Without access to daily meals through their schools, millions of children are forced to go hungry during the summer. During the school year, 70 percent of Kalamazoo Public School students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches — meals that are not available during the summer months. First Presbyterian Church has long been a supporter of Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, so that families don’t have to miss meals. With just $1, KL & F provides enough food for three meals.

To donate food, there are two large bins near the Gathering Place and by the front door of the church, where people can leave their donations.

To make a gift by mail, send your check, made out to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes,
901 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. To give online, visit the website https://kzoolf.org/

Items that are in high demand at this time are:

Jelly/Jam
Cereal
Canned Soups and Stews
Meals in a Box (like Hamburger Helper)
Shelf-Stable Almond or Rice Milk
Baking Mixes (like Jiffy or Bisquick)
Ensure® or similar protein drinks
Canned Meat
Shelf-Stable Tortillas
Granola Bars and Children’s Snacks
Microwavable Foods (like rice in a bag)
Special Diet Foods (e.g. gluten-free)

And for the month of June, the wish list includes healthy snacks with low sugar and low
sodium — granola bars, fruit snacks, trail mix, and string cheese

Our church also contributes by directly volunteering with Loaves & Fishes. To volunteer your time, please contact Marty Meloche of the Outreach Committee.

A few more facts from Loaves & Fishes:
 
In 2022, KLF registered 2,007 new households — the highest for any given year in its history.

Between December 2021 and December 2022, KLF’s service numbers increased by 62%.

KLF is expecting to spend approximately $1.6 million on food this year; 187% higher than two years ago. In 2023, food inflation is expected to be around 7%; lower that it has been recently, but still well above historical rates.

  • 1 out of 6 people in Kalamazoo struggle with hunger each day.
  • Nearly 38,000 local residents, including more than 9,000 children, are food insecure.