INSIDE

Empty Bowls Feeds Hungry Kids NALC Food Drive a Success Food is Fuel: Your Chance to Help Grow ItGive it: Fresh Produce Needed Legislators Asked to Protect Programs Thank You to Stryker and Grainger JUNE 2012

Fast Facts

HOT TOWN, SUMMER IN THE CITY...

Summer is the time of abundance and energy. We look forward to fresh food from the garden like strawberries, tomatoes, and green beans. We relax into longer days and with windows open, enjoy the sounds of children at the playground across the street. But what we dont always hear are the hungry bellies of so many kids, or see the empty cupboards at so many homes in our neighborhoods. Too many local kids and their families face a daily struggle for food security. With school out and limited access to school-based meals, children are even less able to get the food they need. Here at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, you bless us with a bounty of fresh foods, yet were still challenged with peak service demand. IF I THINK ABOUT WHAT With your help, we spend summer days I NEED TO DO, working extra hard to get food into the I FEEL TIRED. hands of our hungry friends and neighbors IF I THINK ABOUT WHY, across this communityparticularly into I FEEL PUMPED. childrens hands. Food is Fuelour summer fund and food PURPOSE IS MY raising effortis one way in which we add ENERGY DRINK. energy and resources into this challenging season. This year, our goal is to raise $50,000 and collect 25,000 lbs. of food. Were hoping to reach 15,000 kidsthe same number of children living below the poverty level in Kalamazoo County. Why is this so important right now? Why cant a campaign like this wait? In August 2010, Time magazine reported that the effects of childhood hunger last for decades...Going hungry is a major contributor to ill health, particularly among children. Food is Fuel is a locally driven effort of prevention. Its an effort to get food into the hands of hungry kids in our community now, rather than trying to undo the damage of hunger years later. Please join us in supporting Food is Fuel this summer. With your help, we will improve not only the immediate health of local kids, but the longterm health of this community. These kids are our purpose for which we dig deep this summer to do this important work.

Over half of kids in the City of Kalamazoo live below the poverty level.

Over 45% of kids in Kalamazoo Public Schools receive free or reducedprice lunch.

About 40% of the people KLF serves through the Grocery Pantry Program are under the age of 18.

FOOD IS FUEL: YOUR CHANCE TO FEED HUNGRY KIDS THIS SUMMER

Are you looking for a tangible way to make a difference this summer? Local kids need your help and through our Food is Fuel Kids Campaign, we're offering you some major opportunities to show up and show your support. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will be hosting a Shop-nDrop food drive at D&W Market Place on Romence Road on Saturday, June 23 from 10 am5 pm. Simply stop by and grab one of our kid wish lists so you know exactly what foods were most in need of. Our truck will be in the parking lot, waiting to be filled with thousands of pounds of food that will help feed kids throughout the summer. Volunteers will also be present to accept any monetary donations. Next, join us as we partner with OnStaff Group and WRKR 107.7 FM for the Dollar Drive Thru fundraiser.

We are thrilled to be participating in a program with such a strong and ethical structure used to ensure our communitys continual growth for our youth. Drive by on July 11 from 6 am6 pm to donate to support hungry kids. One dollar can feed a hungry child for one day through our Grocery Pantry Program. We are pleased to partner with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to assist them in the great work they do in the community, said Mike McKelly of WRKR-FM. WRKR has always looked for ways we can contribute to the betterment of Southwest Michigans residents. With the fine work that Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes does to feed those in need, we hope to provide our resources to help them accomplish their goals. And then finally on Aug. 23, make giving back fun and join the Social Charity Circle philanthropic group at Sky Deck rooftop bar, above Monaco Bay in downtown Kalamazoo.

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Well have four radio remote locations throughout Kalamazoo County on Wednesday, July 11, including one site at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and another at Hardings Fresh Market on S. Westnedge Ave. in Portage. This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and support our children who need energy to concentrate and participate in the world around them, said Emily Turner, Vice President at the OnStaff Group.

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The Entertainment District is hosting the Social Charity Circle event supporting KLF from 69 pm. Everyone who attends the event will get one drink provided by the Reedy Corporation for a $10 donation to KLF. The Social Charity Circle is a unique social group that organizes monthly events to benefit local charities and support local businesses. For more information about this group, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ scckzoo. Donations to KLF are also always accepted via mail, in person, or through our Online Donation Center at www. kzoolf.org. Stay connected for more Food is Fuel updates all summer long.

EMPTY BOWLS FEEDS HUNGRY KIDS

his years Empty Bowls Project was a huge successover 1,000 people joined Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes at three local elementary schools to raise awareness of childhood hunger in our community. Participating schoolsArcadia Elementary, Spring Valley Center for Exploration, and Prairie Ridge Elementarycollectively raised more than $3,100 in donations to support KLFs programs that help feed hungry kids in Kalamazoo County. Funds were collected through a variety of ways, including a silent auction of teacher-made ceramic bowls, a nominal fee for a family meal, and through generous community donations. The student-made ceramic bowls had notes inside reminding people that these works of art are meant to symbolize the thousands of empty bowls kids face every day in our community. Each school also featured a simple meal for families to enjoy, courtesy of Senior Services, Inc. Prairie Ridge Elementarys event also had a portion of the meal donated by local restaurants Fletchers Pub and the Millennium Restaurant Group. Kids and parents alike really enjoyed the variety of foods to choose from. Local business Georges Appliance also contributed to the event with a generous monetary donation. Thank you to the schools, students, guests, and donors who made this years Empty Bowls Project a success. If youre interested in participating next spring as a school or a corporate sponsor, let us know at advocacy@ kzoolf.org.

LETTER CARRIER FOOD DRIVE BRINGS IN OVER 78,000 LBS. OF FOOD

This years National Association of Letter Carriers food drive collected 78,426 lbs. of food, just at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes three donation sites. Pound totals for the entire region were not available at the time of printing. It was a great day for volunteers and staff members to take food donations from the letter carrier trucks and sort them in bins. It was the first year we collected food donations at our new site on Portage Street, and nearly 30,000 lbs. of food came to our doors on Saturday, May 12.

This was a fun opportunity for KLF staff, volunteers, and letter carriers to connect with each other over a common goal of feeding hungry people in this community. Both letter carriers and KLF workers have the unique vantage point of seeing people in need on a routine basis, whether its on their daily routes through neighborhoods or at a pantry site somewhere in the county. Thank you to everyone who donated to the 20th year of the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive. And a big thanks goes out to all of our Local Branch 246 letter carriers. With your help on this important day, thousands of pounds of food donations will now get into the hands of hungry people across Kalamazoo County. If you werent able to participate in this years drive, or if you still have food donations to be donated to KLF, please drop them off to us at 901 Portage St. weekdays between 8 am and 3:30 pm.

Join the Loaves & Fishes Team

Interested in helping Kalamazoo become a hunger-free community? Weve got a place for you! Attend an orientation meeting to get started. VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION DATES: Saturday, June 9 Thursday, June 28 Thursday, July 26 Sign up with our Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Winther: 269/488-2617, ext. 209 laura@kzoolf.org

GROW ITGIVE IT: FRESH PRODUCE NEEDED

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is in need of fresh produce donations this summer, from large-scale commercial farms to small-size home gardens. Thousands of people in Kalamazoo dont have regular access to produce. Thankfully, KLF can offer fresh fruits and vegetables through our Grocery Pantry network and other programs on a daily basis. This growing season, consider donating your surplus produce to KLF. To make an even greater investment, plant a row for the sole purpose of donating to KLFs programs. Fresh items were most in need of include: apples, onions, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash. Contact our warehouse at 343-1616 to coordinate your next produce donation. your own handwritten note, which experience tells us is more impactful. If you have any questions about what or how to communicate to your legislator, call Phyllis Hepp at 488-2617 ext. 210 or email at phyllis@kzoolf.org.

LEGISLATORS ASKED TO PROTECT FOOD PROGRAMS

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and the Peoples Food Co-op hosted a community letter writing workshop on May 20 to write our legislators about a variety of food security issues, including protection of domestic nutrition programs, environmental conservation efforts, sustainable

agriculture practices, and more. Letters were sent to local policymakers, including Rep. Fred Upton, Sen. Carl Levin and Sen. Debbie Stabenow. If you werent able to join us, there's still time to get your message across to policymakers. Several sample letters are available on our advocacy webpage at www.kzoolf.org, as well as some basic facts surrounding crucial safety net programs. You can use our sample letters as a template to create

FOOD WISH LIST

June: July:
100% fruit juice Canned tuna Foods high in protein (6 grams or more) are always needed in our warehouse, too.

KLF June GivinG Coupon

JUNE 2012 COUPON #107
AMOUNT $ _______________ Celebrate Fathers Day on June 17 with a meaningful gift that honors the father figure in your life. Make your donation a tribute by including his name with your gift. Please send your contribution by June 25.

KLF JuLy GivinG Coupon

JULY 2012 COUPON #108
AMOUNT $ _______________ Besides picnics, beach parties, and barbeques, summer can also mean empty stomachs and hungry kids. Help them have a happy summer. Please send your contribution by July 23.

STRYKER EMPLOYEES RALLY FOR KLF

very year, Stryker Inc. supports Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes through a series of employee initiatives, including bake sales, pancake breakfasts, and assembly of kids packs for the Weekend Food Pack Program. This year, Stryker donated $32,100.30 and over 3,300 lbs. of food to support KLFs programs. Their employees rallied together in friendly competitions to really make a difference in the lives of the kids KLF serves. Stryker is very From left: Martha Simpson of KLF, Rachel Christman of passionate about our Stryker, Renee Berlinger of Stryker, Anne Wend Lipsey of community and we love to KLF, Susan Wilson of Stryker, Amy McClain of Stryker, know that were making Marvin King of KLF, Jim Heath of Stryker a difference, said Amy McClain, Senior Events and Community Outreach Associate at Stryker Instruments. Thank you to the employees at Stryker for their time and energy in supporting hungry people in this community. Together, we can all make a difference!

Your Gift is Tax Deductible

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, meaning all contributions made to us are tax deductible by the federal government. The Michigan Food Bank Tax Credit did expire as of Dec. 31, 2011, but your itemized gifts are still eligible for a federal tax credit. Please speak with your personal finance representative for more details on how to make the most of your giving.

Be a Corporate Sponsor
Is your company interested in expanding their community philanthropic efforts? Weve got an opportunity for you that will make a lasting impact. Consider sponsoring a Mobile Food Initaitive distribution site like the Grainger Foundation did. You can also sponsor one of our 25 Grocery Pantry sites throughout the County. Think of how much good we could do together with a corporate gift. Contact Jennifer Johnson at jennifer@kzoolf.org or 488-2617 ext. 213 for details.

GRAINGER SUPPORTS MOBILE FOOD PROGRAM

The local Grainger Foundation has generously supported Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes with a $10,000 gift to sponsor our Mobile Food Initiative program (MFI). KLF operates five distinct food distribution sites throughout the County where local people can receive fresh produce, bread, and frozen meat on a first come first served basis. Graingers dollars will help supply the food for these sites that can feed up to 1,000 individuals a day. Grainger is proud to partner with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to help fill the gap of food assistance needed through the Mobile Food Initiative program, said Carol Hurley, Grainger Branch Manager of Kalamazoo. I appreciated the opportunity to witness firsthand the MFI program in action and see how Graingers support is making a difference in the lives of Kalamazoo community members. The staff at Grainger are doing more than just supporting Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes with this gift. Theyre supporting hundreds of local families who use the MFI program as a way to fill the gaps between paychecks and meals. Thank you to everyone at Grainger for helping provide supplemental emergency food to our neighbors in need.

Carol Hurley of Grainger and Anne Wend Lipsey of KLF

For more information on how to best support Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes through a gift, contact Jon Riccio, donor database coordinator, at 4882617 ext. 206 or jon@kzoolf. org. Let us know if youd like your name removed from our mailing list.

NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID KALAMAZOO MI PERMIT NO. 1693

901 PORTAGE STREET KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN 49001-3005 FOOD REQUEST LINE: 269/343-3663 P 269/488-2617 F 269/343-3669 WWW.KZOOLF.ORG

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry people and engage our community in the fight to end hunger.

Our Mission

Our Values
Compassion Respect Justice Integrity Advocacy

Bette Andertons birthday Robert & Loree Bagleys family Robert W. Barr Jan Bis 95th birthday Jessica Blacks father Bronsons Nursing staff Janice Bundys birthday Ardis De Does birthday Sheri Fitchs birthday Mrs. Ides 2011/12 third grade class Laurie Jefsen John & Sallys wedding Kalamazoo Central High School class of 1954 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes 30th anniversary Bill Kettenbeil Anne Wend Lipsey Mara & Sloane McClellan Pastor Scott Oberle Heather Olson & Randy Schmitts marriage

IN HONOR OF

TRIBUTES 3/1/2012 4/30/2012 Special thanks to those who honor friends and family through contributions to KLF.
Maija Petersons Christs sacrifice Isabella Claire Pressley Diane Churchill Jill Reynolds Gene Clysdale Nicholas & Tessa Stauffer Patricia Coleman Dr. Lavern H. Stillwell & Lyda Richard Combs Stillwell Tom Crooks Mary Strehlows 80th Donald F. Cudahy birthday Claude Dean Sawyer Summerville Don & Anna Dean Bronson Swansons birthday Woodie DeBack David Teugh Garold & Evalyn Bunny DeForest IN MEMORY OF Joseph Dillon Robert P. Amrhein Lucille Dillon Rosemary Austgen Ken Dingman Oren Barney Robert Eager, Sr. Glenn Beard Gary Eavey Neil Brand Evan Ebling Patrecia Breen Sarah Ely Len Bridge Jeanne Maltby Fahrenbach Donald Brockway James W. Ferguson Bruce Brown Terry Flanery Floyd & Helen Burkey Gail Gibson Bruce L. Burrows Lorna Gibson Maxine Bushouse E. Arnold Hamlin Levon Helm Benjamin Heslinga Dr. Clayton Holaday Blair Holden Annamae Homan Howard & Betty Ihrke Reginald Jones Avis Keene Paul & Helen Kelly Marguerite Kolb William Kowal Dick LaForge Lance Lambert Bob LaPoint Ward LaPorte Dolores Lester Linda Renauld Lutz Janiece Magee David Marker Julius McKee Margaret Peg McNulty Mary Melzer Eugene Metzler Kathy Mizeur Harold E. Moffit Vernon E. Munson Patricia Tunier Nelson Florence Neumann Donna Nichols Barbara OHara Jamie Oorbeck Thomas Oorbeck Frank Ossiff, Jr. Lawrence Parsons Janelle & Neil Peterson Gerald L. Pochyla Myrtle M. Powers Ann Raup Gordon Reinel James Reish Jessica Renauld Oswald & Alvina Renauld Milo & Frances Rifenberg John Ross Darrell Rostami Nellie Roundhouse Fred R. Russell Carol Schaberg Marilyn Scheel Dr. Peter Schmitt

Martin & Emma Schmitt Jean Schrader Al Schultz Joani Siwik Clarinda Smith Cory Smith Patricia Smith Robert E. Smith Donna Snow Teresa Stewart Doug & Marie Renauld Stone Beatrice Stoops Jim Sullivan Jim Swanson Ardis Syndergaard Paul & June Tackaberry Henry VanSparrentak Roon Visser Diane D. Vorenkamp Virginia Ginny Wilson Don & Ruth Wisser Margaret Woodward Roberto Zuniga
211 213 214 224 208 201 206 218 222 209

Board of Directors
Patricia Carlin Bob Ezelle Alan Harbaugh Mike Henderson Lynn Jessel Cheryl Knapp Robert Lohrmann Elizabeth Makohn Harvey Myers Helen Norris Maija Petersons Stacey Randolph Martha Ream Martha Simpson Jan Tiderington

Staff / Business Office

269/488-2617 Joan Atwell, Call Center Lead Art Cole, Services Director Pat Early, Warehouse Assistant George Geissel, Bookkeeper Kathy Gernaat, Operations Director Dave Hafer, Warehouse Assistant Phyllis Hepp, Organizational Development Director EXT. 201 207 211 222 212 211 210

Mary Hutchins, Warehouse Coordinator Jennifer Johnson, Public Relations & Development Director Deb Josephson, Services Coordinator Marvin King, Warehouse Director Anne Wend Lipsey, Executive Director Ruth Matteson, Call Center Lead Jon Riccio, Donor Database Coordinator Kimberly Schoetzow, Communications Coordinator Carolyn Tyler, Operations Coordinator Laura Winther, Volunteer Coordinator