Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes got its start in several downtown Kalamazoo congregations in the early 1980’s. A group of individuals recognized that their neighbors were struggling to put food on the table so they took up the charge to fill the food gap. What they didn’t know at the time is that their initiative to lend a hand would have a profound impact on our community. Today, those efforts have grown into an organization that, while no longer religiously affiliated, welcomes people of all faiths. With help from people of all beliefs and backgrounds, we provide an average of 700 people with groceries each day.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is a ‘Food Bank Plus.’ This means that we acquire food through donations and our pennies-on-the-pound purchasing power, and distribute food at 77 distribution sites throughout Kalamazoo County via our five food programs.