Save The DateDiana’s Humbling experience “The rug got pulled from underneath us,” Diana shared with a

solemn look on her face. Diana and her husband, James, both have

Master’s degrees. They never expected to be in a position where they

would not have enough food on the table for their two kids, a 15-year

old daughter and 11-year old son. Two months ago, James lost his job

as a computer graphic designer. Diana has a Master’s in Education,

but is working towards her

Master’s in Counseling so she

can support and counsel high

school students to reach their

full potential. Currently, the

family is living on their limited

savings. Diana learned about

KLF’s services through her graduate

internship. She explains, “We were this middle-class family. I

considered volunteering at KLF and never imagined I would be

someone receiving their services.” Diana’s husband has been looking

for a job, but with his specialized field, job opportunities in Michigan

are far and few between. The family has received referrals from a

caseworker to ensure they can receive food assistance more than

once a month. “Through this experience, I want to try to teach

my kids to be grateful for what you have. Even for me, this was

a humbling experience.” After learning that 1 out of 6 people in

Kalamazoo County struggle with hunger, Diana said, “Anyone can

lose their job. Anyone can be where I am.” Diana hopes her family’s

current financial struggle is a temporary situation and plans to pay

it forward by serving as a volunteer for KLF in the future.

Join KLF, Gazelle Sports, and Kalamazoo Area Runners for Run Through the Lights on Dec 3rd--a

fun run through Kalamazoo’s beautifully festive downtown.

Proceeds from the event will help fight hunger in our community. Registration begins on October

15th at www.gazellesports.com!

Name changed for anonymity

Food Is Fuel Update:

The Food is Fuel Campaign provided

enough food for nearly 257,000 meals this

summer. Thank you for helping feed local

children!

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015

MAKE An IMPACT TIP For October/November:

Become a Social Media Ambassodor for us! "Like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on

Twitter. Spread our mission by sharing one Facebook post every week or by inviting

your friends to “like” our page.

NOTE FROM JENWhat if 40,000 people in Kalamazoo County did not struggle with hunger? How would our community feel and work differently if every person had enough nutritious food to lead an active and healthy lifestyle? The possibilities for growth would be endless. This is why we, as an organization, are deeply committed to working towards a vision of a hunger-free community. To some, envisioning a hunger-free community seems impossible, but to us, it can be possible. It must be possible for the people we serve. We must make this vision a reality for the mom who can’t pay for those school supplies and an unexpected car repair and groceries all in the same month. We must make this vision a reality for the grandma who cannot pay for her rising medical bills and groceries for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner. The vision of a hunger-free community must become a reality for those suffering the most with the least amount of help. Our collective vision can only be possible if every person pitches in and does their part. Food, funds, and volunteer time are the three vital components that allow us to feed hungry people and engage the community in the fight to end hunger. No one person can take on this task alone; it can only occur through the collective generosity of many individuals. Our Annual Campaign is coming up, and around this time, we are always in awe of people’s willingness to give without hesitation knowing that their gift is going towards growing a better Kalamazoo. Supporters and donors like you help alleviate hunger and foster hope in so many of our neighbors. Thank you for being committed to our meaningful vision!

PROVIDING CHOICE, PRESERVERING DIGNITY

The 24 pantries in our Grocery Pantry Program are based on a choice system in which each family (depending on the size of the household) is given a

certain amount of points in each category to choose the nutritional food they need. Each pantry is set up like a grocery store. Volunteer personal pantry shoppers help the people we serve choose food

from shelves organized by the USDA Food Pyramid’s categories of dairy, protein, fruits & vegetables, and grains. The choice system allows clients to pick and choose groceries that they know their families can use. For example, if a family member has a peanut

allergy then they can choose another protein for their family. This focus on choice allows them to pick food that makes sense for their diet, their culture, and their lives depending on if they have any health restrictions

or if they have access to adequate refrigeration. This also minimizes waste by allowing clients to choose

food that fulfills their family’s needs. Struggling with food insecurity translates to making difficult choices between paying for groceries or other basic needs.

Through our choice system, we work to preserve the dignity of those struggling with hunger.

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, October 10th

Wednesday, October 28th

Saturday, November 14th

Sign up with our Volunteer

Coordinator, Cherise Buchanan at

269.488.2617 ext. 209 or at cherise@

kzoolf.org.

THANKING AND CELEBRATING LEGACIES!

On Wednesday, August 5th, we hosted a special luncheon for former Pantry Coordinators who served our community for

decades. These extraordinary volunteers shared stories about their rewarding experiences over the years. We are so grateful to their dedication! It is through their sustained legacy that we can continue to serve people across 24 pantries in Kalamazoo county.

KLF OCTOBER GIVING COUPONAMOUNT $ ________________

Please help us welcome the Fall season with less hunger in Kalamazoo!

Please send in your contribution by October 16th.

OCTOBER2015

COUPON #145

KLF NOVEMBER GIVING COUPONAMOUNT $ ________________

With the holidays around the corner, your gift will make a difference in the lives of so many families!

Please send in your contribution by November 20th.

FOOD WISH LIST

October: Soups and stews

November:Low or no-salt canned vegetables

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.

NOVEMBER2015

COUPON #146

TRIBUTES 7/4/15— 9/4/15 Special thanks to those who honor friends and family through contributions to KLF!In Honor Of Aban & Aspy Chetan & Sheela VyasBen Bierlein Philip HamburgPat Brogan Rick & Shirley GeerCaitlinn Cochran Linda & Tom PowellArt Cole Joan B. AtwellCordell, Chloe, Chalia & Craig III Cherise BuchananDhirubhai & Marjuben Dagli Chetan & Sheela VyasMarisa & Ettore Filiputti John Bresnahan John P. Bresnahan Sr. Patrick Tierney & Carmelina Impellizzeri Tony Reggio Jerry & Linda Renda Joseph & Carmela RendaGood Works of Westminster Presbyterian James D. GluysTheresa Henschl Matthew Early & Mary Hentschl-EarlyKatleen Jordan Lydia DeckerDeb Josephson Anna & Gary MironKalamazoo Central High School Class of 1954 The Swingin’ 70’sAnne Wend Lipsey Valerie & George OpdykeKate & Fred Mast Robert & Kathleen RowleyGayanne Nelson Jeff & Sue HenshawMarlene Pryson The Homnick Family Gift FundChris & Mary Lou Rohwer Anne & Timothy BachledaRuth Sigler Christina M. NelsonDave Smith Allison & Robert LeonardSt. Luke’s Episcopal Church Joan HartmanDoug & Penny Thompson W. Thomas EllisonVinudini Vyas Rajesh & Nita Dagli

In Memory OfJanet Albright LVM Capital ManagementMichael Robert Anderson Mr. Jef frey RostamiBette Anderton Carl & Gale DeKleineEllen Antal Karen Klott Patrick McGovren Jane SchleyPat Bare Carol FlegalWayne Bare Carol FlegalEvelyn M. Bianchi Joan AdrianTom Bishop David & Jill SluyterJoseph Bonsignore Patricia CarlinMorris & Wilma Bos

Susan BosLen Bridge Geraldine K. BridgeDorothy Butch Cindy Birkhimer Mary Kay Davis Dennis & Marjorie MikelSusan Buxton Linda & Tom PowellKaren Cernik Joseph & Julie CernikPatricia Coleman Liz RoelofsDavid R. Crawford Phyllis CrawfordTom Crooks Martha VandelindeYolanda Crosby Kathleen W. NealDorothy Cudihy

Gary & Heather Adams Katherine Brien Thomas & Monique Coyne Mary Ann Cronin Stephen & Marlene Denenfeld Garnet & Debora Eckstrand Gail A. Fitzpatrick Fox Sue Gimpel Margaret & Jonathan Hopkins Patrick Hudson & Gina Frasson-Hudson Irish-American Club of Kalamazoo Bruce & Dawn Kutney Marilyn Lenox-Bosma Mary Therese Meagher Mary Ann Redmond Kathyleen Stier Marion Strzelecki Ron & Margaret Strzelecki Thomas Tarleton Richard & Carol VanAntwerp Sherry Zeitler Jeanne ZumbursLois Currie Alan ForresterJoyce DeCrocker Howard & Jean WhaleyJoyce Doorlag Anonymous H. James & Sandy Austin Jesse & Janis Collins Garret & Martena Doorlag Marianne & James Houston Howard & Jane Kalleward

Paul & Beulah Shadley Mr. & Mrs. Don Smith Annamae & Philip Stohrer The Sweetland Family Mr. & Mrs. Don Vermeulen Mrs. Ilene VossJohn & Terry Duggan

Patricia & Ronald Newman Msgr. William Fitzgerald Shirley HornJohn P. Flynn

Ethlynn M. DewittFriends who have died Kathryn YargerEdward Gordon Linda & Tom PowellMrs. Helen Graham Mary H. FredeClayton & Eileen Haladay Margaret & Tim FranklinClarence Hamminga George & Roxanna YeagerRudy Hanson Linda & Tom PowellPaul Harasim Alton & Beverly PollardHarold J. Harris Phyllis & Harold HarrisJay Scott Heckler Jay & Diane HecklerDerrick Lee Hendricks

Maryann & Roy LarocqueRobert Hillsburg George & Barbara CollinsGrace Hoekstra Gertrude HoekstraTheresa Hollowell Susan & Dennis HollarAndy Holmes Ronald & Donna HolmesPatricia Smith & Violette Jones Sharon & Gerald JonesDenise Renee Julien Mr. Jef frey RostamiJohn Karnemaat John WaughR. Kennedy

Antonia & Douglas KennedyL. Robert Kline Grant KolbMr. & Mrs. Robert Koestner Thomas L. & Priscilla Swiat, Jr.Marguerite Kolb Grant KolbLance Lambert Martha VandelindeMinnie LaPoint Ronald & Donna HolmesSiuleo Lealofi Jean M. Lealof iJoyce Leep Susan & Robert RaskinLia Lemke Ellen L. PlanoLinda Renauld Lutz & Lisa Lutz Robert & Norberta RenauldRoy & Barbara Lynn David LintonFrank & Anna Malota JJ Sholder BlascoJ. Martinez

Antonia & Douglas KennedyMurray Maurer Marsh & Joyce Draper

Fred Meacher Shawn & Nancy HagenKatie Metheny Bob & Marguerite HigginsKathy Mizeur Vincent MizeurFrederick Myland Cass Hough Jr.James Naponly

Ellen & Robert KaufmanJackie Nemedi

Ron NemediDonna Nichols John WaughJaimie Oorbeck Martha VandelindeThomas Oorbeck

Jean OorbeckFrank Ossiff Jr. D. Ossif f & G. HansenBruce E. Otto Herbert & Sally BoyerDouglas Paul Alfred E. Bike Robert & Nina Baker Maggie & Bruce Binns Gordon & Jan Bundy Eileen Connell K . Norman & Rosemary Copeland Moyra M. Ebling Chuck & Tucky McCarthy Elliott Betty L. Glen Paul & Frances Gray Linda & Charles Hall Gaye Ellen Henderson Mary Hutchins John Kline Robert Hunt & Janet Kline-Hunt David Lundquist Dave & Ann Martin Durrell & Marsha McKenzie Helen Norris Lauren & Kenneth Parlin Tom & Gerry Schaberg Beverly Siemers Robin Silvestri Punch WoodsDiana Pfauth Patricia OswaltJohn Pletcher LaVerne & William PletcherTom Pyke Susan PykeMarguerite Reeves Mary Ellen & Donald OverbeekJim Reish Frances ReishJessica Renauld Robert & Norberta RenauldOswald & Alvina Renauld Robert & Norberta RenauldRick Richards Carol FlegalRoy & Eloise Robinson Mary Jane & Gordon RantzMary Roche Jan WalunasAntonia H. Rostami Mr. Jef frey Rostami Linda & Tom PowellDarrell M. Rostami Mr. Jef frey RostamiAugust Roty, Jr. M.D. Barbara Roty

Evelyn Runk Robert & Nina BakerFrances Russell Freeman RussellAnastasia Schauer John & Jamie LawlorMarilyn Scheel John F. ScheelMartin & Emma Schmitt Robert & Norberta RenauldMary von Schreiner Robert & Sharon Kammeraad Ione WilliamsBette Senecal Robert & Maryanne WardFoster L Sherwood Jr Marjorie SherwoodVictor Siemers Joan HartmanJoani Siwik Christine J. Siwik Edward & Pamela SiwikRev. James Smith Myron & Lois SchmidtTom Sonday Mark Shelly & Kim Henritzy Three Rivers Women’s ClubDeacon Robert L. Stevens Lana & Chuck OcvirekPearl Marie Renauld Stone & Douglas Stone Robert & Norberta RenauldEvelyn Summerville Laureen SummervilleHarold Sundberg Becky & Alex BigelowFrank Szopo III Marjorie Davies Mary Dykema Marilyn PotgiesserJosie (Hoekstra) Talsma Gertrude HoekstraThe Men Who Died in Vietnam Maria DeJony & Marty FranzRoon Visser Olga Visser Ineke F. WayJohn Wallace Martha SimpsonCarole Walsh Ronald & Nancy HoneysettShirley Walter Stan & Chris McGrewHazel Warmack

Dawn WarmackMaLinda Webster DaVonnah WoodruffKen & Lorraine Youngs Diana & Thomas HoyLawrence Ziring John & Jennifer Clark Richard & Patricia Kirschner Gary & Margaret Lincoln Linda & John Mason Linda Midler Scott & Janet Nykaza Ellen L. Plano Judy & Bob Rapp Vern & Lyda Stillwell Linda & Paul Wienir Raoul & Joann Yochim Raye ZiringBill Zuidema Irene Evans

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO GROUPS!COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: PANERA

For over 15 years, the Panera locations on Westnedge

and West Main Street have been placing donation

canisters near their cash registers for Kalamazoo

Loaves & Fishes. As customers enjoy a delicious

meal made with high-quality ingredients, they

are reminded that there are over 40,000 people

in Kalamazoo County who are not afforded the

same privilege. Over the past 15 years, Panera has

collected over $75,000 in community donations

towards a hunger-free community. Panera has also

added corporate gifts to this generous community

donation. “As the largest direct service food agency

in the county, we are so proud to collaborate with

another community partner that believes in making

a positive impact to our local food system,” shared

Greta Faworski, Resource Development Director.

KLF Board Members and Staff joined Panera staff to receive dollars collected over the past 12 months!

American Business Women AssociationBeyond OurselvesBoy Scout Troop 211Breakfast Optimist Club of KalamazooBridge BuddiesCeliac Support GroupCub Scout Pack 234Cub Scout Pack 289Delta Sigma PhiFamily, Career & Community Leaders of AmericaGirl Scout Troop 80482Girl Scout Troop 80615Hillside Middle School Student SenateHunter’s Place Condo AssociationInternational Brotherhood of Electrical WorkersIrish-American Club of KalamazooJust OursKalamazoo Action NetworkKalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers ClubKalamazoo Area RunnersKalamazoo Bridge CenterKalamazoo County Association of Retired SchoolKalamazoo County Dive TeamKalamazoo DanceKalamazoo Growlers Baseball TeamKalamazoo Kampers Good Sam Club #78Kalamazoo Public Schools Transportation AssociationKalamazoo Round Table

Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engine & Machinery ClubKalamazoo-Area Newcomers’ ClubKnights of Columbus 6980Knights of Columbus Council 1616Ladies Library AssociationLoy Norrix Peace JamMerze Tate Travel ClubMilwood Middle Social CommitteeNational Alliance for the Mentally IllPine Lake AssociationPortage Area Charities FundPortage Central High School National Honor SocietyRichland Fire AssociationRichland Red HatsSigma Chi FraternitySoftball FansSons of NorwaySpinlab Disc Golf ClubThe Bunco GroupThe Swingin’ 70’sThursday Bridge ClubTops-Michigan 539 ComstockUnited Steel Wokers Local 2-1010Utility Workers Union Local 150 AFL-C10Western Michigan University Greek LifeWestland Meadows Inspirational HourWMU AFSCME Local #1668WMU Football Team

We would like to say a special thank you to the following groups who raised food and funds during the past year!

Want to Help this Holiday Season?

Give a donation in honor of a loved one.

The perfect gift for the person who has it all.

Collect food or fund donations at your office

or family holiday gathering.

Add a donation to Loaves & Fishes to your

holiday wish list.

Spend a few hours at the warehouse helping

us sort food donations.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 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

UrgencyService

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 201Jackie Smith, Pantry Coordinator 221Carolyn Tyler, Operations Coordinator 222Mary Foley-Wilson, Bookkeeper 222Laura Winther, Donor Database Coordinator 206

Staff / Business Office269.488.2617 EXT.Joan Atwell, Call Center Coordinator 201Cherise Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator 209Mary-Elizabeth Bell, Finance Coordinator 222Paul 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

COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM

In 2010, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Senior Services, Area Agency on Aging, and The Salvation Army, launched the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education.

CSFP specifically serves low-income seniors, a population very vulnerable to food insecurity.

During the last fiscal year, up to 640 seniors were provided with additional food assistance every month through CSFP.

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