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Loaves & Fishes Welcomes Kalamazoo Area Newcomers' Club Donation
The Kalamazoo Area Newcomers' Club is an organization of friendship, activities and programs for their members as they adjust to a new location or life-style changes (such as career moves, new marriage, divorce, retirement, death of a spouse, etc.).
This past year, our Kalamazoo Area Newcomers' Club adopted as its charity focus for 2009, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, which has been the main charitable source of emergency grocery/food assistance for hungry individuals and families in Kalamazoo County for over 27 years.
KANC's monthly meetings were used as opportunities for collection of food items and check donations. The annual April fundraiser was also designated as an effort for Loaves & Fishes. A silent auction was organized to which their membership contributed 60 gently used & treasured items. Baskets w/gift certificates and an assortment of member contributions were also raffled in addition to lovely fabric floral arrangements created by the membership. The culmination of this project saw a grand total of $2750 presented to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes (see photo above).
"Through our experience we've learned that the need is great with a 29% increase in the number of people served through their Grocery Pantry Program in 2009," stated Olivia Morand, Co-Vice President of the KANC. "We've also learned that monetary contributions help Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes secure food needed to feed hungry people by purchasing through local partners like the Food Bank of South Central Michigan for pennies on the dollar," she continued.
The $2750 KANC donation will help individuals and families by providing at least 740 people with 4 days worth of food or a total of 2960 meals.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is honored that the Kalamazoo Area Newcomer's Club chose the organization as its focus for 2009 and thank them for their service to this community.
National City Employees Put Community First
During the month of May, local National City Insurance Group collected and donated a whopping 4,705 lbs of food for Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to distribute to hungry people in Kalamazoo County.
Collection organizer, Laurie Neeb, an employee-benefits analyst at NCIG, chose Loaves & Fishes because she knew that they distributed over 100,000 lbs monthly and the need was continuing to grow due to the difficult economic climate. "We knew we wanted to have a (charity) contest again, and I kept reading in the paper about struggling food banks and wanted to help," says Neeb. "[It was] an amazing experience," continues Neeb.
The competition was divided amongst 3 teams of employees. "We've always been a competitive group, but it goes much deeper," related NCIG Employee, Jenn Hammond. She continued, "Here at National City Insurance Group we have a motto that states 'Putting Clients First'. It's a principle we all stand by every day and it includes our community as well."
Throughout May, NCIG employees spearheaded donations from clients, family, and friends, and people in the team member neighborhoods all contributed to the success of this drive. Donations were also included from Bird's Eye and Pfizer, adding to the more than 4700 items collected.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes appreciates and admires the collaborative effort it took to make this collection such a huge success.
If your group is interested in holding a food drive or food drive competition, please call 269-488-2617 ext. 213, for more information.
"Let's Talk About Childhood Hunger..." Open House and Tour
On July 3, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will open up their doors after hours to highlight childhood hunger in the summer. Mark your calendars from 4-6 pm and plan to stop by for a reception and tour, and to find out more information about what happens to children when school is out for the summer.
For KLF, summer is no vacation - it is the highest demand time of the year. Last summer, more than 8200 children were served between June and the end of August. This year, we expect to provide service to more than 10,000.
Whether you're an individual or group, this warehouse tour and question and answer opportunity will help further explain what Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, as the largest provider of emergency food assistance in Kalamazoo County, faces in the weeks to come.
Our warehouse is located at 913 Alcott St., in Kalamazoo. Please click on the DIRECTIONS link on our home page for downloadable directions. Or for more information, or to RSVP to the reception and tour, please call or write Jennifer Johnson, 269-488-2617 ext. 213 or jennifer@kzoolf.org.
Help Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes highlight kids this summer by stopping by on July 3, from 4-6 pm.
[Also, think about attending the "Independence from Hunger" event at the Kalamazoo Kings, at 7:00 pm, that follows the reception and tour. Go to "news and events" for more information]
Laid Off Worker Aids Charities with Cards for Father's Day
"After Kerria Randolph was laid off from his job at a factory in Mendon in April, he was looking for some way to help those in need..."
For complete article, please click here.
(local article published by Kalamazoo Gazette - June 16, 2009)
Grainger: Passion for Community
The Grainger Foundation, based upon the recommendation of the local Grainger Branch Manager, Carol Hurley, donated $10,000 to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes in April.
"Grainger is proud to be supporting Loaves & Fishes...Grainger, much like Loaves & Fishes, is passionate about being ready to serve our local community in [this] time of need," said Carol Hurley, Branch Manager of Grainger's Kalamazoo facility. "Our local team wanted to make an immediate impact in this area and we thought that supporting Loaves & Fishes was the best way to do that."
The impact will be immediately felt as the $10,000 donation will allow Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes to purchase the equivalent of two and a half semi trucks worth of food that can be distributed through the KLF Grocery Pantry Program.
Donations like these are more importtant than ever since rising numbers of people in our local community are struggling to make ends meet. Students, workers seeking jobs, and senior citizens are a part of the growing number of people requesting emergency food assistance each week.
If you would like to know how your business can contribute funds to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, please contact Anne Wend Lipsey, at 269-488-2617 ext. 208.
Help Feed Hungry Children with "Independence from Hunger" Food and Fundraiser on July 3
On July 3rd, 2009, the Kalamazoo Kings will host the 3rd Annual "Independence from Hunger" food and fundraiser, at 7 pm, at Homer Stryker Field, with benefits going to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
This year, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and the Kalamazoo Kings are focusing on childhood hunger. We're seeking groups to raise awareness about the number of school children that will go without meals in the summer months because lack of access to a low or no-cost school based lunch program. By selling advance tickets to this event or by hosting a food drive during the month of June, you can actively do something to help children in our community.
Pre-sold tickets can be purchased at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes for $5 each. If you wait to purchase your ticket until the night of the game - ticket prices will be $6. As an alternative to paying the ticket price that night, just bring in 5 canned good items and your ticket will be FREE at the park, on July 3.
Come celebrate our country's independence by encouraging our local children's "independence from hunger." Contact 269-488-2617 ext. 213 for more information.
"Independence from Hunger" Food Drive Wish List
KLF is seeking "kid friendly" foods like:
Monthly Wish List
The "monthly wish list" is generated from the KLF warehouse and highlights one food item or category that is greatly needed - per month.
June: Main Meal Dishes
(Spaghetti w/meat, ravioli w/cheese, beef stew, pork & beans)
July: Canned Fruit (much needed!)
For more information, email Jennifer@kzoolf.org or call 269-488-2617 ext. 213.
Click here for a complete "food drive wish list"
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