food for thought: december 2013

8/13/2019 Food for Thought: December 2013

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Fast

Facts Did you know local farms

donate fresh produce to KLF?

This fall alone, one of our

many local supporters donated

more than 35,000 lbs. to help

feed our community.

KLF’s warehouse distributed

an average of 52,808 lbs. of

food per week in the month of

October.

COMING SOON:

Bell’s Brewery Snow Jog

Adventure Race & Challenge on

January 11.

Run for fun and donate food and

funds to help Kalamazoo Loaves &

Fishes’ many programs.

For more details,

visit www.bellsbeer.com or

www.kzoolf.org.

OFFERING HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS As the holidays approach and we inch closer to another new year, certain

aspects of our work come into focus for us at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.

Once again, we will see our annual service numbers hit a record high,

underscoring the ever-present need for food in our neighborhoods.

This community’s gracious desire to give back to local residents in need

is never more apparent than during this festive time of the year. Whether you

give back your time by volunteering, donating funds or holding a holiday

food drive, you are making a difference.

One of the things I like best about the work we do is that, together, we

are able to accomplish amazing things every single day—victories, big and

small, that a single individual or organization would be hard pressed to

realize alone. On the surface, these accomplishments seem to defy logic, but

we at KLF have learned to never underestimate what a compassionate and

unified community can achieve.

As you read our December Food for Thought newsletter, we hope you will

find inspiration and opportunities to continue helping us change lives, and

a deeper appreciation for just how incredible the service that you help us

provide on a daily basis is. Because of you, we are able to not only offer food

to those who need it most in our county, but also dignity and hope.

Whether it is through raising friends and funds at the ‘Run Through the

Lights’ event or feeling humbled by the story of a young donor, this work

is always about the ways in which–together–we are building a hunger-free

community.

I also have to admit that things are not always easy, and there are days

where certain roadblocks seem too daunting to overcome. For example, this

fall we’ve seen the impact of the extra challenge of automatic reductions in

the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food

stamps, which will certainly cause another spike in food assistance need

throughout Kalamazoo County.

But on those overwhelming days, I take heart from a quote like this:

‘The best way not to feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good

things happen, you fill the world with hope, and you will fill yourself with

hope.” —Barak Obama.

I want to thank you, one and all, for the ways that you ‘fill the world with

hope’ everyday. Thank you for growing and harvesting fresh produce

to share with those in need. Thank you for

canned goods collections at schools and work

and, yes, at holiday parades. Thank you for

entrusting us with your time and talents. Thank

you for sharing so generously your treasure.

INSIDE

Run Through the Lights

Stuff the Bus food drive with K Central

Young donor gives back

College student inspired by KLF’s service

Sisters nominated for state-wide award

Thank you local faith groups

DECEMBER 2013



RUNTHROUGHTHE

LIGHTSGazelle Sports and

Kalamazoo Area Runners

are proud to host the 2013

Run Through the Lights fun

run benefiting Kalamazoo

Loaves & Fishes!

The electrifying annual

race, which is presented

by Maple Hill Auto Group,

takes place in downtown

Kalamazoo on Thursday,

Dec. 5 and starts in front of

Gazelle Sports’ storefront

at 6:30 p.m.

While the race is the

main event, there will be

plenty of attractions before

the starting gun and after

the finish line.

In addition to a live

remote broadcast from

103.3 WKFR, plenty of

fantastic door prizes will

be offered—including

gift cards to a variety of

local establishments—

and refreshments and

snacks will be served

after the race. New this

year, all race participants will receive 25% off food

orders at Old Dog Tavern

the night of the race (with

a coupon that will be

provided before the race.)

Event is $10 for adults

13 years and older and

free for children 12 years

and under that preregister

by noon on Dec. 5.

Late registration at the

event is $15 for adults 13

years and older and freefor children 12 years and

under. Commemorative

race shirts will be sold in

Gazelle Sports’ Kalamazoo

store in the days leading

up to the race—they went

fast last year, so make

sure to check in and scoop

one up while they are still

available.

In the spirit of giving,

there will also be an

opportunity to help

change lives during

the festivities—KLF will

have representatives

on-site to collect

non-perishable

or canned-food items and

monetary donations. Not

only is this a night of fun,

but a night of giving back

to our community!

Last year, nearly 1,200

runners registered and

more than 1,800 lbs. offood were donated. Join in

and help us top those total

and make this the biggest

Run through the Lights yet!

For more information

on the race or how to

register as a runner or

volunteer, visit http://

www.gazel lesports.

com/info/97-

RunThroughtheLights.html

or search for Run through

the Lights on Facebook.

K al am az o o C e n t r al s t ud e n t s ar e h o l d i n g t h e i r an n ual ‘ S t uf f t h e B us ’ f o o d d r i v e D e c . 14 at

t h e H ar d i n g ’ s F r i e n d l y M ar k e t p ar k i n g l o t o n

W e s t M ai n i n K al am az o o f r o m 10 a.m . - .2 p .m . T h e an n ual e v e n t r ai s e d n e ar l y 5 ,0 0 0 l b s . l as t y e ar , s o s t o p b y , an d s h o p an d

d r o p

d o n at i o n s t o h e l p t h e s e c o m m un i t y - c o n s c i o us

s t ud e n t s b e at t h at am o un t . K al am az o o C e n t r al

s t ud e n t s !

S t u ff t h e B u s w i t h K a l a m a z o o C e n t r a l

Alamo Draft House

Bravo

Brooks

Garden Gate Cafe

Gun River Conservation ClubHarding’s Friendly Market

Life EMS Ambulance

Koffee Clutch (Galesburg)

Kalamazoo Mud Run

Meijer

OptiMed Pharmacy

Papa’s Italian Sausage

Red Mango

Roller World

Ship-PacSummer Thyme

The Canopeum

Town and Country

WalMart

Woodwards Garage

2013 Run Through the Lights Sponsors

Run through the lights to help fe

your neighbors in need



The future of a community is heavily

dependent on the development of its

youth, and your kind-heartednesshelps fuel the minds of Kalamazoo

County’s next generation.

Tanya* is a standout student at a

local university but, although it may

have not been readily apparent to her

classmates and professors, she was

recently tested by food insecurity.

Facing weeks before her first

paycheck after starting a

new job and with

school

bills piling up, securing enough food

appeared to be a question without an

answer. That is when a conversation with a stranger provided a solution.

“Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes came

up,” Tanya recalled. “I had never

heard of the organization before, but I

quickly realized that it could help me

get through this difficult stretch.”

Tanya called KLF’s ‘Need Food’

hotline the following morning,

and was set up with a same-day

appointment at a nearby pantry

where she received enough food to

help her get to payday.

“It made a difference,”she said. “All I had in my

refrigerator was baloney and

noodles, and I was running out

of baloney.

“It was amazing, I don’t

know what I would have

done without it.”

For Tanya, the entire

experience, including

the pantry volunteers, received an A+

grade.

“You could tell they allhad the heart to help,” she

said, exuding a grateful

happiness. “They were so

sweet, nice and helpful—I

felt welcomed and never

rushed.

“Everyone was wonderful, it was

like talking to friends. I could tell that

they truly cared.”

Her experience has inspired her

to give back, and she contacted KLF

to pledge her time through volunteer

work.“Loaves & Fishes helped me out

so much, I just want to do my part so

others going through tough times can

get the same help that I did,” she said.

You can give back, too.

Visit www.kzoolf.org for more

information on how to donate food,

funds or time.

*Name changed for anonymity

M E I J E R

S I M P L Y G I V

E

C o n t r i

b u t e $ 1 0 t o K L F

a n d t h e f i g h t

a g a i n s t h u

n g e r w i t h a S i m p

l y

G i v e M e i j e r

d o n a t i o n

c a r d b y J a n.

4. J u s t s t o p

b y o n e o f t h r e e l o c a

l M e i j e r

l o c a t i o n s —

5 8 0 0 G u l l R

o a d, 5 1 2 1 S. W e s t n e

d g e

A v e, o r 6 6 6 0 W. M a i n S t. —

o r M e i j e r

. c o m t o

p u r c h a s e

a $ 1 0 g i f t c a r d

t h a t w i l l b e

d o n a t e d

t o K L F. I n a d d i t i o n

, M e i j e r w i l l c o

n t r i b u t e $ 1

m i l l i o n t o d i s t r

i b u t e a m o n g t h e m a n y f o o d

p a n t r i e s i n o u r

c o m m u n i t i e s.

LOCAL CHILD PROVES THAT EVERY BIT COUNTSCharles* is a local child who began benefitting from our

Weekend Food Pack Program during the 2013-14 school

year—and also provided us with a touching story of

generosity, which was relayed to KLF by a Community in

Schools (CIS) site coordinator.

Every Friday afternoon during the school year, Charles

receives a pack of food with enough supplemental food to

bridge the weekend gap when free or reduced-price

school lunches are not available. One particular Friday

his eagerness to get his bag food was outweighed the

opportunity to help other local kids by contributing to a

food drive being held by his elementary school

When Friday afternoon arrived, Charles, with

enthusiasm in his eyes, offered to give his entire

weekend’s worth of food to others struggling with food

insecurity. His reasoning? He knew what it was like to be

hungry.

Taken aback by this show of generosity, the CIS

coordinator suggested that, instead, he donate just one

item and keep the rest for his own weekend meals.

Charles was ecstatic with the idea, so he parted

with the one item and left school that day with both

food for the weekend and the satisfaction of helping his

neighbors in need.

When the CIS worker returned to her office, she

shared the story with a co-worker.

“Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is about feeding hungry

people, but also about dignity,” her coworker said.

Your donations make a difference for children like

Charles. Do you have a similar story to share with KLF?

We would love to hear it. Contact our Communications

Coordinator Kevin Minor at [email protected]

*Name changed for anonymity

AREA STUDENT INSPIRED TO GIVE BACK

DONATE TO KLF’S ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

Kalamazoo Loa ves & Fishes’ Until Everyone has

a Pl ace at the Ta ble annual campaign is in f ull

swing. In helping us reach our goal of $325,000 this

year, you are not only ensuring valuable food support

for our community —such as milk vouchers, produce

f rom local farms, and high-protein items —but your

donations also help KLF cover critical operational

costs.



Join the Loaves& Fishes Team!Interested in helping Kalamazoo become a

hunger-free community? We’ve got a place

for you! Attend an orientation meeting to get

started.

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION DATES:

Saturday, December 7

Saturday, January 11

Wednesday, January 22

We are also looking for groups! Volunteer with

friends and have fun while giving back to your

community.

Sign up with our Volunteer Coordinator,

Cherise Buchanan: 269/488-2617, ext. 209 or

at [email protected]

FOODWISH LIST

December:Canned meat

January:Beef stew

Foods high in protein

(6 grams or more) are

always needed in our

warehouse, too.

KLF DECEMBER GIVING COUPON

AMOUNT $ _______________ I wish to remain anonymous.

The spirit of giving is in the air! Help us give the gift of food and ensure

that everyone in our community has a happy and healthy holiday

season.

Please send your contribution by December 20.

DECEMBER

2013

COUPON

#125

KLF JANUARY GIVING COUPON

AMOUNT $ _______________ I wish to remain anonymous.

Our New Year’s resolution is to continue to change lives in our

community by providing one of the most basic needs—food. You can

help us make a difference this year.

Please send your contribution by January 17.

SISTERS NOMINATED FOR BEACON

OF LIGHT AWARDWith more than 450 individuals donating their time each

week, it is not uncommon to see volunteers go above and

beyond to help those around them.

KLF recently recognized long-time contributors ShirleyBumgardner and Sharon Dickey by nominating them for the

Beacon of Light award, a statewide honor from the Food Bank

Council of Michigan to individuals that embody its mission of

‘providing hope.’

The sisters, who have been volunteering with Kalamazoo

Loaves & Fishes since 2007, use their diverse set of skills

to help with special events, coordinate the mailing of this

very newsletter, and repackage food in our cleanroom as

a member of the Pasta Pals— a group of volunteers who

repackage up to 1,000 lbs. of food in a single afternoon.

KLF congratulates Sharon and Shirley, and expresses

sincere gratitude to all of the amazing members of our

community that give back through volunteering. By helpinganswer phones, filling food orders and serving in our

pantries, among countless other activities, you allow us to

feed our neighborhoods and provide hope to those in need.

If you or your group is interested in volunteering, contact

our Volunteer Coordinator Cherise Buchanan at cherise@

kzoolf.org for information on how to sign up for one of our

monthly volunteer

orientations.

JANUARY

2014

COUPON

#126

Sharon (left) and

Shirley (right) have been volunteering at

KLF since 2007

TIS THE SEASON ...The holiday season is a time of warmth and giving.

Already, KLF has received thousands of lbs. of donated

food from countless food drives held throughout our

county.

Is your company, organization, faith institution or

community group holding a holiday drive? Let us know!

Contact our Communications Coordinator Kevin Minor at

[email protected].

Not only can we maximize the effectiveness of yourdrive by promoting it with our website , but we can also

help our warehouse prepare for your donations during

this very busy time of year.



THANK YOU

TO LOCAL FAITH ORGANIZATIONS FOR SUPPORTING KLFIn our Food for Thought newsletter, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes categorically recognizes some of our recent supporters. We want to take the time

to say thank you to the many faith groups throughout the community who choose to support Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes with a gift.

We’d especially like to thank our faith par tners who operate as KLF food distribution sites for their dedication to our mission of feeding hungry

people. These are the faith organizations that donated food or funds between 7/1/2012 and 6/30/2013.

Agape Christian ChurchAllen Chapel AME ChurchAnonymous FaithBethany Reformed ChurchBethlehem Baptist ChurchCenterpointCentre Avenue Community Church

of GodChristian Assembly of GodChristian Church (Disciples of

Christ)Church of God - Family Worship

CenterChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day

SaintsChurch Women UnitedCommunity of Christ ChurchCommunity Orthodox Presbyterian

ChurchComstock Christian Reformed

ChurchComstock Church of ChristCongregation of MosesCongregational United Church of

Christ

Cooper Congregational ChurchFirst Baptist ChurchFirst Church of Christ, ScientistFirst Congregational ChurchFirst Presbyterian ChurchFirst United Methodist ChurchFourth Episcopal District AME

ChurchFourth Reformed ChurchFriendship Baptist ChurchGrace Christian Reformed ChurchGreenwood Reformed ChurchGull Lake United Methodist ChurchHeritage Christian Reformed

ChurchHope Reformed ChurchImmanuel Christian Reformed

ChurchImmanuel Lutheran ChurchIndo American Cultural Center and

TempleKalamazoo Community ChurchKalamazoo First Assembly of GodKalamazoo Islamic CenterKnights of Columbus 9962

Knights of Columbus 6980Latvian Evangelical Lutheran

ChurchLifeSpring United Methodist

ChurchLift Him Up Gospel MinistriesLight & Life Wesleyan ChurchLighthouse Community ChurchLive Life ChurchLord of Life Lutheran ChurchLutheran Church of The SaviorMilwood Christian Reformed

ChurchMilwood United Methodist ChurchNational Christian Foundation West

MichiganNorth Park Reformed ChurchNorth Presbyterian ChurchNorth Westnedge Church of ChristNorthbridge ChurchNortheastern Baptist ChurchNorthern Heights Christian

Reformed ChurchOakwood Bible ChurchOshtemo United Methodist Church

Oshtemo United Methodist WomenParchment Christian ReformedChurch

Parchment United MethodistChurch

Pathfinder ChurchPeople’s ChurchPhoenix Community ChurchPine Island ChurchPortage Chapel Hill United

Methodist ChurchPortage United Church of ChristPrairie Edge Christian Reformed

Church

Presbyterian WomenPrince of Peace Lutheran ChurchRadiant ChurchRichland Food PantryRomence Road Food PantrySchoolcraft United Methodist

ChurchSecond Christian Reformed ChurchSecond Reformed ChurchSisters of St. JosephSkyridge Church of the Brethren

St. Andrews Community ChurchSt. Augustine Food PantrySt. Barnabas Episcopal ChurchSt. Catherine of SienaSt. Joseph ChurchSt. Joseph Food PantrySt. Luke’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Martin of Tours Episcopal

ChurchSt. Mary’s Catholic ChurchSt. Michael Lutheran ChurchSt. Michael’s Lutheran Women’s

Missionary LeagueSt. Rita’s Guild - St. John Bosco

ParishSt. Thomas More Catholic Student

ParishSt. Timothy Episcopal ChurchStockbridge United Methodist

ChurchSunnyside United Methodist

ChurchSunnyside United Methodist

WomenTemple B’nai Israel

The BridgeThe Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints

The Kalamazoo County ThriventBoard

The Rock ChurchThird Christian Reformed ChurchTrinity Evangelical Lutheran ChurchTrinity Reformed ChurchUnitarian Universalist Community

ChurchUnited General Baptist ChurchUnity Church of KalamazooValley Family Church

Vicksburg Assembly of GodVineyard Church of KalamazooWest Oshtemo Baptist ChurchWestminster Presbyterian ChurchWestwood Christian Reformed

ChurchWestwood Church of GodWestwood United Methodist

ChurchZion Lutheran Church

Make Your Gift a Tribute

Looking to give a gift to a

loved one that can change

a life? How about the gift

of food to our community.

Consider making a donation

this holiday season in honor

or in memory of a loved one

to support our anti-hunger

programs.

Your donation will help

keep our pantry doors open

and our shelves stocked,

ensuring a happy and

healthy holiday season for

thousands of local families.

Go to www.kzoolf.org/

donate to make an online

contribution or include the

name and address with your

gift by mail.

Thank you to these groups for

your support. Your spirit of

giving creates a community

where we help each other

reach our full potential.

Please contact us if you

believe you were wrongfully

omitted from this list. Write or

call Laura Winther at 488-2617

ext. 206 or [email protected].

food for thought: december 2013

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