Food Is Fuel Campaign Progress

LesLie navigating the unexpectedLeslie started utilizing Loaves & Fishes’ services one year ago when her “family didn’t have enough food to get [them] through the week.” Working as an Administrative Assistant, she has two young daughters, ages four and six years. Leslie explained with a look of determination, “My top priority is to make sure my children get a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.”

She started working full-time in November and has been spending more money on childcare, especially during the summer months. She shared, “We spend a lot of money on childcare and that really shrinks our grocery budget.” This week, she had car trouble, which cut into both her grocery budget AND childcare budget: “There are always unexpected things that come up that need fixing. This service helps me stay afloat when unexpected expenses eat into our grocery budget.” She is meticulous about maintaining a budget to make ends meet, but when she tries to work more hours, it results in having to pay more for childcare. She only uses Loaves & Fishes’ services when she “absolutely needs it.” She explained with deep gratitude how, “This service gives us just the extra security we need to feel secure.”

41%

100% Goal

As of July 15, we are

41 percent towards

our fund-raising

goal for the Food is

Fuel Kids Campaign,

a campaign to end

childhood hunger in

the summer!

To donate, visit

www.kzoolf.org.Name changed for anonymity

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015

MAKE An IMPACT TIP For August/September:

Use Our Conference Room to host board meetings, community

forums, and other events. We welcome all Kalamazoo residents

to utilize this space and build community with us!

NOTE FROM JENIf you’re an avid reader of our newsletter, you may have noticed a difference in our layout. We will now feature a client story on our front page. We want the layout of our newsletter to reflect our commitment to putting the clients first.

We share client stories to put a face and voice to the 1 out of 6 people in Kalamazoo County who struggle with hunger. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes’ client stories are not just stories of nameless people who are food insecure. They are stories of your neighbor down the street who can’t keep up with car payments this month, the college student struggling to pay out-of-state tuition, the single mother working multiple jobs, the grandma whose hospital bills are becoming unmanageable, or the young couple who is having trouble securing a steady paycheck. Our client stories are not just snapshots of people struggling to make ends meet; rather they are stories of people with strength and resilience who receive our services in a dignified manner. We aim to provide our clients with direct services while working for systematic change so every resident in Kalamazoo County can not only survive, but also thrive! We thank you for your continued support to make Kalamazoo a community that thrives.

BECOME AN ADVOCATE Childhood hunger is an issue of special concern to

our community. Half of the children in our Kalamazoo County school districts qualify for free or reduced-price

meals – and we know that children under six are hit even harder. That’s why KLF is paying close attention to the Child Nutrition & WIC Reauthorization Bill. The 2010 bill is due to expire September 30, and we’re expecting

the following political arguments at a national level:What qualifies as a vegetable? Would block grant

funding result in fewer dollars to put toward feeding low-income youth or could it actually improve lunch

programs? What about all of the other nutrition programs that impact children?

As politicians debate, KLF staff will keep “e-Advocates” aware of the issues and encourage writing, emailing or phoning our political leaders

so that children in our community – and across the country - benefit. If you are interested in being an

e-Advocate, please call Phyllis at 269-488-2617 or email Advocacy@kzoolf.org. You will be put on our list of

community residents who want a voice in public policy that builds a food secure community.

WHERE DOES THE FOOD COME FROM?

We secure food from a variety of sources so we can feed thousands of people as affordably as possible. The Food Bank of South Central Michigan (FBSCM) is our link to the national charitable food supplier Feeding America as well as some USDA product.

Through this partnership, we are able to obtain significant low to no cost food. Wholesale purchases ensure we have quality food that provides the nutritional value we are dedicated to providing. Stores and food vendors frequently have safely edible food that they can no longer sell due to imperfections. Instead of letting this food go to waste, we pick up this food and distribute it those in need through our food rescue efforts. We have excellent relationships with local farmers who provide us donated or low-cost produce and fresh goods. Community food drives are held by large corporations, elementary schools and churches for Loaves & Fishes throughout the year. We do our best to improve low-food costs, but our food sources can be volatile depending on the time of the year. We never know when vendors will have extra produce. Receiving food from community food drives provides more variety in our pantries, but during the summer months that variety decreases when less people hold food drives. Farmers provide us healthy fresh goods, but their crop depends on so many variables. We do our best to keep food costs low, but there are many factors outside of our control. Fortunately for us, we are in an agricultural haven with a generous community that provides foods, funds, and volunteer time to help us keep our shelves stocked for those

most in need of food.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: PFIZER’S FOODLESS FOOD DRIVEWith just a few weeks of preparation, Pfizer conducted a one-day, campus-wide employee campaign on December 17, 2014. It was a great success with just over $16,000 raised between employee gifts and the Pfizer corporate match. However, the dedicated planning committee, led by Jan Van Schaik and Patrick Herzog, right away began thinking of ways to improve their fund drive efforts. They scheduled the 2015 drive for June 24th when our need is the highest and then recruited planning committee members from all Pfizer departments. Starting in late spring, the committee met weekly over their lunch hour to discuss logistics and publicity. The committee even filmed an educational video at one of the Loaves & Fishes’ pantries featuring Pfizer employees who volunteer weekly at that site. Through the dedication of the committee and the generosity of the employees, the 2015 Pfizer Foodless Food Drive brought in nearly $27,000! Resource Development Director, Greta Faworski, shared, “Working with Pfizer was an amazing experience. Their organized approach to facing

hunger as a unified force was quite impressive. We are so grateful to their contribution

to the community!”

Join the Movement!Are you interested in helping make

Kalamazoo a hunger-free community?

We’ve got a place for you! Attend

a brief volunteer orientation to get

started.

Volunteer Orientation dates:

Saturday, August 8th

Wednesday, August 26th

Saturday, September 12th

Sign up with our Volunteer

Coordinator, Cherise Buchanan at

269.488.2617 ext. 209 or at cherise@

kzoolf.org.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR

Every month, we shine the spotlight on a volunteer

who has shown a deep commitment to working

towards a hunger-free community. We would like

to showcase the following volunteers who were

recognized this past fiscal year between

July 2014-June 2015 for their extraordinary

volunteering efforts:

Bob Warner Caitlinn Cochran

Marilyn Luther Pat Shiley

Bryan Stapert Lucia Leonardelli

Susan Leversee Steve Chervenal

Kenneth Noppen Mary Schardt

Joyce Alphenaar Gayle Stephonson

CONGRATULATIONS!

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!

KLF AUGUST GIVING COUPONAMOUNT $ ________________

August is one of our highest times of need. Thank you for keeping our shelves full!

Please send in your contribution by August 14th.

AUGUST2015

COUPON #143

KLF SEPTEMBER GIVING COUPONAMOUNT $ ________________

School is back in session. Send in your support to fuel the next generation of leaders!

Please send in your contribution by September 18th.

FOOD WISH LIST

August: Whole grain pastas

September:Canned meat

Did you know that with just $1, KLF can feed a person three meals for a day? Please consider making a fund donation as well.

SEPTEMBER2015

COUPON #144

TRIBUTES 5/2/15— 7/3/15 Special thanks to those who honor friends and family through contributions to KLF!In Honor Of Lucy Ankenbauer Mark & Ann McLainSusan Barrons Barbara CappaertSue Beadling Bob and Jean ChristieMichael Burkholz Michael Palmer & Barbara Graham-PalmerNancy & Ron Crowell Millie LambertDavid DeShon

Jachanan & Mabel SteneshNancy Diment Lisa PanepentoJackie Dotson Larry & Nancy JonesEmployees of Global Clinical Connections Global Clinical ConnectionsFaith Temple Church of God Howard & Robyn RobinsonGlista Family Robin & Steve PollensRuth Evelyn Graham Michael Palmer & Barbara Graham-PalmerMsnr. Michael Hazard Joyce K. ThranRichard Hutson Beth & David CookLayla Jaboori Mr. Jeffrey RostamiOur daughters, Jill & Jennifer Jane & Jeff PuvogelLaura & Joe Jon RiccioJennifer Johnson Jon RiccioDeb Josephson Dolores HeidanusJoanne Krell Scott & Janet NykazaMrs. Elizabeth U. Mason Dan & Judy SmithJohn & Margaret Merrion Chuck & Tucky McCarthy ElliottHelen Norris Mike & Charlotte DennisonJeff & Judy Smith Joyce & Marshall DraperPatricia Stromsta Amy AndersonStryker Mapping Standards Workgroup Scott HelmersTom & Jan Van Valey Marie & Fred ZuidemarRobert Wagner Molly WagnerMaLinda Webster DaVonnah WoodruffRev. Greg & Beverly Wood Carol E. Bailey-Pellowe

In Memory OfRobert P. Amrhein Jerome & Kathleen AmrheinDorothy Anderson Marjorie & Edward HartmannBette Anderton Joy Anderton Carl & Gale DeKleineMr. William Benson Barbara & Robert FelkelGordon Boltjes Janice DrolenDelores Bosker Richard & Marcia GroenheidePatrecia Breen Kay BaetsenLen Bridge Geraldine K. BridgeMaxine Brown Ron & Margaret StrzeleckiDorothy Butch

Don & Lois Allard Melinda Boccia Bill & Frances Dickey Disability Network Southwest

Michigan Henry & Sara Houseman Pauline Houtkooper Judy Jollif fe Kathryn Kistler Peter & Charlene Marsiglia Dawn McDonald Richard Nendorf Susan & Philip Richards Fran Ryan Craig & Jayne Vander MolenSusan Buxton Roger & Gayle Finder Janis Frizzo Rosemary Green Eric & Betsy Kent Risky Business Investment Club Tom & Char Stohrer Marla WilliamsRobert Cauchy Peggy CauchyKaren Cernik Joseph J. CernikNicasio G. Chung Lauretta R. Cillan-ChungAnn Churchill Jerry ChurchillJohn Cleasby Joyce CleasbyPatricia Coleman Liz RoelofsAl Crandle Nancy CrandleRichard Crawley

Shirley & Allan Heavey

Gerene Cronen Lois Blakeslee Doug & Tami Dommert Michael & Jody Fitzpatrick Erin & Andrea Gallagher Emery StickanTom Crooks

Martha VandelindeAlice Davis Carole NewburryVeronica (Ronnie) DeBack Barbara DeBackJames, Lucille and Joseph Dillon Colleen M. BergerJackie Donovan Sally & William BirchLinda Evans

Irene EvansMary Ellen Evans Irene EvansJohn P. Flynn Fran FlynnMary Forrester Alan ForresterJere’ Geisenhaver Mark & Anne Langlois Richard & Patricia MorscheckDr. Robert W. Grossman Sue GrossmanRudy Hanson Larry & Nancy JonesMargaret & John Heath Ronald & Donna HolmesGeorge Hobbs Marguerite ClayRichard Hoffman

Emily HoffmanMary Ann Horton Marjorie & Barry Horton Patricia A. Huberty Adam Denver & Heather

Jackson Danny & Carol Ann Jackson Lawton Evangelical Mennonite

Church Gerald & Marjorie Longjohn Sylvia McKeown Molitor Family Foundation Mol-son Jean Sech Larry Shannon Larry & Louise Taft Beverly Berge & Ray Vinson Michael & Kelly Vinson Dean & Lori WeurdingRuthann Humphrey Stephen HumphreyDennis Hutchins Mary HutchinsMarcia Jackson Harry & Carol MadisonJJ Jarrett Jay Jarrett

Caleb Johnson Muriel JohnsonRichard L. Ketelaar II Dorothy J. KetelaarDr. James B. Kilway Neoma KilwayMarguerite Kolb Grant KolbLance Lambert Martha VandelindeNin Lee Phil Vander WegLinda Mary Renauld Lutz Robert & Norberta RenauldMaxine Louden Lori KluttsColleen Magnan Jim MagnanViolet Maki Maria Maki & Brian SmithJohn Mann John & Diane Borlik Nancy J. Mann Joyce & David TraderWilliam Manson Mike & Carol BlalockDiane MartinRobert & Loree BagleyPaul & Mildred Matyas Luvina Alvarez & David MatyasJackie McMahon

Mary GucmaKatie Metheny Dr. James Bradford & Mrs. Julie

Sanderson Bradford Jan & Quinter Burnett II MD John & Deborah Dockweiler Karen & Stu Eddy Joseph & Sandra Frauenheim Robert Koplan William & Susan Kovats Sandra L. Kuentzel Colleen Lamble James & Enola Lininger Christian Loubeau Barry & Carolyn Packard Brian Seide Steven & Ann Soper Alvin & Barbara Strong Nick YaremaKathy Mizeur Vincent Mizeur Gale & Kathleen NewellCarol Modderman Gary & Jenny HetrickDaniel Moerman Duane & Ida VerschoofMr. & Mrs. Lenard Molhoek Eleanor BosscherJackie Nemedi

Kay Dunfield Ron NemediJaimie Oorbeck

Martha Vandelinde

Thomas Oorbeck Jean A. OorbeckFrank Ossiff Jr. D. Ossiff & G. HansenRick Ostericher Nancy Fish-StoneLou Pape

Joseph & Irene Atkinson Mary & Robert Butler David & Shari Davis Michael & Janice Jowett Barbara & Richard Ley Michele Moleski Ian Murillo Carter Pape Linda Pape Nancy & Mark Reile Brian Schmall Robert & Sandra Slutz Tom & Carol Speese Terry Tessari John & Mary WhyteDiana Pfauth William & Patricia OswaltGerald L. Pochyla Inez PochylaErik Pugh Cynthia & Ronald StonerockAntonia H. Rostami Mr. Jeff Rostami Mr. Jonathan SkinnerDarrell M. Rostami Mr. Jeff RostamiF.L. “Bill” Reed Rebecca R. LaBelleVirginia Reenders Doug & Kathleen ReendersJim Reish Frances ReishJessica Renauld Robert & Norberta RenauldOswald & Alvina Renauld Robert & Norberta RenauldMilo and Frances Rifenberg R. A. RifenbergMary Roche Jan WalunasJoe Santek Margaret & David RiceMarilyn Scheel John F. ScheelDr. Peter Schmitt Beverly SchmittMartin & Emma Schmitt Robert & Norberta RenauldMary Von Schneiner Paula Gorenstein Mary Lou & Win Todd Katie WelserFoster L Sherwood Jr Marjorie SherwoodJoani Siwik Christine J. Siwik Edward & Pamela Siwik

Francis L. Smith Judy & Jeffrey SmithJohn P. Smith Marilyn J. SmithRobert E. Snell Grant KolbSandra Snow Amy Snow-Buckner & Michael

BucknerTom Sonday Charlotte HubbardPearl Marie Renauld Stone &

Douglas Stone Robert & Norberta RenauldAarend & Verl Stoppelberg Kathleen FleeceJanis Sverns Kristine HansonC. James & Winona Swope Paul & Diana SwopeFrank Szopo III Keith & Paula Aldridge Jeffrey & Linda Bechtel Laura Booth Rachel Frank Diane Goldman James & Pamela Hall Agnes Hughes Dean & Nancy Kelley Patricia Lesiak Roger & Lois Loeffler T. Alden Miller Dori Monitz Jean L. Ogilvie Michael & Frances Peikert Barbara Peterson Robin & Steve Pollens Joy & Ike Porter Richard & Linda Ricca Alex Gold & Chandler Rough Gary & Judith Sabo Barbara Shuster Robert Wood & Collette SmithDavid Thomas Corky O’Rourke ThomasRose VanDussen James StaffordAl & Geri Vickery Davor & Deborah NovoselRoon Visser Olga Visser Ineke F. WayJudy Vliek Margaret Baber Ted VliekJoan Wallace Nancy HamiltonMaLinda Webster Nancy HamiltonDon and Ruth Wisser Judy & Jeffrey Smith

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEART OF THE ORGANIZATION!

Volunteers are a critical component in our ability to feed hungry people. We rely on more than 450 volunteers each week to support nearly every aspect of our operation. Scheduling pantry appointments for those in need, delivering food to pantries, greeting guests at our reception desk, stocking shelves, and helping with special events—these are just some of the many ways our generous volunteers make a difference. Without such a dedicated volunteer force, we would not be able to continue feeding hungry people. We count our volunteer services as an in-kind donation. For the June 2014-July 2015 fiscal year, our volunteers saved us over $900,000 in labor costs! Thank you volunteers for your endless support in working towards a hunger-free Kalamazoo!

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015

Our MissionKalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry

people and engage our community in the fight to end hunger.

Our ValuesRespect

Diversity & InclusionStewardship & Accountability

IntegrityCollaboration

Urgency

Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director 212Dave Hafer, Warehouse Coordinator 211Phyllis Hepp, Organizational Development Director 210Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director 213Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator 214Marvin King, Food Procurement Specialist 224Ruth Matteson, Call Center Coordinator 201Annie Sajid, Marketing Coordinator 218Jackie Smith, Pantry Coordinator 221Carolyn Tyler, Operations Coordinator 222Laura Winther, Donor Database Coordinator 206

Staff / Business Office269.488.2617 EXT.Joan Atwell, Call Center Coordinator 201Cherise Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator 209Paul Bushek, Warehouse Assistant 211Art Cole, Services Director 207Joe Cook, Warehouse Assistant 211Bob Dekker, Warehouse Assistant 211Greta Faworski, Resource Development Director 208Linda Fox, Call Center Assistant 201Joe Galaviz, Warehouse Assistant 211

Connect With Us:

www.facebook.com/ KalamazooLoavesAndFishes

www.twitter.com/ KzoLoavesFishes

You Are InvIted to KLF’s shIFtIng the Lens: exposIng LocAL Food InsecurItY photo exhIbItIon!

KLF Client Advocates have created a photo exhibition for the August Art Hop in Kalamazoo. KLF Client Advocates captured photos of their lived realities struggling with food security – in times of plenty and times of hunger.

“Shifting the Lens: Exposing Local Food Insecurity Photo Exhibition” is a series of thought-provoking snapshots taken by KLF Client Advocates. Each picture presents a compelling and nuanced story about food justice in Kalamazoo County.

Join us on Friday, August 7th from 5:30-8 pm in the 2nd Floor Atrium of the Epic Center (359 S Kalamazoo Mall)!

901 PORTAGE STREETKALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN 49001-3005

FOOD REQUEST LINE: 269/343-3663P 269/488-2617 · F 269/343-3669

WWW.KZOOLF.ORG

NONPROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDKALAMAZOO MIPERMIT NO. 1693