church Third Christian Reformed Church Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Trinity Reformed Church Unitarian Universalist Community Church United General Baptist Church Unity Church of Kalamazoo Valley Family Church Vicksburg Assembly of God Vineyard Church of Kalamazoo West Oshtemo Baptist Church Westminster Presbyterian Church Westwood Christian Reformed Church Westwood Church of God Westwood United Methodist Church Zion Lutheran Church

Make Your Gift a Tribute

Looking to give a gift to a loved one that can change a life? How about the gift of food to our community. Consider making a donation this holiday season in honor or in memory of a loved one to support our anti-hunger programs. Your donation will help keep our pantry doors open and our shelves stocked, ensuring a happy and healthy holiday season for thousands of local families. Go to www.kzoolf.org/ donate to make an online contribution or include the name and address with your gift by mail.

Thank you to these groups for your support. Your spirit of giving creates a community where we help each other reach our full potential. Please contact us if you believe you were wrongfully omitted from this list. Write or call Laura Winther at 488-2617 ext. 206 or laura@kzoolf.org.

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

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry people and engage our community in the fight to end hunger.

Our Mission

Respect Diversity & Inclusion Stewardship & Accountability Integrity Collaboration Urgency Service

Our Values

TRIBUTES 9/1/2013 10/31/2013 Special thanks to those who honor friends and family through contributions to KLF.
Nina Baker Mrs. Rita Bratton Paul Buckman Art Cole Ron & Karon Crandall Virgil & Debra Crandall Barbara Van Dalen Jerry & Kathy DeBoer Rebecca Bour & Ryan Eichhorn Families affected by the government shutdown Joe & Dr. Sandra Gagie Ken & Lois Gernaat Dolores Heidanus George & Char

IN HONOR OF

Herzog Bill & Doris Inkster Jennifer Johnson Donna Keller Evan & Sharon Kokales Sandy & Anne Lipsey Harvey Myers New staff at KLF Helen Norris Ms. Melanie Perry Susan Pyke Rick & Becky Ramsey Dennis & Phyllis Rinke Martha Simpson Eva & Gene Stender Gayle Stephenson Mrs. Gerry Torian Mike Tyson Sandra VandenBerg Barbara Webber

Steve & Penny Wiley Martha Youngblood

W. Haydn Ambrose Charles Bailey Effie Bauer Gordon Bausman Jennifer Beam Christel Berry Neil Brand Michael Brockman Len Bridge Mary Bullock Richard Burnham Maxine Bushouse Robert Cauchy Donald Cavanaugh

IN MEMORY OF

Karen Cernik Patricia Coleman Helen E. Contessa Jimmy Cosby Tom Crooks John Dobbie Evan Ebling Keith Edmondson Jack Egberts Jack H. Fisher Margaret D. Guthaus Jennie Halbert Stephen D. Hall Theresa Hentschl Alice Hoenes Alice Hullhorst Marcia Jackson Janice Esther Jarrett Ruth Jones Helen G. Kelly Jeff Ketcham Marilyn Klepper

Marguerite Kolb Gail Kroske Lance Lambert Dean Lewis Rosalie Lewis Brad Lindsey Maxine Louden Linda Mary Renauld Lutz Colleen Magnan Philip Martinez Paul & Mildred Matyas Glenn Maycroft Don McBain Walter Lee McElvain Jr. Carole McGinnis Gerald McIntyre Gil McWethy Burnice Meyers Kathy Mizeur Carol Moore Matthew C.

Morgan Kenneth Moser Billy Motsinger Pamela Mudd Ruth Namenye Doris Nathan Jackie Nemedi Maxine ONeill Jaimie Oorbeck Frank Ossiff Jr. Ron Petroski Ardis Pierce Gerald L. Pochyla James Poolman D. Rama Robert Remynse Jessica Renauld Oswald & Alvina Renauld Dolores Rich Roy & Eloise Robinson Mary Roche Antonia H.

Rostami Art Scheffers Marilyn Schee Sophia Schinkell Carolyn Schlick Martin & Emma Schmitt Dr. Peter Schmitt Foster L Sherwood Jr. Bernard & Violet Shepard Phyllis Shoemaker Victor Siemers Bob Siwik Joani Siwik Francis L. Smith Tom Sonday Eva Stein Herb Stier Doug & Marie Renauld Stone Aarend & Verl Stoppelberg

Donald Swanson Pat Sweeney C. James & Winona Swope Susan Tinklenberg Bill Vall Lavern VanAvery Winifred VanderMeer Wilma Verhage Roon Visser Shirley Walter Ralph Wdowicki Harold Webb John, Barney & Florence Westra Barbara Winther Don & Ruth Wisser Carole Wright Johanna & Henry Yzenbaard
212 211 210 213 214 224 208 201 218 222 206

Board of Directors
Jack Abate Patricia Carlin Rob DeWit Bob Ezelle Martin Glista Alan Harbaugh Mike Henderson Sam Lealofi Robert Lohrmann Karen McPhail Harvey Myers Helen Norris Stacey Randolph Martha Ream Martha Simpson Jan Tiderington

Staff / Business Office

269/488-2617 Mary Adams, Finance Coordinator Joan Atwell, Call Center Lead Cherise Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator Paul Bushek, Warehouse Assistant Art Cole, Services Director Joe Cook, Warehouse Assistant Bob Dekker, Warehouse Assistant Joe Galaviz, Warehouse Assistant EXT. 222 201 209 211 207 211 211 211

Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director Dave Hafer, Warehouse Coordinator Phyllis Hepp, Organizational Development Director Jennifer Johnson, Resource Dev. & Public Relations Director Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator Marvin King, Warehouse Director Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director Ruth Matteson, Call Center Lead Kevin Minor, Communications Coordinator Carolyn Tyler, Operations Coordinator Laura Winther, Donor Database Coordinator