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Grocery Pantry Program
The Grocery Pantry Program (GPP) is our primary food assistance distribution program. During our 2018/19 fiscal year, the GPP filled 146,578 food orders to over 28,000 unduplicated individuals. During busy periods, we can see more than 1,000 local residents in need utilize this program during a single day. Our COVID-19 temporary model serves an average of 500 people per day via curbside pick-up at select pantry locations.
How The Grocery Pantry Program Works
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes usually distributes food at 30 Grocery Pantry Sites throughout Kalamazoo County, including those located in the outer county areas (Galesburg, Richland, and Vicksburg), and a site at the main Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes' facility. These sites are neighborhood-based and located along easily-accessible transport routes for convenience. However, during COVID-19 we're only distributing curbside from a handful of our usual 30 pantries..How To Utilize The Program
People in need of food assistance should call our "Need Food" line at 343-FOOD (3663) to request same day service. Our call center is currently open Monday thru Friday from 9 am - 2:30 pm. Please call as close to 9 am as possible as pantries tend to fill up quickly. Caseworkers may schedule on behalf of a client and/or pick-up pre-packed food orders for clients.Currently, the Grocery Pantry Program can be accessed twice per calendar month for a total of 24 yearly visits.
At the pantry, individuals will receive both perishable and non-perishable food items that reflect the USDA's guidelines of protein, fruits and veggies, and grains.
Each food order contains four days worth of food for each member of their family.
The household member picking up the order needs to present their I.D.
Quick-Print GPP Flyers
English FlyerNecesita Folleto de Comida
Besoin de Nourriture Flyer
See Pantries Located On The Metro Bus Line
Click here for food distribution sites located on the Metro Transit bus line.
School-Based Pantries
KLF's school-based pantries are highly effective at reaching students and families struggling with hunger. These pantries make it convenient for children, teens, and families to access our services in a familiar neighborhood environment. These pantries provide four-day food orders to students and their families. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes also operates four hybrid pantries in local schools offering snacks and single-serve meals to kids and teens.
Because of COVID-19, our school-based pantries are not currently operating in their traditional sense, but KLF works with Communities In Schools to identify students and families that are in need to food during the pandemic.
During KLF's 2018-2019 fiscal year, school pantries provided 2,604 four-day food orders and distributed nearly 50,000 pounds of food.
