Advocate for Child Nutrition Act

Important programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the Summer Food Service Program currently have an unclear future. The reauthorization of the Child Nutrition & WIC Act will determine funds, the number of children and women served, and the nutritional guidelines of the program.

If you feel nutrition is a priority for kids and young mothers, click here to read more about the Reauthorization Act. For more information on the nation's broader child nutrition initiative, click here.

Check this site regularly for updates on the Act as well as information on new advocacy issues and ways you can get involved.

4th Annual Independence From Hunger

The 4th annual Independence From Hunger sadly was a loss for the Kalamazoo Kings but it was also a great night for Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.

Over 155 pounds of food was donated and $875 was raised through ticket sales. These food and funds will benefit many hungry children throughout Kalamazoo County this summer.

The St. Joseph Catholic Church children's choir was also in attendance. Choir member, Jacob, threw the first pitch after singing the national anthem with the group.

Other agencies present were Big Brother Big Sister, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Family and Children's Services, and Community Healing Center.

Thanks to all the fans and supporters that came together to help kids achieve independence from hunger this summer!  

Belly Dance for KLF

Bellydance Kalamazoo is offering a free introductory class with the donation of two non-perishable food items on Sunday, August 22.

This is a 90-minute 'sneak peak' at the traditional art of belly dancing at The Bullard School, 431 E. South St. Anyone 13 years of age or older is welcome but you must pre-register.

To sign up or get more information about belly dancing, click here.

KLF Welcomes New Volunteer Coordinator

As of July 2010, KLF has a new volunteer coordinator: Laura Winther. Laura comes to us from Sarah Lawrence College in New York where she received her master's degree. She earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University.

Aside from being our new volunteer coordinator, she also teaches writing at WMU, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Grand Valley State University.

"I'm really looking forward to finding new ways to utilize volunteers' wide range of skills to further Loaves & Fishes' reach in the community," Laura said.

Meet Laura by stopping into the main office, giving her a call at 488-2617 ext. 209 or sending her an e-mail at laura@kzoolf.org.

Federal Program Helps Seniors and Mothers

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a collaboration between area agencies and the State of Michigan aimed at offering food resources to senior citizens and mothers who are not receiving WIC assistance.

Approximately $50 worth of food is distributed once a month at The Salvation Army, 1700 S. Burdick. Food packs should provide recipients with 12-15 days of nutritious meals consisting of items like cereal, beef stew, juice and pasta.

Registration is required. For more information on distribution times, eligibility requirements, partnering agencies, or to register, please click here.

Myths About People in Poverty

Ismael Ahmed, state director of the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS), busts some common myths about those utilizing public assistance, such as food stamps, in a recent article from the Gaylord Herald Times.

He says currently about one third of the people in Michigan are living near or in poverty, which means record numbers may be seeking public assistance in the near future.

For those who don't qualify for benefits or those who may need more help, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is available. Our need food line is 343-3663.   

Annual Food Forum Held on June 11

The 2010 Food Assistance Forum, coordinated by the Greater Kalamazoo United Way, brought together local agencies that either distribute emergency food assistance to people in Kalamazoo County or make referrals to those organizations that do. 

Several organizations were present including Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, The Salvation Army, Affordable Housing Partnership, Fair Food Matters, Department of Human Services, Housing Resources Inc., Senior Services, and the Food Bank of South Central Michigan, among others.

The goal of having so many organizations present was to inform one another of any programming updates for the summer and highlight the ways agencies can help clients, and each other, get food into the hands of hungry people.

"Most of the time when we [agencies] talk to someone, they're not dealing with just one issue," said Tim Ruddon, from Gryphon Place. "Most people are really just trying to find ways to get help."

The Food Bank of South Central Michigan's Hunger in America 2010 study reported in detail the number of food insecure households in the area. Dan Salerno, the Food Bank's director of fund development, commented on the large number of first time emergency food clients he saw while conducting the study.

Participating organizations announced their upcoming and current programs, such as the continuing acceptance of EBT cards at the Kalamazoo Farmer's Market and the People's Food Co-Op, as told by Fair Food Matters. South County Community Services announced their Angel Food Ministry Program, where clients purchase a pre-made box of specific foods. The Department of Human Services and the local WIC office reminded area agencies on their programs supporting SNAP benefits and the EBT card.

For more detailed information on available programs, please click the organization below you'd like to know more about.

Gryphon Place                    Food Bank of South Central Michigan
The Salvation Army             Department of Human Services (DHS)
WIC                                   Senior Services, Inc.
Fair Food Matters               South County Community Services
Ministry with Community     Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

Kalamazoo Public Schools Offer Summer Food

As of June 28, 2010 free meals will be available to children under the age of 18 or adults up to 26 years old who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. The only requirement is that the meals be eaten on site.

Meals will be provided from June 28 to August 13 at the following locations and times:

Boys and Girls Club, 915 Lake Street at 12:00 p.m.
Douglass Community Center, 1000 West Patterson at 12:00 p.m.
Linden Grove Middle School, 4241 Arboretum Parkway at 12:00 p.m.
Emmanual Church, 1301 N. Burdick at 12:00 p.m.
Interfaith Homes, 1037 Interfaith Boulevard at 12:00 p.m.
Lincoln Elementary, 912 N. Burdick at 12:00 p.m.
Northeastern Elementary, 2433 Gertrude Street at 11:30 a.m.
Upjohn Park, 1018 Walter Street at 12:00 p.m.
Northside Association, 622 N. Park Street at 12:00 p.m.
New Genesis, 1340 Cobb Street at 12:30 p.m.
Prairie Ridge Elementary, 2294 S. 9th Street at 11:30 a.m.
Woods Lake Elementary, 3215 Oakland Drive at 12:00 p.m.
New Horizon Learning Village, 2400 St. Albans Way at 12:00 p.m.
Spring Valley in the Park, 2600 Mt. Olivet Road at 12:00 p.m.
Y.O.U., 422 E. South Street at 12:00 p.m.
Milham Park, 400 E. Kilgore Road at 12:00 p.m.

Food will not be served July 5. All other dates and times are subject to change. If you have any questions about the KPS Summer Food Service Program, please call Damian Andrews at 337-0147.

KLF Launches Mobile Food Initiative

One of Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes' newest programs, the Mobile Food Initiative, launched June 19, 2010, feeding 340 people. The goal of this program is to get additional supplies of emergency food into the hands of people who need it within Kalamazoo County. 

As a partnership with the Food Bank of South Central Michigan, the MFI distributes various perishable and non-perishable food items, such as fruits and vegetables, at specific sites throughout Kalamazoo County. 

Food is distributed on a first come first serve basis. As with most other KLF programs, there are no eligibility requirements or paperwork to fill out. Food is free to local residents. Specific food items vary among dates and locations.

One MFI distribution site is at the Kalamazoo Community Church, 2435 North 26th Street. Visit their website at www.mykcc.org or view the map here for directions. This site is open every third Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m.

The second MFI distribution site is at Saint Andrew Community Church, 3631 Covington Road. Head west off of Sprinkle Road and then about half a mile south of Wings Stadium. This site is open every fourth Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. 

The third site is Vicksburg United Methodist Church, 217 South Main St., which is open July 31, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 at 10 a.m.

For more information, read the full press release here or call our Services Director at 488-2617 ext. 207.

Author Pushes for Better School Lunches

Janet Poppendieck, author of "Free for All: Fixing School Food in America", urged parents to start advocating to better their children's school diets at the Bronson Gilmore Center for Education on June 1. (Click here to read the article from the Kalamazoo Gazette).  

In a world where french fries are seen as a fresh vegetable and obesity rates are climbing, Poppendieck offers suggestions for everyone in the community to revamp the next generation's diet.

Feeding Opportunity Report Looks at Child Hunger

The Feeding Opportunity report by the Center for American Progress looks in-depth at childhood hunger in America and key strategies to alleviating poverty throughout the country.

According to Joel Berg, the report's author, "taking simple and cost-effective measures could end child hunger in America, and they would be an important down payment toward cutting U.S. poverty in half within a decade."

At-Home Growing Tips for Summer

Spring is here and summer is on its way, so get your garden ready for summer planting! Need some ideas on what to grow in Michigan this summer? Well, here you go.

Tomatoes are great for both new and experienced gardeners. Plant some baby plants (seedlings) directly in the ground; if you're short on space, plant them in large pots. Tomatoes like lots of sun and deep watering. So instead of watering your plants a little every day, try giving your plants more water less frequently.

Remember to find a way to support your plants before they get too big. Give your tomato plants water, sun and love, and in return, you'll enjoy a delicious harvest. Plant some basil next to your tomatoes and your plants will be happy together (and make a great salad).

If you are new to gardening, beans are an easy vegetable to grow. Soak your seeds for a few hours before planting, then plant them about one inch under the soil, and give them plenty of water.

Some types of beans need a trellis or support to climb; you can plant beans near a fence or construct a simple design with wooden stakes and string. Beans grow fairly quickly, so if you get some green beans in the ground now, you'll be reaping the rewards of your work by the end of July.

As you enjoy the bounty from your garden this summer, remember that you can also donate your produce to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes. Happy gardening!

- Seema Jolly, KLF Volunteer Coordinator

What Does Food Stamp Use Look Like in Your Area?

In a recent edition of the New York Times, food stamp use was found to be on the rise, but not everywhere you'd expect.

California enrolls only half of those eligible. Hidalgo County, Texas ties the Bronx, New York for highest enrollment numbers in big cities. Missouri is the state with the highest enrollment numbers in the entire country.

Click here to see enrollment numbers for households, individuals, children and different races, for your specific county.