February 2010

FoodforThought
Inside This Issue Reweaving The Safety Net
Meijer’s Holiday Giving 2 We’re all in this together— and we countless. Unemployment. Underem-
Feinstein Challenge 2010 2
can help each other. Nearly a year ago at ployment. Drug abuse. Mental illness.
our last annual meeting, students from Credit card problems. Health problems.
Kids Feeding Kids 2 Kalamazoo Central High School helped Just bad luck. Hunger is so complex and
KLF/WMUK/KCF Partnership 2 those in attendance act out ‘Stone Soup.’ so vast that nobody can put an exact
This ancient tale was retold from an number on how many people in Michi-
Volunteer Opportunities 3
Eastern perspective wherein the fright- gan are struggling, although no one dis-
Ways You Can Help in 2010 3 ened villagers, long ravaged by harsh putes the problem is growing.”
28th Annual Meeting times, open their hearts and their cup- Your support, whether in contribu-
& Potluck Supper 4 boards, and in making a simple soup tions of food, time, or cash, is an es-
meal, ‘find how much they each have sential ingredient in this community’s
to give --- and how much more comes Stone Soup. Every day we hear from
Fast Fact: back in return.’ volunteers and donors how their gift of
Times are tough in Michigan. From time, food or cash provides them with
Record breaking year at unemployment to child poverty the sta- a bounty of blessings. There is some-
tistics are bad, indeed some of the worst thing incredible about food and clearly,
KLF: 77,137 people served in the nation. And, in the midst of the through the act of sharing, both giver
consisting of 26,963 most challenging economic times in and receiver are nourished.
decades, there is also some incredible In 2009, the Kalamazoo Loaves &
households, 44,622 adults, community building underway. This Fishes Grocery Pantry Program served
and 32,298 children. year, our annual fund drive asked peo- more than 77,000 people. In 2010 we
ple to join us in Feeding Community/ expect to be challenged to repeat that
Feeding Hope. While the numbers are feat and in partnership to find new ways
not yet final, there has been an amazing to get emergency food into the hands
Remember: response to this request. People have
dug deep recognizing that together we
of our neighbors in need. Be assured
that together we will, in the midst of
can, and do, make a difference for and these hard times, continue to open our
Your donation could
with each other. hearts and our cupboards to people in
be stretched further by The Detroit Free Press reports: need and in doing so build a stronger,
“Hunger is a symptom, like a fever that more vital community.
applying for a matching comes with the flu. The causes are – Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director
gift from your employer.
Talk to your A “Nice” Holiday Thanks to Lori Moore
WKZO’s Lori Moore has done it again! The
HR representative 2009 Potluck Pals Naughty & Nice holiday
today! cookbook sale brought in a grand total of
$22,064 for Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
Over $8,000 of that was collected in just
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes one night! In total, Lori and WKZO
913 E Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 staff collected more than $60,000 for
Business: 269.488.2617 / Fax: 269.343.3669
local service agencies.
Food: 269.343•3663 / Email: info@kzoolf.org
Thanks to Lori Moore and all
Website: kzoolf.org of her potluck pals for helping
hungry people!
 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–February 2010 Page 2

Local Partner Meijer Delivers KLF Partners

during Holiday Season with WMUK and
KLF extends a big “thank you” to local Meijer stores for their most recent the Kalamazoo
“Simply Give” program donations. Not only were local shoppers able to
contribute while they shopped over the holidays but Meijer matched all Community
donations collected. Thank you, Meijer, for really making a difference! Foundation
Meijer – Gull Rd: $4,980
Meijer – Shaver Rd: $1,880
Meijer – Westnedge Ave: $2,930 and a $500 gift card

The Feinstein Foundation

Help End Hunger in America 37 Alhambra Circle
 Cranston, RI 02905
 (401) 467-5155

13th Annual $1 Million Challenge

Give between March 1 and April 30 to help KLF earn part of the
Did you know that you can support
$1 million Feinstein Challenge award.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and the
See www.kzoolf.org for more details. people we serve through a contribution
to WMUK’s 2010 Spring Fund Drive?
WMUK, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes,
Kids Feeding Kids and the Kalamazoo Community
Foundation have joined together for the
Food donations make up about 25% of the KLF warehouse. During the 2009
Partnership for Hunger Relief pledge drive.
holiday season (November & December), area kids donated nearly 15,000 pounds
of non-perishable food items to KLF programs. With the notion that everyone Although the on-air fund drive will
should have enough to eat, elementary through high school students contributed run from March 20 to March 26, you
whatever they could so that local children and their families weren’t hungry during can make an online pledge to WMUK
the holidays. Kudos to kids from the following schools: (www.wmuk.org) anytime until then
Galesburg-Augusta Intermediate School 37 lbs Gull Lake High School 2906 lbs that will activate a donation from the
Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center 579 lbs Gull Lake Middle School 1443 lbs Kalamazoo Community Foundation
Kalamazoo Central High School 5293 lbs Kalamazoo Christian High School 425 lbs (KCF) to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
Kalamazoo Christian West Elementary 1408 lbs Mattawan Middle School 417 lbs that equals 10% of your gift. For example,
Montessori School- Richland 143 lbs Parchment Central Elementary School 270 lbs a gift of $100 to WMUK activates a gift
Portage Northern High School 1136 lbs Reformed Heritage Christian School 128 lbs of $10 from KCF to Kalamazoo Loaves
Ryan Intermediate School 334 lbs St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish 206 lbs & Fishes, at no extra cost to you. If and
Winchell Elementary School 113 lbs when WMUK reaches a total of $150,000
in their pledge drive, an additional $5,000
will be donated from the Foundation to
KLF, for a grand total of $20,000.
Through a single gift of any size, you
have the opportunity to support two
important Kalamazoo area service
providers, working together to build
a stronger community. By going to
www.wmuk.org you can make a qualifying
gift online right now.
For more information, contact Jennifer
Kalamazoo Central High School Stuff the Bus 12/19/09
at KLF (488-2617 ext. 213) or Gordon
Bolar at WMUK (387-5719).

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

Page 3 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–February 2010

The KLF Looking for ways to help in 2010?

Volunteer 1. Collect high protein food items for the Grocery Pantry Program
like canned meat (spam, tuna, chicken), ravioli, main meal dishes
Department
(beef stew, hearty soups, pre-packaged dishes). These foods
Food and money provide important nutrients that might not otherwise be received.
aren’t the only
2. Raise dollars in a new and different way.
ways you can help
KLF; time is one of • Host a party where the theme is “giving back.” Ask each guest
our most valuable to bring a donation for KLF.
resources. With a • Organize a “jeans day” in your office. Employees can donate
small staff and a $1, $2, or $5 in exchange for dressing casual.
big mission, every
• Save money that you would normally spend on lunch or coffee
extra hand helps.
and bring a brown bag or thermos. At the end of the week,
To learn about
donate your savings online to KLF’s programs.
upcoming volunteer
opportunities, call • For a birthday or special occasion, donate in your loved one’s
Seema Jolly at name instead of buying a gift.
488-2617 ext. 209 or • Donate $200 as an individual, or $400 as a couple, and
send her an email at receive the Michigan Food Bank tax credit. Talk to your
seema@kzoolf.org. financial advisor for more details.

Remember:
KLF February Giving Coupon
Your ongoing support is
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
February 2010 – Coupon #79 important to KLF. It’s
Amount $ never too soon to think
KLF can feed one person for four days for just $4. See how far your about Planned Giving.
contribution can go by donating to KLF’s Grocery Pantry Program today.
See wwww.kzoolf.org for
Please send your contribution by February 24
more information.

KLF March Giving Coupon As you are filling your

913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 shopping cart, please consider
March 2010 – Coupon #80
shopping for and donating
Amount $ these high demand items:
KLF can secure cereal for just $.09 per pound.
Your donation can help get nutritious food to hungry
families and individuals who need it. February - Beef Stew
Please send your contribution by March 24 March - Ravioli

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

 FoodforThought–February 2010 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

28th Annual Meeting & Potluck Supper

Monday, April 12, 2010, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Hope Reformed Church HOPE REFORMED
910 Jenks Road 910 JENKS

Kalamazoo, MI 49006
ALTHEA
NICHOLS

COOLIDGE

GRAND PRE

JENKS

N. FLETCHER

Agenda:
KENWOOD
Volunteer Awards & Recognition
WEALTHY

JENNISON

PINEHURST

Membership or Directorship? (Structure Decision) WES

TM
AIN

Board Member Elections WEST MAIN

SOLON

KENDALL

Please bring a dish to pass.

Tableware and beverages will be provided.
RSVP to Seema at 488-2617 ext 209, or seema@kzoolf.org

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 Joan Atwell, Call Center Lead 201 Seema Jolly, Volunteer Coordinator 209
Robert Ezelle Harvey Myers Melissa Burel, Data Entry Gift Processor 206 Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator 214
Bruce Gelbaugh Helen Norris Art Cole, Services Director 207 Marv King, Food Director 211
Martin Glista Maija Petersons George Geissel, Bookkeeper 206 Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director 208
Lynn Jessel Martha Simpson Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director 212 Kimberly Schoetzow, Comm. Coordinator 218
Cheryl Knapp Phyllis Hepp, Project Planner 210 Scott Spicer, Call Center Lead 201
Lou Hoekstra, Warehouse Assistant 211 Sue VanderMeer, Call Center Team Leader 201