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.
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.