Coming Up

2014 Annual Campaign: Nourishing

CommunityYou can help Kalamazoo
Loaves & Fishes nourish our community
by contributing to our 2014 Annual
Campaign. Our largest fundraising
effort, it generates essential dollars for
our day-to-day operations.
To assist us in reaching our goal of
$325,000 through the campaign, please
consider a meaningful gift, which can be
made at at www.kzoolf.org/donate.
Run Through the
LightsJoin KLF,
Gazelle Sports
and Kalamazoo
Area Runners
for Run Through
the Lights on
Dec. 4 at 6:30
p.m.a fun run
through Kalamazoos beautifully festive
downtown. Proceeds from the event will
be donated to help fight hunger in our
community.
For more information, or to register,
visit www.gazellesports.com.
A NOTE FROM JENNIFER
By now, you have most likely read the numbers. Nearly 38,000 of our neighbors,
friends and family members struggle with hunger every day. But the numbers
dont truly reveal the
depth of the need for
food assistance in our
community. For so many
individuals, hunger is much
more than the howling
of an empty stomach
or weakness caused by
the lack of vital nutrients
needed to live a healthy
and active lifestyle.
The physical detriments
of under-nourishment
cannot be ignored, but
neither can the emotional strain caused when individuals and households are
unsure of when or from where breakfast, lunch or dinner will come. Should I pay
my rent with the last few dollars of my paycheck or buy food for my family? Do I eat
tonight, or go hungry again to ensure my children get enough nutrients to excel in school
tomorrow? Should I put food on my plate or in the bowl of my beloved pet? How am I
going to be able to pay for this unexpected medical bill and go grocery shopping this
week?
For far too many in our neighborhoods, these challenging questions must be
answered on a daily basis, and the physical and emotional toll can often times seem
insurmountable.
Nourishment is defned as food, or other substances, that are needed to promote
health and growth, but also as the act of fostering and developing, or actions taken to
keep an individual or community alive and maintained. Each and every day, KLF staf
and volunteers work tirelessly to provide food to the most vulnerable members of
Kalamazoo County. But we cant do it without you.
Your support helps nurture the mental and physical well-being of our
community. Every dollar, every action, every thought carries immense importance.
You are vital to our cause.
Thank you for your eforts to feed our neighbors in need and for working
together with our organization to nourish our community.
OCTOBER 2014
Hunger in
America 2014
Hunger in America 2014 is the sixth study in the Feeding
America (FA) series, conducted every four years to better
understand the needs of FA clients and its partner agencies.
The study is intended to provide data of use to partner
agencies, clients, the general public, other researchers and
policymakers to better support individuals that are facing
hunger.
KLF is constantly fghting an uphill battle to evolve
alongside the ever-changing face of hunger, and studies like
Hunger in America 2014 are an integral tool in these eforts.
For more information on the study and its fndings, please
visit www.kzoolf.org.
* Of the more than 2.3 million lbs. of food that was distributed
by Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes during its 2013/14 fscal year,
more than 20% was acquired from Feeding America via the
Food Bank of South Central Michigan (FBSCM) in Battle
Creek. FBSCM also played a key role in the collection of the
Hunger in America 2014 data.
CHERYLS STORY
Cheryl* is a single mother of two and
prides herself on her eforts to make sure
that bills are paid and dinner is on the
table for her family every night.
Usually, her two jobs ensure this is
the case, but that all changed during a
seemingly routine doctors appointment
for her youngest child.
It was just your typical checkup, she
explained. When we found ourselves
waiting for a long, long time in the exam
room, I knew something was up.
Upon his return, the family physician
delivered the crushing news. Cheryls son
needed to be transferred and admitted
to a local hospital for treatment for an
unexpected illness.
It was devastating, she said. Looking
back, it was good that we went in for that
appointment, because they caught the
sickness in time, but he was in the hospital
for almost a weekI have insurance, but
it didnt cover everything. The fnancial
burden on top of the emotional toll was
really, really tough for us.
Not only were the medical bills and
other related expenses that Cheryl had
not anticipated or planned for, but she
missed several days of work to spend time
with her ailing sonfurther stretching her
already fragile budget.
I was stressed out, we all were, she
said. When he was discharged, I was still
four or fve days away from pay day, and I
just remember leaving the hospital with
almost nothing in my bank account.
While the stress kind of suppressed my
appetite, I knew that my kids needed food.
Luckily, I was familiar with [Kalamazoo]
Loaves & Fishes.
Ive actually donated several times in
the past because I really appreciate what
they do for our community, but I never
thought I would have to use their services.
It was kind of hard to swallow my pride at
frst, but it was a wonderful and helpful
experience.
More importantly, it allowed me to
feed my family during a difcult time."
*Name changed for anonymity
HUNGER STUDY REVEALS
GROWING NEED
Hunger in America 2014, a study released by Feeding
America (FA) in mid-August, provides an in-depth
glimpse at hunger in our community through important
statistics that help KLFwhich is a regional distribution
organization of Feeding Americaadjust to the
constant evolution of food insecurity in our area. Here is
a quick look at some of the key fndings:
$927 the median monthly household income of
FA clients nationwide.
82% of FA clients in Kalamazoo County report
purchasing the cheapest food available, even if
they knew it wasnt a healthy option, in an efort to
provide enough food for their household.
78% of FA clients in Kalamazoo County live
below the poverty line.
40% of households FA served in Kalamazoo
County reported at least one member that was
employed at some point in the past year.
COMMUNITY
SPOTLIGHT: ZOETIS
Zoetis, formerly known as Pfzer Animal
Health, once again exemplifed its
commitment to a brighter future for
Kalamazoo County by its generous
contributions to KLFs Food is Fuel Summer
Kids Campaign.
As a part of its annual summer
philanthropy eforts, the locally-based
research frm not only donated funds
to help feed hungry people in our area,
but employees also found the time in
their busy schedules to volunteer in KLFs
warehouse on multiple occasions.
Portions of monetary contributions
were allotted to the SPCA of Southwest
Michigan to help ensure that critical food
assistance continues to be made available
to both our neighbors in need and their
pets.
We decided to give local colleagues
in Research and Development, and
our Manufacturing team the option to
designate a portion of their donation to
the SPCA of Southwest Michigan, and
we matched these donations to help
address hunger in our community, a
Zoetis representative said. Many times,
families may have to make the hard choice
of whether to give up their pet that is too
expensive to feed so that they can have
enough food to eat themselves.
We want to enable more
families to get the food they
need and keep their pets in their
homes.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
teams up with the SPCA of
Southwest Michigan through
a program called the Kibble
Connection to distribute both
human and pet food on a frst-
come, frst-serve basis at St.
Andrew Church in Kalamazoo
on the fourth Saturday of every
month as a part of the Mobile
Food Initiative.
It is important for all organizations
involved to prevent situations in which
local residents must make the difcult
determination of putting food on either
their own plate or in the bowl of their
animals because, for so many, a healthy
family is not complete without their four-
legged friends.
The leading animal health company in
Kalamazoo County, Zoetis employs more
than 1,000 local individuals, including more
than 700 at its Research and Development
headquarters in downtown Kalamazoo
and about 300 in Manufacturing hub in
Portage.For more information on this
community-minded organization and its
dedication to our our county, visit www.
zoetis.com.
As the festive spirit of the holiday season approaches, it is
important to think of the additional challenges that this time of
year presents for so many in our community.
With the temperatures dropping and inclement conditions
such as freezing rain, sleet and snow returning, we must
continue to work together to address the hunger-related needs
of our area. Consider the following holiday-themed giving
ideas to help keep our neighbors healthy and nourished this
winter:
HOLIDAY GIVING IDEAS
KZoo Folklife
The KZoo Folklife
Organization will host its 17th
annual KLF Benefit Concert
Nov. 22 at Trinity Lutheran
Church located at 504 S.
Westnedge in Kalamazoo.
Doors open a 6:00 p.m.,
and admission is free with
a donation of canned or
non-perishable food items.
Contact June Kucks at
269.649.4529 for more details.
Give the Gift of SustenanceWhat do you get for
the person that has everything? Consider making
a tribute gift to KLF in the name of a loved one as a
holiday present. Visit www.kzoolf.org /donate for
more information.
Host a Holiday Themed Food and Fund Drive
People are always eager to give during the holiday
months making it the perfect time to host a successful
food and fund drive.
Individual GiftsFeel like avoiding the pomp and
circumstance of the holiday season and simply want
to give back to your community? Monetary and
food donations can be made from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on
weekdays at KLFs administrative ofce at 901 Portage
Street in Kalamazoo or online at www.kzoolf.org.
For information and additional ways to give, contact
Resource Development Director Greta Faworski at
269.488.2617 ext. 208 or at greta@kzoolf.org
Zoetis donated both funds and
time this summer.
Join the
Movement!
Are you interested in helping make Kalamazoo
a hunger-free community? Weve got a place for
you! Attend a brief volunteer orientation to get
started.
Volunteer Orientation dates:
Saturday, October 11
Wednesday, October 22
Saturday, November 8
Wednesday, November 19
Sign up with Volunteer Coordinator
Cherise Buchanan at 269.488.2617 ext. 209
or at cherise@kzoolf.org
IF OUR HOPES OF BUILDING A
BETTER AND SAFER WORLD ARE
TO BECOME MORE THAN WISHFUL
THINKING, WE WILL NEED THE
ENGAGEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS
MORE THAN EVER.
-2001 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kof Annan
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
As KLF continues to increase its capacity to serve our
community at our in-house Mary K. Melzer Pantry, the
need for pantry volunteers is also growing. We are always
searching for more local, community-minded individuals to
help us distribute food to those in Kalamazoo County who
need it the most.
Everyone is always so incredibly grateful, said
Pat V., who volunteers at the Melzer Pantry every Tuesday
afternoon. A lot of times, we take something like having
enough to eat for granted.
The gratitude and perseverance to get through tough
situations that so many people in our community show, it
gives me a phenomenal emotional lift every time I come to
volunteer.
The most important thing I can say after volunteering
here, is that this is definitely a worthy cause, added Tom
B., who volunteers at the Melzer Pantry multiple times per
week.
As we expand the availability of our Grocery Pantry
Program, we need your help! Currently, we are looking
for assistance during morning shifts at our Melzer Pantry,
located inside of our administrative office on 901 Portage
Street in Kalamazoo.
For more information on our many volunteer
opportunities, or to sign up for volunteer orientation,
contact Volunteer Coordinator Cherise Buchanan at
269.488.2617 ext. 209 or at cherise@kzoolf.org.
FOOD
WISH LIST
October:
Soups and stews
November:
Low or no-salt canned
vegetables
Did you know that with just
$1, KLF can feed an individual
three meals for a day? Please
consider making a fund
donation as well.
KLF OCTOBER GIVING COUPON
AMOUNT $ ________________
As we approach the fnal months of 2014, KLF continues to serve more local
individuals than ever before. Your generosity helps us meet the growing need
for food assistance in our community.
Please send your contribution by October 23.
OCTOBER
2014
COUPON
#133
KLF NOVEMBER GIVING COUPON
AMOUNT $ ________________
The cooling temperatures provide another obstacle for those struggling with
hunger. Your donation helps KLF provide hearty foods, like soups and stews, to
keep our neighbors sufciently nourished as winter approaches.
Please send your contribution by November 24.
NOVEMBER
2014
COUPON
#134
Volunteers help us keep our pantry shelves stocked and also
assist our clients while they use our services
Groups, schools, government departments, civic clubs, and other non-proft organizations provided valued support to
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes through the donations of food and funds during our last fscal year. Groups rally together to
collect donations and support our mission through their generous gifts. These are the groups that gave between 7/1/2013
and 6/30/2014. Please contact us if you believe you were mistakingly omitted from the list.
12th Street Elementary School
Alpha Chapter, Michigan Alpha
Delta Kappa
Amberly Elementary School
American Business Women
Association
American Cancer Society
Arcadia Elementary
Area Agency on Aging IIIA
AT&T Employee Giving United
Way
Borgess 8NW
Boy Scout Troop 211
Boy Scout Troop 244
Breakfast Optimist Club of
Kalamazoo
Bridge Buddies
The Bunco Group
Catholic Schools of Greater
Kalamazoo
Church World Service
Circle of Hearts
Community Healing Centers
Comstock High School
Comstock Public Schools
Country Acres Homeowners
Association
Cub Scout Pack 289
Downtown Kalamazoo Inc.
Echelon Property Management,
LLC
Ecumenical Senior Center
Family Health Center
Feeding America Benton Harbor
Fellowship of Christian Peace
Ofcers
Food Bank of South Central
Michigan
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Fraternal Order of Eagles Aux.
3531
Freedom Schools- Kalamazoo
EastEnd Studio & Gallery
Girl Scout Troop 80482
Girl Scout Troop 80615
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
Goodwill Industries of
Southwestern Michigan
Great Lakes Burn Camp
Greater Kalamazoo Combined
Federal Campaign
Gull Lake High School
Hackett Catholic Central High
School
Heart of West Michigan United
Way
Hunters Place Condo
Association
Interested Ladies of Lambda
Theta Alpha
Irish Fest
Irish-American Club of
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Antique Auto
Restorers Club
Kalamazoo Area Math & Science
Center (KAMSC)
Kalamazoo Area Runners
Kalamazoo Central High School
Kalamazoo Christian High
School
Kalamazoo Christian Middle
School
Kalamazoo Christian West
Elementary School
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre
Kalamazoo County Association
of Retired School Personnel
Kalamazoo County Chapter of
Thrivent Financial
Kalamazoo County Clerks Ofce
Kalamazoo County Health
Deptartment
Kalamazoo County Parks
Department
Kalamazoo Dance
Kalamazoo Education
Association
Kalamazoo Family YMCA
Kalamazoo Growlers Baseball
Team
Kalamazoo Kampers Good Sam
Club #78
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital
Kalamazoo Public Library
Kalamazoo Rotary Club Charities
Kalamazoo Round Table
Kalamazoo Township Staf &
Police Ofcers
Kalamazoo Valley Antique
Engine & Machinery Club
Kalamazoo Valley Community
College (KVCC)
Kalamazoo Young Business
Professionals
Killamazoo Derby Darlins Team
Kiwanis Club of Westside
Kalamazoo
Knights of Columbus 6980
Knights of Columbus Council
9962
KRESA
KVCC Womens Basketball
Kzoo Folklife Organization
The La-De-Dahs
Learning Village Preschool
Lee Honors College
Linden Grove Middle School
Little Treasures Preschool
Loy Norrix Peace Jam
Maple Street Magnet School for
the Arts
March of Dimes
Master Gardener Association
Michigan Department of
Education
Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality
Michigan Department of
Human Services
Michigan United
Michigan Works
Midwest Enterprises for the
Blind
Milwood Middle School
Montessori School
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
MWEB
NAILS of Greater Kalamazoo
Nancy Lynn Transmission Clinic
Network For Good
Ofce Of the City Manager
Parchment Garden Club
Pine Lake Association
Portage Central Elementary
School
Portage Central High School
National Honor Society
Portage Northern High School
Prairie Ridge Elementary School
Pretty Lake Vacation Camp
Reformed Heritage Christian
School
Rod Benders Car Club of West
Michigan
Ron Moore Memorial Outing
Secretary of State Ofce/
Portage
Share Our Strength
Sigma Alpha Iota
Social Security Administration
Sons of Norway
South County Community
Services
Southridge Moms Group
Spring Arbor University
St. Lukes Thrift Shop
St. Monica School
Staf of Taconic DDRO
The League of Women Voters of
the Kalamazoo Area
The Swingin 70s
The Taylor Group
University Theatre
Tops-Michigan 539 Comstock
Transportation Security
Administration
United Way of the Battle Creek
and Kalamazoo Region
Van Buren County Master
Gardeners
West Michigan Independent
Automobile Dealers
Association
West Michigan Woodturners
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Athletics
Western Michigan University
First Year Experience Program
Western Michigan University
Greek Life
Western Michigan University
Ofce of the President
Western Michigan University
Student Activities and
Leadership Programs
Westland Meadows Inspirational
Hour
Westwood Post Ofce
WMU AFSCME Local #1668
WMU Ofce of University
Relations
Michigan Press Women
Woodland Elementary School
Woods Lake Elementary
Youth Advancement Academy
THANK YOU
TO GROUPS OF ALL VARIETIES FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Our Mission
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry
people and engage our community in the
fght to end hunger.
Our Values
Respect
Diversity & Inclusion
Stewardship & Accountability
Integrity
Collaboration
Urgency
Service
TRIBUTES 7/1/2014 8/30/2014 . Special thanks to those who honor friends and family through contributions to KLF.
I
IN HONOR OF ...
Aadhya Bantu
Bob & Barb Beardsley
Don Bedsen
Betty Brown
Michael Burkholz
Lydia Decker
Dorothy Renbarger-Morris
& William Morriss
grandchildren
Dr. Phillip Doyle
Rebecca Bour & Ryan
Eichhorn
Jan & Robert Elwell
Dr. Thomas Fillar, DDS
Russ & Rheyma Gruber
Maureen DeCorte Hall
Bill & Doris Hamill
Brad & Amy Harrington
Eileen & Mark Hoag
Berneice L. Hunt
Kathleen Izenbaard
Kimberley & John Maycrofts
grandchildren
Gary & Sara Krebill
Pamela Larson
Anne De Maagd
Tom McCormick, MD
Reagan Marie Mead
Barbara & Brian Menlen
Mark Oudersluys
Benjamin Palmer
Taylor Parker
Douglas Paul
John Pletcher
Rick & Becky Ramsey
Marie Rogers
Pat Rothi
Bryan Stapert
Nicholas & Tessa Staufer
Tom & Brigid Stersic
Students at Lincoln
Elementary School
Ed & Dorothy Talanda
The North Presbyterian
Church
The Spirit of Generosity
Olga Visser
Mel & Mary Lou Woolf
IN MEMORY OF ...
Robert L. Asher Sr
Robert E. Bear
Terry Bennett
Derald Blake
Ruth Boot
Morris & Wilma Bos
Jean Branson
Patrecia Breen
Len Bridge
Bonnie Brush
Richard R. Buck
Jean Bullinger
Genevieve Burke
Maxine Bushouse
Karen Cernik
Ann Churchill
Patricia Coleman
Norma Craig
Tom Crooks
David & Ann Martins parents
Deceased Henehan family
Casey DeMink
Ernest Derhammer
Ruth Diephuis
Joseph Dillon
Walter East
Eileen Ebel
Evan Ebling
Eleanor Bosschers family
Fred J. Ferenz
Jerald Finnegan
Marian Fisher
Irene Fradet
Frederick Frenc
Gloria Gallagher
Dr. Robert W. Grossman
Pastor Louis Grother
Florence Haarla
William Hamilton
Roy & Genevieve Hiler
John Hines
Eileen & Clayton Holaday
Theresa Hollowell
Dennis Hutchins
Beverley Jevert
John, Barney & Florence
Westra
Caleb Johnson
Kathryn Ann Johnston
Harry Joyce
Pete Kakabaker
Richard L. Ketelaar II
Richard Ketelaar
Bob Killick
Dr. James B. Kilway
Candy Kogler
Marguerite Kolb
Frank Kovach
Jean Kramer
Martha Lam
Lance Lambert
Linda Mary Renauld Lutz
Sally Lindsay
Brad Lindsey
William D. Lorentz
Loved ones
Colleen Magnan
Violet Maki
Robert Markus
Paul & Mildred Matyas
Edward Mayo
Max Mills
Harry & Dorothy Miner
Kathy Mizeur
Carol Moore
Archie Murrish
Jackie Nemedi
Leo Nickerson
Jaimie Oorbeck
Thomas Oorbeck
Frank Ossif Jr.
Dr. Claude Phillips
Jack Plano
Gerald L. Pochyla
Tom Pyke
Sal Raab
Aaron Ranger
Jim Reish
Jessica Renauld
Oswald & Alvina Renauld
Milo and Frances Rifenberg
Ann Marie Riley
Mary Roche
Rose Ann Ronnebaum
Charles L. Root III
Cal & Evelyn Rosine
George & Sheila Rutz
Anastasia Schauer
Marilyn Scheel
Jessie Scheurwater
Dr. Peter Schmitt
Martin & Emma Schmitt
Katie Schultz
Charles Schulz
Sue Scott
Jane Seabolt
Foster L Sherwood Jr
Victor Siemers
Joani Siwik
Tom Sonday
Robert Staford
Marie Steele
Judith Steere
Pearl Marie Renauld Stone &
Douglas Stone
Aarend & Verl Stoppelberg
Jim Sullivan
Evelyn Summerville
Cecil C. Tackett Jr.
Josie (Hoekstra) Talsma
The Foghinos & The
Metzelaars
Sandra Thomas
Rex Thomson
Dan Thompson
Connie Utrect
Barbara VanLoo-
Bommersbach
Roon Visser
Diane D. Vorenkamp
Lawrence Pete Wagner
Carole Walsh
Mrs. M. Weltevreden
Joe & Mina Willoughby
Donald Wolf
Dick Yarger
Ken & Lorraine Youngs
Flora (Hoekstra) Zeinstra
Sarah Gilbert, Call Center Assistant 221
Dave Hafer, Warehouse Coordinator 211
Phyllis Hepp, Organizational Development Director 210
Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director 213
Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator 214
Marvin King, Food Procurement Specialist 224
Ruth Matteson, Call Center Coordinator 201
Kevin Minor, Communications Coordinator 218
Jackie Smith, Pantry Coordinator 221
Carolyn Tyler, Operations Coordinator 222
Laura Winther, Donor Database Coordinator 206
Staf / Business Ofce
269.488.2617 EXT.
Joan Atwell, Call Center Coordinator 201
Cherise Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator 209
Paul Bushek, Warehouse Assistant 211
Art Cole, Services Director 207
Joe Cook, Warehouse Assistant 211
Bob Dekker, Warehouse Assistant 211
Greta Faworski, Resource Development Director 208
Joe Galaviz, Warehouse Assistant 211
Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director 212
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KzoLoavesFishes
901 PORTAGE STREET
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN 49001-3005
FOOD REQUEST LINE: 269/343-3663
P 269/488-2617 F 269/343-3669
WWW.KZOOLF.ORG
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KALAMAZOO MI
PERMIT NO. 1693