Today when I visited the Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, I was
expecting an old building in the worst part of town. Instead, I was pleased to
find that we were entering a very clean, new and efficient facility that was
needed for the organization.
I was shocked to learn that last year over 100,000 people in Kalamazoo County received assistance from the organization.
I was shocked to learn that last year over 100,000 people in Kalamazoo County received assistance from the organization.
Upon entering the facility, the leader of our group told us
that the facility was built nearly two years ago and was designed to fit the
needs of that specific shelter. I was pleased to see that the organization made
an effort to make the pantry seem like an actual grocery store. However, I
noticed that there wasn’t much food on the shelves. So I leaned over to Casey
and said:
“It doesn’t look like there’s that much on the shelf…”
“It doesn’t look like there’s that much on the shelf…”
Though, I was soon relieved when we walked into the
warehouse and saw stockpiles of canned goods, cereals, crackers, you name it.
Stocked up to the ceiling.
Casey leans over to me and says,
“Doesn’t look very empty now, does it?”
“Nope.”
I learned how important the power of only one dollar could do for this organization. According to our guide, one dollar can give one person breakfast, lunch and dinner for a whole day.
That’s incredible!
Casey leans over to me and says,
“Doesn’t look very empty now, does it?”
“Nope.”
I learned how important the power of only one dollar could do for this organization. According to our guide, one dollar can give one person breakfast, lunch and dinner for a whole day.
That’s incredible!
As we continued talking I also discovered that people from
all over the city walk in the earliest hours of the morning to Loaves and
Fishes to wait in line to assure that they’re going to get food that day.
I was so thrilled that this incredible organization was built and within walking distance of my own house, but I was also disappointed that I’ve spent 3 years in Kalamazoo, and have never heard about it until this semester.
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes is an excellent place to get assistance with groceries. The staff is friendly, helpful and provide a shame-free space for people to get assistance.
I just wish more people knew about this place.
I was so thrilled that this incredible organization was built and within walking distance of my own house, but I was also disappointed that I’ve spent 3 years in Kalamazoo, and have never heard about it until this semester.
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes is an excellent place to get assistance with groceries. The staff is friendly, helpful and provide a shame-free space for people to get assistance.
I just wish more people knew about this place.
I felt the same way when we walked into the first pantry! There was nothing on the shelves and then you go into the warehouse and then say to yourself I was wrong. I agree that more people need to know about it, I mean we all use social media. We should try to volunteer there and get it all over our social media!
ReplyDeleteBack at home, with the food pantries I have volunteered at, they are all in old buildings in not great parts of town. I too, incorrectly assumed the location and type of area for the location of Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
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