Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes believes advocacy is a critical component in our fight to alleviate hunger.

Through partnerships with local and national anti-hunger organizations, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes works to support and strengthen programs and policies that ensure access to adequate food resources for everyone in Kalamazoo County and beyond.

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is focused on supporting:

• the well-being of our most vulnerable community members, like kids, through addressing childhood nutrition;
• the economic security of low-income populations through means such as the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit;
• basic food accessiblity, through local initiatives like Farmers’ Markets;
• regional food movements, like the Michigan Good Food Charter;
• national food policies, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as Food Stamps and the Food & Farm Bill;
• other issues affected and caused by food insecurity, like homelessness (click here to read the 2010 U.S. Mayors Report on Hunger & Homelessness);

and much more. By connecting community members with the tools they need to advocate for change, we can effectively support legislation that meets the critical needs of everyone.

There are many ways you can make a difference in helping our community achieve food security
both locally and nationally.

With resources at the tips of your fingers, the next step is easy.

• Try tackling the Food Stamp Challenge where you experience what it would be like to live on a SNAP budget.
• Join our Advocacy e-Newsletter mailing list to stay current on important hunger issues. From there you can read about current legislation, upcoming events, and ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact your Senator or Representative to let them know your views on the state of food insecurity in Kalamazoo County. Is there a national issue you feel deserves more attention? Contact your Members of Congress at 877-698-8228.
• Visit our Advocacy Events page to see what’s coming up in the world of anti-hunger activism.
• Volunteer at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes in a variety of roles where you can represent the organization and our values in the community.

Questions or comments? E-mail us at advocacy@kzoolf.org