August 2008
FoodforThought
Inside This Issue
"I’m Hungry. What's There To Eat?" 1
Promotion Concepts’ Support KLF 1
Peer Support Team 2 special time of year. The days
Independence From Hunger 2
World Food Day 2
Volunteer Corner 3
You Can Help 3
Celebrations 4
Fast Facts:
One-Day Food Orders
Are Rising Dramatically
Jan.–June Jan.–June
2007 2008
69,771 97,406
Michigan Tax Credits
Expand to Include Some
Food Donations.
Monetary donations to KLF and other
food banks, food pantries, and homeless
shelters are eligible for Michigan state
income tax credits at a 50% rate, up to
$100/single- or $200/joint-filers.
On July 11, Governor Granholm
expanded the income tax credit to include
food. “To qualify for a credit, donations
must be made as part of a matching dona-
tion program with a food retailer.”
Look for more information in future
publications and on our website, and
consult your CPA to learn how this
new provision may benefit you.
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
I’m Hungry. What’s There To Eat?
F
or most of us, summer is a
are longer and warmer. And,
even if we no longer have an extended
summer vacation, it still seems like
there’s extra time to really enjoy family
and friends. Around our house that
time is most often at mealtime. At one
such recent family gathering, shortly
after lunch, I heard—from my grand-
son (almost 2), my granddaughters
(8 & 9) and my nephews (13 and 15)
—the cry: “I’m hungry, what’s there to
eat?” Eat? Again? Didn’t we just finish
what seemed like a huge meal?
Yes, summer is a special season of
overall abundance for most of us,
but not all of us. In fact, in Michigan
—this summer and throughout the
year—more than 19% of children
under 18 (more than 460,000) don’t
know where every meal will come
from, or if there will be one any time
soon. Here in Kalamazoo County their
numbers continue to climb, rapidly.
Even with food stamps, school meals,
and emergency food assistance, local
children living in poverty can expect to
miss more than eight (8) meals a week.
With school out, local children living
at or below federal poverty levels face
an additional challenge–they don’t have
access to school-based meals.
This summer, KLF’s Grocery Pantry
Program continues to serve record
numbers of hungry people–and almost
half are children. In fact, 2,516 local
children were served through the
Grocery Pantry Program in June of this
year. Additionally, KLF is working with
Kalamazoo Communities in Schools
to supply KPS elementary summer
school students with Weekend Food
Packs. Other community partners host a
number of sites that provide lunches to
local children Monday through Friday.
In her book, I Can Make a Difference–
A Treasury to Inspire Our Children, Marian
Wright Edleman asks “What kind of
people do we want to be?” At KLF,
we want to be the kind of people who
work hard to promote food security—
access by everyone to enough food
for an active, healthy life. We want
summer to be a special time of year for
all of the community’s children. You
can help. You can make a difference in
these young lives. There are ideas in this
newsletter or you can give us a call any
time, at 488-2617. —Anne Wend Lipsey
September Events
Support KLF
Promotion Concepts has chosen KLF
as the beneficiary of their 2008 Sept-
ember Charity Golf Outing & Auction
and Promotion Expo! Activities and
opportunities will abound on Sept-
ember 15 & 16, including a keynote
address by Ron Kitchens at the Expo,
and you are invited!
Please gather your friends and colleagues
and visit PCI’s website for details and
registration information for one or both
days. (promotionconcepts.com ) More
information will soon be available on our
website, too.
We are honored that PCI has selected us
and applaud their commitment to helping
KLF feed increasing numbers of hungry
people in Kalamazoo County.
 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–August 2008
KLF’s Peer Learning
Resource Project:
Clients Helping Clients
A year ago, Kalamazoo Loaves &
Fishes initiated the Peer Learning
Resource Project. This information
and referral service for current emergency
food assistance clients is run by a team of
people who are—or have been—clients,
themselves. Team members rotate to
different pantry sites every month to
provide support and information to KLF
Grocery Pantry Program clients.
Team members Yvonne and Bev under-
stand how unexpected twists and turns
in life can lead to uncertainty over basic
needs. “As we’ve gone through this project, we
have noticed so much [happening] with clients,”
says Yvonne. “These people used to donate to
pantries and now they’re in need themselves.”
Yvonne is a retired nurse who moved
back to Michigan to enjoy her retirement
but found herself raising another child.
Bev is in a similar situation: caring for five
grandchildren—with limited resources.
Both have struggled and know what it’s
like to “run up against a wall.” “People don’t
want to go through five or ten steps [because] they
will give up,” says Yvonne. Team members
provide quick information and a real
sense of understanding of many of the
challenges faced by the clients they meet.
In addition to meeting with clients, the
Peer Learning Resource team shares their
insights through a monthly newsletter
for clients called “Moving Forward.” The
newsletter gives suggestions, provides
easy-to-create recipes, and alerts clients
to upcoming community events. “We make
time for this because it’s an important service,”
explains Yvonne. This service is one that
she and the team members hope to expand
in the near future, and KLF is grateful for
their commitment.
This statement was created
as part of a ‘12-Word Novel’
challenge to explain what
we do:
KLF provides food
today, so one more
worry goes away.
—LF
913 E Alcott, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001 / P: 269.488.2617 / F: 269.343.3669 / E: info@kzoolf.org / W: kzoolf.org
On a beautiful June evening, clients were served at the
Fresh Fire AME/Sunnyside UMC Mobile Pantry site.
KLF’s Mobile Pantry
Helps Expand Capacity
During Busy Weeks
T
he last two weeks of every month
are our busiest ones. Food stamps,
social security, and other limited,
monthly financial resources simply run
out for many people. In 2006, KLF began
operating the Mobile Pantry six evenings
during the last two weeks of April through
November.
In addition to expanded hours and service
capacity offered at our site-based pantries,
the Mobile Pantry is filling gaps in under-
served areas of our community during
weeks of exceptionally high demand.
Like all of our pantries, the Mobile Pantry
is volunteer staffed.
In June, The Mobile Pantry served 85
households, totalling 145 adults and 121
children out of a total of 2,009 house-
holds (3,112 adults and 2,486 children.)
This hard-working Youth Group (and advisor) from
Bethel Baptist came to the KLF Warehouse and sorted
LOTS of the food collected during the Letter Carriers’
Food Drive in May. They played an important role in
our efforts to distribute food to hungry people . . .
and had fun, too. Many thanks!
Page 2
World Food Day in
October Offers Learning
Opportunities
W orld Food Day,
a program of
the Food and
Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations,
will be celebrated on
October 16. This world-
wide event is designed to increase awareness
and understanding of hunger around the
world, and promote informed, year-around
action to alleviate hunger.
KLF has educational materials and activ-
ities available for schools, and youth and
adult groups, to incorporate into their
curriculum or programming. Please call
Sue VanderMeer at 269-488-2617, ext. 213,
for more information.
Sam Lealofi, board chair, and Anne Lipsey,
executive director, accept generous donation
from the Kalamazoo Kings during the
Independence From Hunger event.
Independence From
Hunger—Fun For All
T
here was a great turn out for
the 2nd Annual Independence
From Hunger (IFH) food drive,
fundraiser, and family-fun baseball game
with the Kalamazoo Kings on July 5.
Over $1,300 was raised from ticket sales
and monetary donations, and over 1,000
lbs of food was donated.
KLF would like to thank everyone who
participated and helped make it all possible,
especially Allen Chapel AME Choir (for
singing the National Anthem), Artwear
Apparel, Pfizer, Rollerworld, J.M. Wilson,
WKZO, and above all, the Kalamazoo
Kings. Fun and generosity prevailed!
Page 3
Volunteer Corner
For more information, contact
Sue VanderMeer 269.488.2617, 209
l Open Orientation
Upcoming Open Orientations are
September 9, October 14, and
November 11 at 11 a.m. at KLF.
Are you interested in learning more
about KLF’s mission and how you can
contribute your talents and time to
helping fulfill it? At Open Orientation,
you’ll find out who we are, who we serve,
how we serve them, and how you can
help. Whether you have a few hours or
several hours every week, opportunities
are available and training is provided.
Current positions include:
l Call Center
Committed individuals with good com-
munications skills who can operate a
multiline phone and computer database
ase are needed the last two weeks of each
month from 9-12 or 12-3. These individ-
uals will take calls from people requesting
emergency food assistance and direct
them to an open pantry to receive service.
This position is for volunteers who can
dedicate time on a regular basis.
l Receptionist
Individuals with good communications
skills who enjoy greeting visitors, oper-
ating a multi-line phone, and some
computer skills are needed. Shifts are
Monday–Friday: 8–12 or 12–4, and
requires a minimum three (3) month
commitment.
l Second Saturdays
KLF will be open on Saturdays Septem-
ber 13, October 11, and November 8,
from 9 a.m.–noon, to accept food
donations and offer volunteer projects.
We encourage people who share KLF’s
mission, and aren’t available during our
normal hours of operation, to get
involved. A brief orientation will be
provided for volunteers new to KLF.
913 E Alcott, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001 / P: 269.488.2617 / F: 269.343.3669 / E: info@kzoolf.org / W: kzoolf.org
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–August 2008
You Can Make A Difference
For more information, please contact
Jennifer Johnson 269.488.2617, ext. 213
l Buy: As you plan your shopping OUR GOAL:
list for this next school year, be sure Food Security—Access by
to include these kid-friendly items.
all people to enough food
August: Spaghetti w/Meat for an active, healthy life—
Sauce every day.
September: 100% Fruit Juice
Your Lasting Legacy
l Save: Taking home groceries Do you hope a time will come when no
from pantries can be a challenge for one in Kalamazoo County, or anywhere,
clients. Paper or plastic grocery bags
is hungry? We sure do. Unfortunately,
are needed and can be dropped off at
the KLF warehouse between 8–4, the need for emergency food resources
Monday through Friday. is greater than ever, and not going away.
There is a way for you to help.
l Do: Is your group looking for a A gift to KLF in your estate plan can
volunteer project this fall? Consider
make your commitment to food support
collecting food and/or money in
honor of Michigan Harvest Gathering– for hungry people part of your legacy.
Give Local, the statewide celebration Please call Anne Lipsey at 269-488-2617,
honoring harvest time in our great ext. 208, to talk about your legacy dreams
state of Michigan. and plans.
KLF Summer Giving Coupon
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
August 2008 – Coupon #62
Amount $__________
Many families and children are preparing to begin the next school year.
Attach this coupon to your monetary donation and support local children
seeking emergency food assistance.
Please send your contribution by August 25.
KLF Fall Giving Coupon
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
September 2008 – Coupon #63
Amount $__________
Attach this coupon to your monetary donation and it will count
toward the 2008 Michigan Harvest Gathering—Give Local campaign, which begins
September 8 at the Capital in Lansing and continues through November 12.
Please send your contribution by September 24.
 FoodforThought–August 2008 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
Webwite: 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 Thank you to all who honored loved ones with gifts to KLF. The following gifts were received between April 11 and July 14, 2008.
If your gift arrived after July 14, it will appear in the next newsletter.

Gifts in honor of:

Richard Allers . Harold Bahlke . Vernon Bennett, Jr. . Barbara Bowers . Betty Bowers . Marjorie Brady . Floyd & Helen Burkey . Daniel Caswell .
Max Caswell . John Chandler . Diane Churchill . Marvin Cripe . Tom Crooks . Marguerite Day . Doris Dinda . James Evans .
Jeanne Maltby Fahrenbach . Jack H. Fisher . George “Bud” Fitzgerald . Sara Jane (Taylor) Geary . Ruth F. Gibbons . John Marvin Grostic .
Samuel Halpert . Leon Hillman . Alex Jaco . Jerry Duane Johnson . Leonard “ Lenny” Koets . Marguerite Kolb . Lance Lambert . Virginia May Lyons .
Victor Marcon . Fred Miller . Harold Newton . John T. Northrop . Jaime Oorbeck . Amber & Harold Pangle . Tom Rix . Patrick Robinson .
Lloyd T. Scites . Joani Siwik . Francis L. Smith . Shirley A. Smith . Maxine M. Spero . James Stephenson . Klazina Steward . Donald Swanson .
John & Jo Veld . Robert Wallace . Mrs. Westbrook . Harold Wolbers

Gifts in memory of:

Rachelle Bennett’s graduation/Indiana University . Marian Brinkert/Mother’s Day . Jan Bundy/Mother’s Day .
Judy & Ray Croasdale’s 50th wedding anniversary . Sis DeWitt/Mother’s Day . Nancy Fette’s retirement from Portage Public Schools .
First United Methodist Church & 175 years of ministry & service in the community . Jean Flower’s birthday .
Gloria Gavner & Orley Vaughn’s marriage . Fran & Dick Glass’s 50th wedding anniversary . Richard (Dick) Glass’s 78th birthday .
Charlene & George Herzog’s birthdays . Dick Hutson’s birthday . Robert Kaplan’s 6th birthday . Sallie Kittredge . Margaret Koets’s 90th birthday .
Carl & Alice Mastin’s 50th wedding anniversary . Sister Sue McCrery, CSJ’s Doctor of Ministry Degree . Bill & Helen Neff’s 60th wedding anniversary .
Craig Panse’s 70th birthday . Nora Powell’s birthday . Victoria Scheuer & Thomas Conner, III’s marriage . Martha Simpson .
Tom & Char Stohrer’s 40th wedding anniversary . Margaret (Peg) Strong’s birthday . Howard & Dolores Wilcox’s 50th wedding anniversary

Board of Directors Staff/Business Office 269.488.2617 ext. .

Jan Brown Chris Kenney Dick Anson, Warehouse Assistant 211 Jennifer Johnson, Communications Coordinator 213
Leatta Byrd Cheryl Knapp Art Cole, Services Director 207 Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator 214
Patricia Carlin Sam Lealofi Toney Duckett, Call Center Team Leader 201 Marv King, Food Director 211
George Erickcek Donna McClurkan Linda Fitzgerald, Administrative Assistant 206 Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director 208
Robert Ezelle Harvey Myers George Geissel, Bookkeeper 206 Bobbe A. Luce, Com/Dev Director 213
Bruce Gelbaugh Helen Norris Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director 212 Shelley Markle, Warehouse Assistant 211
Martin Glista Maija Petersons Phyllis Hepp, Project Planner 210 Sue VanderMeer, Volunteer/Events Coordinator 209
Lynn Jessel Martha Simpson Lou Hoekstra, Warehouse Assistant 211