May 2008

K A L A M A ZO O LOAV E S A N D F I S H E S
r
/ & 84
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Business Office 269-488-2617 • Food Request Line 269-343-3663
Fax: 269-343-3669 • Email: info@kzoolf.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE We’re All In This Together

T
ANNUAL MEETING hings in Michigan are tough right
HIGHLIGHTS 2
now. We’re talking about the
UPCOMING EVENTS 2 economy almost as much as the
CONTRIBUTIONS weather. Ensuring food security for all
“ROLLIN’ IN” 3
Kalamazoo County families and individuals
GREEKS DONATE CANS 3 has never been needed more or been such a
WISH LIST 3 big challenge.
DONATION COUPONS 3
Food costs are rising… “Steadily rising
CELEBRATIONS AND food costs aren’t just causing grocery
MEMORIALS 4
shoppers to do a double-take at the checkout
line – they’re also changing the ways we
feed our families…. At $., the average money donations. Sources of no-cost and
price of a loaf of bread has increased % low-cost food also continue to decrease,
since January . In the past year alone, meaning more food has to be purchased
the average price of a carton of eggs has outright to meet requests.
increased almost %.”
FAST FACTS Kalamazoo Gazette, April ,  KLF’s experience… “We continue to
struggle to keep up with the demand,
The reality of rising food prices is particularly for items such as peanut butter,
In the month of hitting every one of us, every day, in our tuna fish, canned and boxed dinners, fruit,
March alone, pocketbooks. For the most vulnerable and juice. Despite generous local food drives,
KLF distributed individuals and families in our communities KLF has to spend significantly more money
the challenge of feeding themselves—at to secure the food resources needed to
• Approximately all—increases with each rising cost. stock our pantries,” says Marvin King, KLF
2,300 boxes of Fuel costs are rising… “The average Warehouse Director. “Service levels, already
macaroni & cheese household has paid $ for heat this winter, at record highs, continue to grow steadily
% more than last year, forcing families and rapidly,” adds Art Cole, KLF Services
• More than 970 jars to make difficult choices between heat Director.
of peanut butter and food. For many of Michigan’s working
Food Security: Access by all people to
and families, it means turning to local food
enough food for an active, healthy life. This
banks to fill the gap, according to the Food
vision and our mission—to increase access
• Nearly 900 loaves Bank Council of Michigan.”
to emergency food resources—focus our
of bread Grand Haven Tribune, March , 
efforts. We know it will take all of us to
to 1,771 households
Local food pantries are feeling the ensure food security is a reality for everyone
crunch… Across the state and country, in Kalamazoo County, especially in today’s
in Kalamazoo rising costs in many basic areas of daily economic environment. We hope you will
County. living frame the work at local food pantries. work with us to identify ways KLF can
Most are seeing higher volumes of people engage the whole community in making
seeking emergency food resources while, food security a reality here, even in these
at the same time, lower levels of food and difficult economic times.
 KALAMAZOO LOAVES AND FISHES Page 2

Annual Meeting Highlights Upcoming Events

O ur Annual Meeting was held on April 21. Here is an

overview of the evening’s festivities.
May 4: Annual CROP Hunger Walk
Registration begins at  pm at Bronson
We said goodbye to retiring Board members Tim Charron and Park. Both the . mile WALK and
Bill Goodrich, and welcomed new Board members Patricia Carlin, . mile WALK will then begin at
Robert Ezelle, Chris Kenney, and Martha Simpson. In addition,  p.m. Donations are also accepted
Board terms were extended for Leatta Byrd and Donna McClurken. as a substitute for walking. If
KLF also recognized several of the particularly outstanding you’re interested in donating or
volunteers who, as individuals or groups, have made unique need more information, visit www.
contributions to the organization. kalamazoocropwalk.org or call
Sue VanderMeer at -, ext. .
Golden Loaf – Group
Ronald and Sheryl VanderRoest and children – Daniel, Hannah,
Benjamin, Rachael, Stephanie, and Rebecca – have volunteered as a May 10: National
family for more than  years at Bethany Friendship House, sharing Association of Letter
their time and resources with people in need.
Carrier’s Food Drive
Golden Loaf – Individual
Help Kalamazoo County
Dan Jeska, whose dedicated service, first as a volunteer and then the surpass the , lb. mark
Food Director and Warehouse Manager, has given his time, energy, on May  by donating food
and friendship to many. He’s been missed since his recent retirement items during this year’s Letter
but continues his support of KLF by mentoring new staff and setting Carriers Food Drive.
an excellent example of giving.
This marks the th year for
Willie Webster Outstanding Volunteer Award
the event and it has never
Roy & Delores Leftwich have been regular faces around KLF for been more important to donate food. In  alone, KLF saw a %
years. Delores, a recently retired call center worker, and Roy, a increase in demand for emergency food and it is expected to increase
faithful bread gleaner, have demonstrated compassion, caring, and even more this year. This summer is expected to be a very difficult
dedicated service, which is the essence of this award. time for many people, and you can help fill our warehouse.
Marcia Jackson Hunger Advocacy Award Target food items for this year are: canned meat, tuna, peanut butter,
Judy Markusse served as the director of partner agency Ministry beef stew (and other “main dish” items), macaroni & cheese, %
with Community for more than  years, and also served on the fruit juices, hearty soups, and canned fruit.
KLF board. Through all of her roles, she’s been a committed
advocate to ensuring food security for every member of our If you’d like to volunteer and lend a hand at the KLF warehouse on
community. May , please contact Jennifer Johnson at -, ext. , or write
to info@kzoolf.org.
5 Year Awards
Kim Ameluxen, Ginny Bauhof, Jean Bloch, Mary Carlson,
Norm Carlson, Don Flesche, Grace Flesche, Gerhard Fuerst, July 5: Baseball, Food, and Funds at this year’s
Marilyn Graber, Dorothy Hudson, Chris F. Ishida, Jim Ishida,
“Independence From Hunger” with the Kalamazoo
Dorothy Larkin, Mark MacCarron, Mary Melzer, Marilyn Mizsak,
Marilyn Parthun, Lucy Sellin, Victor Siemers, Katie Stevens, Kings
Susan Weng The holiday weekend is sure to be an exciting one as KLF and the
10 Year Awards Kalamazoo Kings join forces to promote an evening of “Independence
Rodger Bengston, Nancy Broomell, Ellen Frisinger, George from Hunger” on July  during their game against the
Geissel, Bob Gustafson, Eileen Kelly, Jay Kelly, Dorothy Klepper, Chillicothe Paints.
Bob Klesert, Nancy Klesert, Philip Lyon, Arlynne Reiman, Bernie We will begin to pre-sell tickets to the
he
Rodee, Beverly Roschek, Helen Sellis, Bernita Thompson, Fay game in May/June and are seeking
Woolrich individuals and organizations that
15 Year Awards may be interested in helping. A
Emerson Eidson, Dick Thomas percentage of the ticket sales will
go to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
20 Year Awards
Margaret Brigman, Pearl Doom, Joyce Kelly, Janet Kesterson, Please contact Jennifer Johnson
Delores Leftwich, Bill Neff, Helen Neff, Edna Sipsema, Carol Vail at -, ext. , for more
25 Year Award information.
Irene Evans
 Page 3 MAY 2008

Contributions Have Been Volunteer Orientation

Orientation sessions for anyone interested in volunteering at KLF
“Rollin’ In” For 26 Years will be offered at KLF Administrative Offices on May  and June 

D edicated from  a.m. to  p.m. Questions? Call Sue VanderMeer at -,

ext. , or email Sue@kzoolf.org.
is a word
that might begin
to describe Amy
Call Center Volunteers Needed!
Wright, owner of We are seeking  individuals with multi-line phone experience and
Rollerworld, on some computer familiarity who can commit  hours a week every
Stadium Drive in month. Own transportation required.
Kalamazoo. She has Call Sue VanderMeer at -, ext. , or email Sue@kzoolf.org.
organized a weekly
food drive, every Rollerworld’s Amy Wright and KLF’s Lou Hoekstra
year, since KLF began in 1982.
WISH LIST
As Amy considered ideas to draw people to the rink on one of Buy: Your gift of food continues to be essential to our grocery
the slower nights of the week, she decided whatever it was also pantry program. As you shop this spring, be sure to
had to help the community. So, she began accepting food dona- include KLF in your shopping list. Please consider the
tions instead of an entrance fee on Tuesdays, and there began following items as part of your list:
a lasting commitment to helping hungry people of Kalamazoo May: Beef Stew
County. June: Tuna
Each month, all year long, Amy consults the KLF website for Save: Save your pocket change and add it to the Share the
the latest “wish list items” and creates a calendar that includes Dough canister next time you eat at Panera Bread.
a specific “Can of the Week” or C.O.W. Skaters who bring in All proceeds support Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
this particular can (or jar, or box) on Tuesday nights between Do: Help fight hunger while you shop! Enroll in a local
: p.m. – : p.m., get free admission. rewards program and designate your dollars to KLF.
What began as a way to get people to roller skate on one of the Hardings “eScrip” - # and Meijer Community
slowest nights of the week has developed into one of the busi- Rewards - #.
est and most anticipated nights of the week. And best of all, it
“keeps the momentum” of giving going strong throughout the
year—even  years later. KLF Spring Giving CouponX
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Greeks Donate Cans from
Sculpture Competition Amount $ XX

T he Western
Michigan
University Greek
Tax rebate checks are being sent out in May.
Consider donating part of your tax rebate to help hungry
people in Kalamazoo County.
Community, via
the Panhellenic Please send your contribution by May 26.
and Intrafraternity
Councils, held
a can sculpture
KLF Spring Giving Coupon
competition as part
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of a community Panhellenic Council’s Jamie Nichols and Joe Semma
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April. The theme was “I Love the 90s” and 8 teams created
sculptures of various shapes and sizes including the Titantic Amount $ XX
(the film), a Beanie Baby, and video games from that era. Many children who rely on subsidized meals during the
All of the cans from the competition were then donated to school year rely more on KLF during the summer.
KLF. In total,  lbs were delivered by Greek members via You can help by contributing food items and dollars
a donated—and very full—U-Haul truck (see above). over the summer months.

Thank you, Greek Community, for your service to this Please send your contribution by June 23.
community!
 N o n - Pr o f i t
O r g a n i z at i o n
U. S . Po s t a g e
P A I D
913 East Alcott K a l a m a z o o, M I
Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Pe r m i t N o. 1693

Business Office: 269-488-2617

Food Request Line: 269-343-3663
Fax: 269-343-3669
Email: info@kzoolf.org

www.kzoolf.org

Thank you to all those who decided to honor their loved ones with gifts to KLF.
The following gifts were received between February ,  and April , .
If your gift arrived after April , it will appear in the next newsletter.

Gifts were made in honor of: Marcia Barney . Joan Colgren’s children & grandchildren . Mary Dobransky’s 100th birthday
Sharon Foster . Fran & Dick Glass’s 50th wedding anniversary . Martin Glista . Amy, Buff, Peter & Ella Grace
Hugh & Crista Graham’s 30th wedding anniversary . Marta Gulbis . Shadia Kanaan
Jeff Laing & John Bauckham – 55-year members of the Round Table . Delores Leftwich’s many years of service to KLF . Mike McMinn
Dick & Pam Nivala . Lula Palmer . Ava Plaszczak’s birthday . Linda Powell’s birthday . Linn Robison’s birthday
Happy 12th birthday to Grace, Joe & Andy Santamaria’s . Eris Smith’s birthday . Dr. Gary Wegenke’s 70th birthday
Sara Wilson . John Wunderlich’s birthday

Gifts were made in memory of: Robert Amrhein . Garrett Andrews . Harold Bahlke . Joe Effrice Barbee . Ron Barinka
Bettie Bartells . Mrs. Cecil Beach . Alex Beauchamp . Carlton W. Bradley .Thomas Brucks . Cathy Bryant & Elizabeth Dorbin-Bryant
Richard Burlington . Bruce Burrows . Karen Christopher . Robert Cleland . Tom Crooks . Steve Dalla . Marguerite Day . Veronica DeBack
Marcus DeRuyter . Nelson Eager . Don & Viola Essink . Jeanne Maltby Fahrenbach . Kay Ferguson . Rhonda Gloede .Vicki Haan
Dr. Clayton Holaday . The Holysko Family . Dorothy Horan . Larry Joliffe . Marguerite Kolb . Lance Lambert . Virginia May Lyons
Vern McIntosh Jr. . Edith Morrison CSJ . Jaime Oorbeck . Patricia O’Rourke . Kusumba Patel . Ruth Peet . Delvin Powell . Ann Raup
Violet Refior . Edna Ring & Esther Ring . Willis Roon . Frances Russell . Fred R. Russell . Peter J. Ryskamp . Almore Schneider
Sara Scramlin . Joani Siwik . Bill & Mary Smith . Pat Sommerfeldt . Dorothy Spencer . David Edward Steere . Anne Oas Szalkowski
Dale VanAntwerp . William VanDalson . Marcia Veld . Dick Voissem . Carl Vonnegut . Nick C. Yicol . Thomas D. Yonkers

Board of Directors ext.

Jan Brown Chris Kenney Staff/Business Office: 269-488-2617 ext. Lou Hoekstra, Warehouse Assistant 211
Leatta Byrd Cheryl Knapp Dick Anson, Warehouse Assistant 211 Jennifer Johnson, Communications Coordinator 213
Patricia Carlin Sam Lealofi Art Cole, Services Director 207 Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator 214
George Erickcek Donna McClurkan Toney Duckett, Call Center Team Leader 201 Marv King, Food Director 211
Robert Ezelle Harvey Meyers Linda Fitzgerald, Administrative Assistant 206 Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director 208
Bruce Gelbaugh Helen Norris George Geissel, Bookkeeper 206 Bobbe A. Luce, Com/Dev Director 213
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, Volunteer/Events Coordinator 209