This time of year many of us are working hard to solidify our summer plans as schools begin to wrap up final lessons and prepare for a much-desired break. Kids are getting restless for long days of freedom and no homework. It can be easy to forget that childhood hunger never takes a vacation.
At Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes (KLF) our busiest months are June, July and August. When schools close for the summer, thousands of children and teens lose access to school meal programs, which are often their only source of nutrition during the day.
Adequate nutrition is important for everyone but is especially vital for young people. Experiencing food insecurity, even for a short period of time, can have a long-lasting impact, including health problems, academic delays and socio-emotional distress. Children simply cannot live up to their potential when their bodies are not adequately fueled.
Fortunately, our caring community can help alleviate childhood hunger this summer through our Food is Fuel Summer Campaign for Kids. Here are some small ways you can help drive out childhood hunger this summer:
Spread awareness
Hunger can be an invisible problem. For many, it doesn’t seem possible that more than 35,000 individuals in Kalamazoo County struggle to find their next meal. This number includes nearly 9,000 children and teens — 16% of those under age 18 in our community. During the summer these numbers spike, and many families find themselves facing food insecurity for the first time. For working families, in addition to losing access to school meals, child care costs increase during the summer, further stretching already-limited budgets. Understanding and accepting that childhood hunger is a problem in our area is the first step in making a difference this summer.
Organize a food drive
KLF serves between 800 and 850 people daily through our Grocery Pantry Program. That’s a lot of food moving through our hunger-relief programs each day. Community food drives provide not only 10% of the food we distribute, but also items that can be difficult and very expensive for us to purchase in bulk.
You can host a drive in your neighborhood, at your workplace, at your place of worship, or even at the backyard BBQ you are hosting. All food donations are welcome, but we love items that address special dietary needs such as gluten-free or low-sodium items. Easy-to-make items like microwavable macaroni-and-cheese or ravioli are great for kids who are home alone during the day and cooking for themselves. For more tips and suggestions, visit our Food Drive Kit at kzoolf.org/food-drive-kit-2.
Volunteer
The mighty force behind our mission has always been our volunteers. With a small staff and lots of moving parts, KLF relies on volunteers in nearly every aspect of our organization. Whether you prefer working directly with the community or helping in the background, there is a place for you to volunteer. We have opportunities for both individuals and groups as well as one-time or ongoing commitments. Our volunteer coordinator, Jillian Bryant, can guide you through the options available. To learn more, contact Jillian at 488-2617 ext. 209 or jillian@kzoolf.org.
Donate
People are often surprised to learn that our organization purchases between 40% and 60% of the food we distribute. We can’t operate without donations of food and time, but monetary donations are essential to move our mission forward. KLF spends nearly $1.7 million on food each year. Because of our connections with the wholesale market and charitable food network, we really know how to stretch a dollar. You can go to the grocery store and buy a box of cereal for $5, but we can take that same $5 and buy a case of cereal.
Monetary donations also help us keep our vehicles on the road delivering food and our staff connecting clients with the resources they need.
We accept monetary donations in many forms, including IRA-qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised-fund gifts and stocks. Donations to KLF are tax-deductible. For more information on alleviating childhood hunger through a financial gift, contact me at 488-2617 ext. 208 or greta@kzoolf.org.
Engage others to fight hunger
If you are passionate about making sure kids have enough to eat, chances are you know others who feel the same. Volunteer with your co-workers. Bring a friend to tour our facility. Share this article with family members and challenge them to get involved. Create a fundraiser on social media and encourage others to give financially.
KLF was built on a foundation of community members joining forces to make sure every member of our community has enough food to eat to live a healthy and active life. That culture of collaboration continues today, and we invite you to be a part of it.
