October 2009
FoodforThought
Inside This Issue
Michigan Harvest Festival
Art and All That Jazz
Holiday Tribute Opportunity
Donate Online
Volunteer Corner
Fast Fact:
Thanks to your gifts, KLF
provided food to 9700 local
children in the summer of
2009 – a 20% increase
over 2008.
Remember:
Your donation is eligible
for a Michigan Income
Tax Credit. Go to
www.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
On the Front Line of Emergency
2 Food Needs
Today, more than ever, Kalamazoo to take the gifts and goodwill of this
2
Loaves & Fishes is on the front-line community and to share this basic –
3 of meeting emergency food needs in food – with those in need.
Kalamazoo County. While we all know We are also working actively to
3 that there has been significant job loss add capacity to our fixed and Mobile
3
in this community, here at KLF the Pantry sites so that more people can
impact of those losses is evident in the be served during the highest demand
voices and the faces of the people we times of the year. We even added an
serve every day. When you hear from impromptu in-house pantry at the KLF
a mother who says, “I’ve spent all day warehouse in May, July and August, by
getting up the courage to call you… converting a multi-use space, to feed
there is just no food in more individuals and
the house,” you know families that would
that times are still “I’ve spent all day have otherwise gone
tough for many. And without food that day.
she was just one of the getting up the The work that goes
22 new individuals/ on here is amazing
families that we served
courage to call you… and it is very simple.
that day. there is just no food Our goal is to be able
So, what do we do? to have food available
With your support, in the house.” for the mom whose
what KLF does is courage brought her
to work to address to our door. Our goal
the immediate crisis: to get food is to open the doors of our warehouse
into households across our county
today. We respond to the urgent need
when capacity is met at all of the
other pantry locations, so more can
through the Grocery Pantry Program. be served. Our goal is to continue to
That program is predicated on some help our neighbors to meet their basic
simple principles – basic nutrition, needs especially in these tough times.
food choices, enough food to bridge With your help, we continue to reach
the gap, and the simplest of all – need. more hungry people than ever before.
The miracle of KLF is that we are able – Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director
 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–October 2009
Michigan Harvest Gathering Participants
Gear Up to Collect Food for the Hungry
L ocal Michigan Harvest Gathering
participants are prepared for this
year’s event and all are hoping to
make a local impact.
The statewide celebration is held every
fall and encourages organizations to collect
food/funds for regional food banks. This
year organizations like Bronson Methodist
Hospital, Borgess Health, Charter
Communications and State employees
from our local area plan to hold food drives
during the month of October and into
November.
“Once again Borgess Health associates
are excited to devote their time and
Art for Hunger
Join Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts on
Oct. 16 and Nov. 20, from 5 – 7 pm, for Art & All That Jazz, a fun mix
913 E Alcott, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001 / P: 269.488.2617 / F: 269.343.3669 / E: info@kzoolf.org / W: kzoolf.org
resources to provide hope and food to
the hungry in our communities,” says
Sharon Ritchie, from the Borgess Mission
Integration Office. “We know that the
demand exceeds the available resources.
Borgess Health is very pleased with the
teamwork of our associates and their
compassion and generosity.”
Bronson employees are also very excited
to once again make a difference in the lives
of hungry people in this community. Each
year, they come together through friendly
competition – with each team trying to
collect more than the next. This year
Bronson hopes to exceed the total pounds
of gallery walks, live
music, refreshments,
and socializing.
Admission normally
costs $3 but if you
bring a canned good
– you’ll get in for
FREE.
All food donations
will go directly to the
KLF Grocery Pantry
Program.
For more details, call
349-7775, ext. 3110.
Are you considering holding a food
Or call 269-488-2617 ext. 211 for more information.
Page 2
collected from
2008. “Though
setting a goal
of 45,000 lbs is
aggressive by most standards, we are pretty
sure it’s attainable!” says Becca Snide-
Staggs, Bronson Information Technology
Administrative Assistant, and one of the
organizers of this year’s collection.
The ambitious goals of both hospitals
will make a difference for many this
coming winter. For more information
about how you can contribute during the
Michigan Harvest Gathering, call Jennifer
at 488-2617 ext. 213.
Harvest Gathering
Picnic
Join us at the KLF Warehouse for food
and festivities on Thursday, October
8th from 5–7PM. We’ll supply the main
dish and beverages; please bring a dish
to share. Meet KLF Board and staff, old
and new volunteers, share laughs and
good times and enjoy some fall harvest
fun! Hope to see you there! Questions?
Contact Seema 488-2617 ext. 209
drive this fall? To find out
what KLF needs most, visit
ww.kzoolf.org and click on
“How Can I Help?”
Page 3 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–October 2009

Monthly Now Available!

Volunteer Evening Volunteer
Orientations Opportunities
are held on the Evening volunteer
2nd Wednesday, opportunities will be
from 11-12 p.m. available this fall.
and on the 2nd Saturday, For more information,
from 9-10 a.m. contact Seema Jolly
Call 488-2617 ext. 209 at 488-2617 ext. 209
to reserve your spot! or seema@kzoolf.org

Visit the new and improved H oli d a y

www.kzoolf.org where credit T ri b ute s
card donations can now be made Would you like to make a
tribute for the December
online. Just click the DONATE Holiday Newsletter? If
link, and make a difference in w w w. k
z o o l f.
org
so, please make sure your
donation arrives at KLF by
the lives of local people. Oct. 30.
In addition, as you make your
KLF October Giving Coupon donations, holiday tribute
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 cards will be available for pick
October 2009 – Coupon #75 up at the KLF Administration
Amount $ office, 913 E. Alcott St.,
With school back in session, kids need all the energy they can get. Good food is the beginning November 1.
start to a good education. Donate your dollars to help support growing children in this For more information,
community
please call Melissa at
Please send your contribution by October 24
269-488-2617 ext. 206.

As you are filling your shopping

KLF November Giving Coupon
cart, please consider contributing
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
November 2009 – Coupon #76 some of these
“wish list” items:
Amount $
As the cold weather arrives, more people will need access to hearty, stick-to-your bones
food. Make a donation this month that helps KLF secure the food needed this winter. October: Ravioli
Please send your contribution by November 22
November: Hearty Soup

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

 FoodforThought–October 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

The following gifts were received between July 7 and Sept. 3. If your gift was received after Sept. 3 it will
be included in the next newsletter. NOTE: If you want to make a tribute that will be listed in the December
Newsletter, please make sure your tribute arrives by Oct. 30.

Gifts in honor of:

Jan Andersen • Richard Baker’s 75th Birthday • Terry Bennett Jr.’s 48th Birthday • Deb Berkey’s Birthday
Bob and Beverly Bloomquist’s 50th Wedding Anniversary • Steve and Michelle Crouch’s Marriage • Lydia Decker’s Birthday • Kevin DeYoung’s Birthday
Friendship Village • John and Mary Jane Hamilton’s 40th Wedding Anniversary • Jim Hess’ Birthday • Dr and Mrs Ted Ira’s 50th Wedding Anniversary
Mark and Cindy Jackson’s Marriage • Marilyn and Alan Jacobs’ 50th Wedding Anniversary • Melbourne and Gertrude Jaquays’ 70th Wedding Anniversary
Deb Josephson’s Birthday • Kalamazoo Round Table • Thomas Kasdorf • Steve and Melissa Kellogg’s Marriage • Carol Knapp’s 70th Birthday • Lisa Lutz
Mr and Mrs T L Swiat • Dr. Roy Olton’s Birthday • Jerry and Lavon Packer’s 50th Wedding Anniversary • Doug Paul • Margaret Pifer’s Birthday • James Rodbard
June Shockley • Joanne Smith’s Birthday • Wendy Tweedie’s Birthday • Bill and Joyce VanderMay’s 50th Wedding Anniversary
Mr and Mrs Lloyd Weers’ 61st Wedding Anniversary • John and Nancy Wilks’ 25th Wedding Anniversary

Gifts in memory of:

Robert Amrhein • Robert C. Anderson • Bernice Begeman • Morris & Wilma Bos • Mike Boyce • Gene Brink • Bruce L. Burrows • Edward H. Camisa
Conrado Cantu • Jim Coyle • Raymond Dannenberg • Marcus DeRuyter • Lucille Dillon • Sally Emaar • Dick Evans Sr. • Tom Hill • Grant Hogarth Sr
Louise Jessett • Ronald Klok • Gladys Kloosterman • Marguerite Kolb • Bob Kramer • Roelfien Kuiper • Peter Anthony Langone • William LoMonaco
Linda Renauld Lutz • Lyle E. Marks • Myrtle McCarty • Donald and Marian Meyer • Kathy Mizeur • Hugh Moser • E. Loretta Noland • Virginia Norton
Frank Ossiff Jr. • Vivian O. Page • Amber & Harold Pangle • Chip Passavant • Gerald L. Pochyla • Anna & Wolfgang Raith • Jessica Renauld • Richard Riekse
Peter J. Ryskamp • James H. Schaap • Dr. Peter Schmitt • Joani Siwik • Lois Smetana • Bill & Mary Smith • Floyd Smith • Tom Sonday • Mary Sperry
Bill Steinke • Frank Stiglich • Fred and Phylis TerBurgh • Ron Thorn • Freda B VanderSalm • Roon Visser • Eileen Waggott • Carole Walsh
Mr and Mrs Hobert Watson • Jane Wend • Ruth White • Virginia Wielhouwer • Jerry Wilgus • Donald Wisser • Marian L Withrow • James Daniel Wrinkle

Board of Directors Staff/Business Office 269.488.2617 ext.

Leatta Byrd Sam Lealofi Dick Anson, Warehouse Assistant 211 Jennifer Johnson, Public Relations/Dev. Director  213
Patricia Carlin Donna McClurkan Melissa Burel, Data Entry Gift Processor 206 Seema Jolly, Volunteer Coordinator 209
Robert Ezelle Harvey Myers Art Cole, Services Director 207 Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator 214
Bruce Gelbaugh Helen Norris George Geissel, Bookkeeper 206 Marv King, Food Director 211
Martin Glista Maija Petersons Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director 212 Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director 208
Lynn Jessel Martha Simpson Phyllis Hepp, Project Planner 210 Shelley Markle, Warehouse Assistant 211
Cheryl Knapp Lou Hoekstra, Warehouse Assistant 211 Sue VanderMeer, Call Center Team Leader 201