|
1. What is the Greater Kalamazoo Area Holiday Food Drive?
It is the largest holiday food distribution program on the West side of Michigan. It
provides a week's worth of food for families needing a helping hand during the holiday
season.
2. Where is it held?
The food drive is held at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds at 2900 Lake Street in
Kalamazoo, Michigan.
3. When is it?
This year it will be held on Friday, December 18th and Saturday, December 19th, 2009.
4. Who receives the food?
Families that have applied at the Salvation Army and families that have been
identified by participating schools.
5. What is in the food boxes?
Each family receives chickens, turkey rolls, fresh vegetables (including potatoes,
onions, and carrots), bread, apples, flour, sugar, rice, canned fruit, soup, canned
vegetables, cookies, pasta, cereal, macaroni and cheese and other nonperishable food items.
6. How does a family qualify to receive food?
Families apply at The Salvation Army in Kalamazoo. The Salvation Army is located at
1700 South Burdick, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their telephone number is
269-344-6119.
7. Where does the food come from?
The majority of the nonperishable foods come from area schools, area law enforcement agencies and a few area churches. All of the schools
in the Kalamazoo Public Schools, Mattawan Consolidated Schools and Paramount Charter
Academy hold food drives between Thanksgiving and December 18. In addition, students from
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, as well as employees of the city and
county of Kalamazoo collect food. Monetary donations are used to purchase bulk food from
the Food Bank of South Central Michigan at a greatly reduced price. In addition, area
merchants donate food items or sell items at greatly reduced prices.
8. What if I would like to collect food?
We are always looking for people or organizations who would like to collect food for the food drive.
If you or someone you know would like to collect food, please contact us at the email address below!
Thanks in advance!
9. Are volunteers needed?
Yes! Volunteers are needed from 6:00pm on Friday, December 18th and from
9:30am on Saturday, December 19th. On Friday, volunteers will sort the thousands of items
donated. On Saturday beginning at 9:30 am, volunteers will pack the boxes. Volunteers
are also needed to make deliveries beginning at
10:00 am.
10. Do I have to deliver if I pack boxes on Saturday?
No. You may pack only. You may deliver only. You may pack and deliver if you would like.
11. If I deliver, how will I know where to go?
A typical delivery would be to 1-2 families. The volunteer making the delivery would
pick up a delivery list from the delivery table. The list will have the names and
addresses of the 1-2 families receiving the food. Also included is a map with
the recipients' addresses highlighted. After picking up a delivery list, food boxes
along with fresh meat and vegetables are loaded into the volunteer delivery car, van or
truck.
12. Do I have to sign up to volunteer?
No! Just come to the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds at 3900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo,
Michigan.
13. Can groups volunteer?
Yes! Groups are welcome. If the groups are scouts or groups of youth, be aware that
the boxes become very heavy and strong arms are needed to carry them. Also, please be
sure there is adult supervision for children. This is a very big operation with tons of
food. Children must be supervised at all times.
14. Can families volunteer?
Yes! This has become a family tradition for many families in the Kalamazoo Area. We
are usually visited by Santa, Tony the Tiger and other characters from Kellogg's.
Again, be sure the children are with an adult to help carry the box!
15. Can I make a donation?
Yes! Donations of food are accepted at all Kalamazoo Public and Mattawan
Consolidated Schools. Checks can be made out to the Greater Kalamazoo Area Holiday Food Drive and
can be dropped off or mailed to the Woodward School for Technology and Research at 606
Stuart Ave. Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007. We are a 501*3 nonprofit organization
recognized by the State of Michigan.
16. Is there someone I can talk to if I have more questions?
Yes. There are two committee members that will answer additional questions. They
are: Hugh Hoyle @ 269-349-8023 and/or Anne Triemstra @269-385-2361. You can
also send us an email at:
|
