August 2009

FoodforThought
Inside This Issue From GOOD to GREAT!
Galesburg Meat Co.

Local Kids’ Cooking Class

Michigan Harvest Festival

2

Food Drive Tips
Improved Website
Volunteer Corner
Fast Fact:
Grocery Pantry Program
service records:
October 2008 – served 7295
people in one month
June 30, 2009 – served 721
people in one day
Remember:
Your ongoing support is
important to KLF. It’s
never too soon to think
about Planned Giving.
See wwww.kzoolf.org for
more information.
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
2
E very day here at Kalamazoo
Loaves & Fishes we are
providing emergency food
access to people in need. It’s amazing
and rewarding work. It happens
because there are hundreds of people
3
who help, who believe, who are willing
3 to help make it happen. And yet, today
when asked, what do you need – food,
3 dollars, my time? My answer is yes,
we need all these things. AND, we
need to embrace a bigger vision of
what more can and must be done to
address emergency food needs in our
community.
That is why, as we begin our fiscal
year,we have challenged ourselves to
meet 100% of the expressed need for
food from people in this community.
That will mean that anyone who needs
emergency food – on the day they
call for service – will receive it. The
unprecedented numbers seen over the
last 2+ years provides the evidence
that surpassing our current capacity is
needed (see graph below). The endless
faces we see and stories we hear
provide the evidence that moving from
good to great has to happen.
It takes action though. I’m talking
about bold creative action that takes
us beyond simple modifications of
our current systems; the addition of
one or two households at one or two
locations. I’m talking about being open
to thinking very differently about how
to meet the needs at a geographically
isolated trailer park or of seniors
who aren’t getting out regularly. And,
I’m talking about staying focused on
the simplicity of this basic service
– ensuring access to emergency
food support for everyone in our
community.
Most of all - we must find new ways to
articulate our zero tolerance for hunger
in this community. We all know it must
happen. Whether it’s for the child
who can’t grow strong when meals are
missed or the adult who doesn’t have
enough energy to compete for a job or
raise a family – together, we work to
support the basic human dignity that
everyone has enough to eat.
Times are tough, but with your
continued help we can face these
challenges. Together, we commit to
the bold new action that supports our
current efforts and finds new ways
to address this most basic of needs –
food – enough – available today – so
that each of us may fully contribute
to the health and
well-being of this
community, helping
Projected
Kalamazoo Loaves
& Fishes to remain
a modern miracle,
making a difference
every day in this
community.
– Anne Wend Lipsey,
Executive Director

Website: kzoolf.org
 Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes: FoodforThought–August 2009 Page 2

Galesburg Meat Co. Steps In to Help Others

K alamazoo Loaves & Fishes

relies on local businesses and
individuals to help feed hungry
people in this community – whether
that help comes in the form of dollars,
food donations, or services. In 2008,
family-owned Galesburg Meat Co.
stepped up and helped support KLF’s
Grocery Pantry Program by donating
their service and making an impossible
situation possible.
In 2008, the 50 year old meat cutting
business processed two large meat
donations by two separate donors who
wanted to resize the meat for distribution
to families through the KLF Grocery
Pantry Program. Owner Mark Christian
and his staff, which includes his father
Rich and mother Arlene, completed
the orders but at that time did not fully
realize the impact and the level to which
this support helped so many.
The local Galesburg First Methodist
Church houses a KLF pantry serving
2000 people a year. It was there
that Mark learned more about the
KLF Grocery Pantry System and its
commitment to providing nutritious
Mark Christian, owner of Galesburg Meat Co.
emergency food assistance to those that
need it. “You can’t believe what need
the past year but they have also added
there is out there,” says Mark. “There are
an important protein supplement to the
so many people that need help.”
Grocery Pantry Program – something
Mr. Christian and his staff have been that would not be an option without their
donating their services and processing assistance. Thank you, Galesburg Meat
large meat orders ever since. They’ve not Company family, for joining the KLF
only saved KLF over $25,000 in costs in family and providing so much to so many.

Local Kids Gain Life Skills through Cooking Class

KLF has teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo to pilot a
teen cooking class this summer. Once a week from 7:30-9:30 p.m., volunteers from
KLF meet with 15 teens at the Boys & Girls Club on Lake Street. The goals of the
cooking class are to help people stretch food dollars, promote healthy eating habits,
and demonstrate the use of nutritious foods generally available at KLF pantries.
Recipes have included Stuffed Bell Peppers, Veggie Whole Wheat Pasta, and other
dishes made primarily with foods available at KLF food pantries. Participants sample
the recipes at the end of the evening and also go home with the ingredients to make
one of the recipes at home over the next week.
“The kids are really excited about it,” says Katy Lagoni, a director at the Boys & Girls
Club. “They talk about the new foods they are trying and are eager to return.” The
class is filled to capacity and has a waiting list. Bon Appetit at Boys and Girls Club

This pilot program is a result of our Community Education & Advocacy Committee’s focus on the second half of KLF’s mission: to
help hungry people to feed themselves.

T he 2009 Michigan Harvest Gathering Celebration kicks off at the Capitol in

Lansing on September 17. This year’s goal is to raise $430,000 and 300,000
lbs of food.This annual event began in 1991 as a way to raise food and funds
for Michigan’s 10 regional food banks. These regional food banks serve agencies such
as food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in all 83 Michigan counties.
Last year, the Michigan Harvest Gathering Campaign raised more than $679,000 and
242,459 lbs of food statewide. More than $9,900 and 38,000 lbs of that total were
collected and distributed to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
This annual event would not nearly be as successful if it weren’t for the participation
of two local hospital partners, Borgess Health and Bronson Methodist Hospital. We
are proud to collaborate with two organizations that always put community first and
look forward to another successful year. Stay tuned to www.kzoolf.org this fall to
find out more.

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–August 2009

Fall is a busy time for KLF as generous local groups and organizations hold food drives
to feed hungry people in our community. These drives are important and provide more
than 25% of the total food distributed to the Grocery Pantry and Supplemental Meal
Programs throughout the year. They also take a little preparation in order to collect the
items that will most benefit our friends and neighbors. Here are some valuable tips
that help keep Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes programs both nutritious and safe.

Collect high protein items Collect fruits and vegetables. And when you can, collect dollars, Remember to avoid rusty, badly
(anything with 7 grams of protein Canned fruit, 100% fruit juice, and too. KLF can stretch those donations dented cans, perishable items,
or more), such as canned meats, canned vegetables are a regular further than the average consumer home-made items, soda, sugary
dry beans, soups, beef stew, and staple of the Grocery Pantry — buying large quantities for snacks, and open items.
pasta products w/meat or cheese. Program. pennies on the dollar!
For more information about food drives, please visit www.kzoolf.org or call 269-488-2617

The new and improved www.kzoolf.org was launched in June

with many new features. You can now:
zzDonate Online
zzDownload Food Drive information and general donation information
zzDownload the latest “Food for Thought” Newsletter or Annual Report
zzRead the latest KLF news and announcements
w w w. k
zzDownload directions to the KLF Warehouse… and much more! z o o l f. o
rg

KLF August Giving Coupon

VOLUNTEER
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 C Monthly volunteer
orientation is held on the 2nd
August 2009 – Coupon #73
Amount $
O Wednesday, from 11-12 and
Help Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes purchase food for the Grocery Pantry Program by R on the 2nd Saturday, at 9 am.
Both orientations are held
donating dollars this month. KLF can stretch these donations further by purchasing
more for the money.. N atFishes
the Kalamazoo Loaves &
warehouse, at 913 E.
Please send your contribution by August 24
E Alcott St.

R As donations pick up again

in the fall, there will be
KLF September Giving Coupon additional volunteer opportunities
available. For more information,
913 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
contact Seema Jolly at 488-2617
September 2009 – Coupon #74 ext. 209 or seema@kzoolf.org
Amount $
As you are filling your shopping cart, please
Donate your dollars this month and help ensure
that children have access to the food they need
consider contributing some of these
to grow strong and dream big. “wish list” items:
August: Pasta (any variety)
Please send your contribution by September 22
September: Beef Stew

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

 FoodforThought–August 2009 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

The following gifts were received between May 5 and July 6, 2009. If your gift arrived after July 6,
it will appear in the next newsletter.

Gifts in honor of:

Jim Allen’s 60th birthday – Louelle Bing – David and Shiela Blough’s 40th wedding anniversary – William and Donna Bryant’s 50th wedding anniversary
Patricia Carey’s 80th birthday – Erma Commissaris – Gloria Copeland – Gwen and Phil Curtis’s 50th wedding anniversary – Greta Decker’s 60th birthday
Dorothy DeDee – Sis DeWitt – Esther and Bill Furgason’s 50th wedding anniversary – Karen Halstead – Roy and Sandy Howard’s wedding anniversary
Arlene Howard – Arlene Hubbard – Judge Donald E. James & Jerre Locke James – James Kirklin – Mary Ann Krogh – Anne Wend Lipsey’s birthday – Lisa Lutz
Rory & Constance Mack – Sean McCann & Priscilla Lambert’s marriage – John Merrion’s birthday – Lamar & Kay Miller’s 50th wedding anniversary
Mrs. Foster Sherwood’s birthday – Rollin Richmon – Bill Rosegrant’s 90th birthday – Sam’s Club – Camine Saracina – Victor Siemers on behalf of Dan Harrison
Donald Thall – Robert Thall – The Krueger Family – Joan & Charles Van Zoeren’s 55th wedding anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Weber’s 50th wedding anniversary – Donald Wisser’s 92nd birthday – Carol A. Zomer

Gifts in memory of:

Paul Abrahamson – Charles Alfieri Jr. – Richard Alfieri – Robert Amrhein – Dr. John Azevedo – Jim & Kay Baker – Bernice Begeman – Len Bridge
Marjorie Brown – Richard Burlington – Bruce L. Burrows – Vern A. Comburn – Lowell & Leona Comstock – Tom Crooks – Sandy DeJonge – Jean Dickinson
Lucille Dillon – Peter Dondero – Robert Eager, Sr. – Sally Emaar – Jeanne Maltby Fahrenbach – Glen Fairbanks – Jerald Finnegan – DeeDee Foley
Richard Fulton – Eugene Gauthier – Mrs. Helen Graham – Robert Gustafson – Jane Hannon - Richard Harring – Dr. Clayton Holaday – Sylvia Jones
Eta Kercman – Barbara Jo Kirk – Thelma Klinkers – Gerrit Kloosterman – Marguerite Kolb – Lance Lambert – Irving Lando – Louie E. Lansdale – John Lindbeck
Maxine Louden – Linda Renauld Lutz – Donald McCarty – Lambert Medendorp – Betty M. Miller – Kathy Mizeur – Rosie Nye – Eulalia (Ukie) Onderlinde
Jamie Oorbeck – Frank Ossiff Jr. – Richard A. Passavant – Robert Peterson – Nancy Popke – Frances Russell – Harry Semenczuk – Joani Siwik – Jeffrey A. Snow
Kay Steeg – Jack Still – Lawrence & Evelyn Summerville – Olin Vanderberg – Adrian (Ad) VanKesteren – Albert E. Vickery – Geraldine Vickery
Roon Visser’s 91st birthday – Gloria Walters – Bruce Wellington – Dewey Williams – Helene Rose Zimmick

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