Published for the Friends and Volunteers of Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY TO CHANGE LIVES
SPRING 2012
74% increase in need prompts call for more Food, Funds and Friends The ill effects of the prolonged economic downturn continue to bring more people to Loaves & Fishes. The number of clients coming through the pantry doors increased by a staggering 74% between February 2011 and February 2012. The holiday season saw the operation working at full capacity. Executive Director/CEO Charles McLimans reported that on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, 204 families were served in four hours. “We saw that the maximum number of families we can handle is 50 per hour,” he said. “Any more and we will have to add more staff and more volunteers, and of course make sure there is enough food. What we need is food, funds and friends. We have to increase them in proportion to the need. We encourage every member of the community to join us in this endeavor.”
Clients Express Gratitude Many have admired the new facility in the year since it opened, but some of the most heartfelt compliments have come from the people who matter most: our clients. Gary began coming in 2008, when the housing bubble burst and with it, his job selling mortgages. “The facility is amazing,” he said recently. “It seems to get faster and faster every week, and they have more and more of a selection.” Laura is a mom who has used Loaves & Fishes for several years. Like Gary, she is effusive in her praise. “The setup is the best,” Laura commented. “They are the most friendly and give you so much – they are so generous with what they give.” The volunteers who assist at distribution also received high praise.“ They (the volunteers) are so nice,” Laura said. “You see the same ones over and over. There are smiles on their faces and they don’t make you feel bad about having to come here.” Visit our You Tube channel at Loaves & Fishes Naperville IL to see the full-length video containing Gary and Laura’s comments.
Seniors +48%
Single moms +113%
Families +91%
Children +121%
What a difference a year makes! Figures above compare January 2011 vs. January 2012. See full report on insert.
Looking Ahead to the Next 5 Years Loaves & Fishes redefined client dignity and empowerment during a major service model transformation in 2011. Sparked by the move to our new facility, every aspect of the Loaves & Fishes experience improved for our clients. Now the challenge is to continue the progress made in 2011. Executive Director/CEO Charles McLimans challenged the board of directors and staff to define the values and goals that will lead to the ultimate fulfillment of the mission and vision.
The goal of providing best possible operations discusses working with volunteers and staff to develop best practices in all operations areas, particularly in economical acquisition and best usage of resources. Recruiting, training, and recognizing volunteers will ensure we have skilled individuals to meet program demands. Inspiring donors to consistently fund Loaves & Fishes throughout the year will help to pay for services and programs.
The resulting new strategic plan for the next 5 years was ratified last November. It will guide continued improvements in service delivery built on a foundation of core values articulated during the plan’s development. These core values represent the Loaves & Fishes founding precepts: community, compassion, dignity, hope, and service.
Financial goals center on two main priorities: funding the programs and paying off the building by 2016. Loaves & Fishes has committed to fully funding all the programs we offer in a fiscally responsible manner. Budgeting appropriately means that programs are fully funded as they occur and the only long-term debt is the mortgage.
Goals defined within the strategic plan are divided into seven categories related to operations, service, fiscal responsibility, and community leadership.
In empowering clients to achieve self-sufficiency through Pathways to Empowerment, our clients will lead the way. We will continue to research and engage appropriate partners to address their challenges.
Chief among them is providing the broadest array possible of healthy and diverse food options. Loaves & Fishes will continue to identify and source products of high nutritional value and educate families in their preparation. Further, we will seek to broaden the array culturally, since ongoing language surveys reveal an increase in the diversity of native languages and ethnicities. Continuing our tradition of serving with dignity and compassion is essential. To this end, we will survey our service area periodically to ensure that we are reaching the people who need us most. We’ll then adjust our hours as needed.
Finally, Loaves & Fishes will broaden awareness of services and programs to all eligible Naperville and DuPage County residents and efficiently direct communications to encourage service utilization. While it is impossible to predict the state of the economy and extent of hunger in our community over the next five years, one thing is certain: this strategic plan coupled with targeted execution will assure that Loaves & Fishes will continue to be in the forefront of living our mission and vision of ending hunger and empowering lives. 1
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Bolliger, Chair Oracle Corporation
Barry Horek, Vice Chair CPA, Retired partner, Ernst & Young
Wendy Hayum-Gross, Secretary Mary Kay Cosmetics & NCC LCPC
Alice Sisbarro, Treasurer CPA
Charles McLimans Executive Director/CEO
Peggy Beata RLP Images
Tracey Cowart Cowart Chiropractic
Bill Garlough My Chef Catering
Harol-Deane Garren, Emerita Retired Teacher
Ron Haskell Attorney, Private Practice
Mike Havala Capital Markets Advisor
Jack Moore Marketing Executive
Matt Pfeiffer Attorney, Fuchs & Roselli Ltd.
Brian Ramaker
Director’s Corner: Freedom from Hunger At the time of this writing teenagers across America are eagerly awaiting the release of the motion picture, The Hunger Games, based on the wildly successful book by the same name that portrays a futuristic fantasy where teens fight each other to the death on live TV. And currently on live TV, we view a reality where presidential politicians seemingly wish to fight each other to the death! What is the world coming to?! Here at Loaves & Fishes, the continuation of expansive and rapid growth in our client population is something we take very seriously. Hunger is not a game, but rather a harsh reality for one out of every six persons across our nation that suffers from hunger and food insecurity. Serving Naperville and DuPage County throughout this past year has brought a 74% increase (Feb 2011 – Feb 2012) in family visits to our pantry (see insert). At Loaves & Fishes we believe that food is a right, and not a privilege. We believe that FREEDOM FROM HUNGER is also an essential human liberty inherent to our American way of life. The Declaration of Independence that founded our country was a redress against all forms of oppression. In the Bill of Rights, Amendment IX states: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. In order to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we the people must all have access to food. And in our generous and abundant nation and community no one, especially our children, should have to go to bed hungry. Hunger is a terrible form of oppression that we must all work unceasingly to abolish both at home and abroad. Please join us on June 14, 2012, Flag Day, to celebrate Freedom from Hunger during our fifth annual Day Without Hunger. We will have a patriotic theme, dedicate our new flagpole and ceremoniously raise the Stars and Stripes over Loaves & Fishes. We will pray for our country and for all those who suffer from hunger. We will reflect on our land of plenty, the land of the free and home of the brave, and together we will pledge our resolve to end hunger in our community!
Edward Jones
Burt Thomas Acxiom Corporation
MANAGEMENT TEAM Jody Bender Community Relations Director
Brad Carlson Interim Development Director
April Eichele Volunteer Manager
Jane French Grants and Web Manager
Cary Gilkey Operations Manager
Jane Macdonald Senior Program Director
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS Hilary Decent, Volunteer Writer Rachelle Hickey, Design Jody Bender, Editor
Loaves & Fishes 1871 High Grove Lane Naperville, Illinois 60540 Ph: 630.355.FOOD (3663) Fax: 630.355.0562 info@loaves-fishes.org www.loaves-fishes.org As a registered 501(c)(3) charity, all donations are fully tax-deductible. For more information on volunteering or to donate, please visit our website or contact the pantry at 630-355-3663.
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McLimans Receives “Abraham Lincoln” Award The Exchange Club accorded its highest accolade, the Abraham Lincoln Award, to Charles McLimans at its March 3rd One Nation Under God breakfast. This award is reserved for an individual, group or organization that has impacted the history of the community in which they live. Honorees are known for their humble beginnings, words, deeds, dedication and sacrifice. Exchange Club member John Dovale nominated McLimans for his “inspirational leadership during a period of extraordinary challenge and strategic growth.” Client Choice distribution and Pathways to Empowerment programs developed since McLimans
took the helm in 2008 emphasize dignity and respect toward Loaves & Fishes’ clients. Dovale also cited McLimans’ leadership in the design and construction of the Loaves & Fishes facility. Further, McLimans exemplifies his dedication to community through service on numerous not-for-profit boards. McLimans accepted the honor on behalf of everyone involved with Loaves & Fishes. “I always say, ‘We do it together’ and it is only with the help, faith, and good works that all of us share together that we are able to build up our community and nation,” he said.
See what a difference a year makes! WE COMPARE JANUARY 2011 WITH JANUARY 2012 CLIENTS SERVED
Seniors Single moms +48% +113% Children +121% Families +91%
JANUARY 2011
JANUARY 2012
CHANGE
4,523 people
9,561 people
+ 111%
296 single moms
630 single moms
+ 113%
547 seniors
808 seniors
+ 48%
366 disabled residents
562 disabled residents
+ 54%
1,843 children
4,082 children
+ 121%
1,271 families
2,425 families
+ 91%
2012
2012
Hours open for shopping +100%
2012
2012
Before and after photos showing Loaves & Fishes new High Grove location. Photos in center show previous location on West Fifth Avenue.
www.loaves-fishes.org volunteer • donate • support
Ending Hunger
Empowering Lives
1871 High Grove Lane • Naperville, IL 60540 • PH: 630.355.3663 (FOOD)
We did it with your help! WE COMPARE JANUARY 2011 WITH JANUARY 2012 JANUARY 2011
JANUARY 2012
CHANGE
3,351 Volunteer hours 5,850 Volunteer hours + 75% 48,318 pounds In-kind Donations
147,426 pounds In-kind Donations
+ 205%
IN-KIND DONATIONS +205%
VOLUNTEER HOURS +75%
EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS The space in our new facility gives us the ability to partner with leading local organizations to provide our client’s onsite access to a variety of community services addressing the root causes of hunger and food insecurity. Programs offered include: Car Seats and Car Seat Safety Classes Emotional Support English/Language skills Food Safety and Nutrition Job Search Assistance Money Management Public Benefit Application Assistance
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)
Emergency Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Tax Preparation Assistance (VITA)
CLIENTS REQUESTING PROGRAM ASSISTANCE NOV 2011-JAN 2012: 671
NEW LOCATION DRIVES MORE ACQUISITIONS AND PRODUCTS New sources More fresh & frozen food When you have a brand new food pantry attracting more clients, you also need more food to offer them. Donations from the public are always welcome, but they simply aren’t enough to feed hundreds of hungry families each week. Behind the scenes, former Pantry Manager Sue Hrovat talked about using other sources, from the Northern Illinois Food Bank and Costco to local grocery stores like Jewel and Casey’s. She’s also found several new ones happy to donate surplus stock. “We have doubled our service hours and offer ten times the amount of perishable food,” said Hrovat. “We’ve had to be creative because of the increase in demand.” Thanks to the addition of reach-in refrigerators, clients can choose from a host of fresh fruits and vegetables. More frozen meats and healthy choices fill the reach-in freezer.
DON’T MISS THE FOLLOWING EVENTS! Saturday, April 21st, 9 a.m.
THE HUMAN RACE On the final day of National Volunteer Week, Loaves & Fishes will be among local nonprofit organizations joining the Human Race, a 5K Run/ 2 mile Fitness Walk. Giving DuPage has organized this all-age, family-oriented opportunity to support volunteerism, which even includes pets in the Fitness Walk! The Human Race will take place at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Headquarters/Danada Forest Preserve behind the headquarters building on the west side of Naperville Road, north of Warrenville and south of Butterfield. View flyer and sign up to participate or support us on our TEAM PAGE!
Thursday, June 14 , 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. th
5TH Annual DAY WITHOUT HUNGER “FREEDOM FROM HUNGER”
Band will cap the day from 6-9 p.m. Watch our website www.loaves-fishes.org for more details.
Saturday, June 23rd, 8 p.m.
CONCERT TO END HUNGER, WENTZ HALL, NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE As part of National Hunger Awareness Month, Huntley Brown will entertain at a benefit concert for Loaves & Fishes. An acclaimed performer best known as Rev. Billy Graham’s pianist and whose style is influenced by several cultures, Mr. Brown was inducted into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame in 2010. Watch for complete information on ticket sales.
Friday, June 29th — Tuesday, July 3rd
RIBFEST 2012: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Exchange Club of Naperville and Ribfest both turn 25 this year! Volunteer as an individual, couple or team (families, neighbors or friends). Last year, nearly 140 volunteers earned us $35,000. Shifts run from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. or 4–10 p.m. Volunteers are needed on 6/30 from 11–5, on 7/1 from 4–10, and for both shifts on 7/2 and 7/3. Set-up assistance on 6/29 starting at noon would also be appreciated. Contact Nancy Malinowski at nancymalinowski@ameritech. net for details.
The warehouse handles 60,000 pounds of food a week, and more food also means more volunteers are needed to handle it. Fortunately donations are also up. In fact, in the first six months of this fiscal year more food was distributed than in the entire previous year.
This special Flag Day celebration will kick off at 7 a.m. with the dedication of the Loaves & Fishes flagpole display, a salute to our country and veterans, and a prayer breakfast immediately following at 7:30 a.m. An open house and food distribution will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a free community barbecue starting at noon. The “Freedom From Hunger Concert” featuring Brother John
Other fresh food now available includes a huge variety of bread, baked goods and dairy products.
Family Shares Unique Model for Giving
“The fridges and freezers have completely changed our operation,” Hrovat said.
“Now we have to manage more tasks and more people,” she added. “So we can always use more volunteers.” (Sue recently left Loaves & Fishes to focus on her family’s impending job-related move. Cary Gilkey has assumed the Operations Manger (Warehouse) role and Jane Macdonald is now Sr. Program Director, overseeing all program responsibilities.) Keep current on all our events by checking the Events page on our website. http:// www.loaves-fishes.org/events.html Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Loaves & Fishes news.
When 12-year-old Sam Qunell visited Loaves & Fishes, he immediately knew what his bar mitzvah project should be. After learning that every dollar the community food pantry receives buys $10 worth of food, he devised a unique fundraising campaign which involved not only his entire family, but the rest of his congregation as well.
congregation raised over $3,600 in a month. There are congregations all over Naperville ten times our size. Think of what we could do! There is no reason anyone in Naperville should be hungry.” Mimi said Sam’s visit to Loaves & Fishes proved to be quite an education.
With the help of www.peacemonger.org., the Qunells used the famous ‘Coexist’ bumper sticker as a model to produce grocery bags and tee shirts with the Loaves & Fishes name. Sales and donations to members of Congregation Beth Shalom raised more than $3,600.
“My kids are astonished when I tell them that likely some of their classmates are patrons of Loaves & Fishes,” she said. “They don’t otherwise realize that some kids in this very wealthy school district are getting breakfast and lunch supplements. Working with Loaves & Fishes really opened their eyes.”
Now Sam’s mother, Mimi, is encouraging other congregations and community groups to do the same. She is willing to donate the logo free to anyone who wants to raise more money for Loaves & Fishes.
Contact Mimi by mail: Mimi Qunell c/o Congregation Beth Shalom 772 W. Fifth Avenue Naperville, IL 60563
She says: “This is an excellent working model, and very easy to replicate. Our very small
Or email Jody Bender at jbender@loavesfishes.org.
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Cowart, Pfeiffer Join L&F Board Tracey Cowart
Matt Pfeiffer
Tracey Cowart of Cowart Chiropractic volunteered at distribution for three years before being appointed to the Board last fall. She began by answering a challenge from Kathy Blair of Giving DuPage to Naperville Area Chamber Ambassadors to spend 9/11 volunteering.
Attorney Matt Pfeiffer lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife Andrea and children Ben and Audrey. He practices in both Wheaton and Chicago at Fuchs & Roselli Ltd. As well as being on the board of Loaves & Fishes, he also volunteers for several professional committees for state and local bar associations and NIU College of Law.
Tracey says: “I volunteered and have never looked back. Loaves & Fishes is a nurturing place that is truly working on ending hunger in our community. When they asked me to be on the board, I felt honored to work alongside them.” In her spare time Tracey enjoys playing the bagpipes with the Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville.
Matt says: “I’ve seen all the good that this organization has done for so many needy families and individuals, and I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it. It’s wonderful to be associated with such positive humanitarian efforts, particularly those directed toward people within my home county.”
Smart Choice Tags Guide Clients st to Our co e a id v o r p y holida family er: n din 00
$20.
A chil d’s sm il durin g holi e d dinne ay r:
Reta of sa il value me m eal: $
44. 59
I want to provide family holiday meals & smiles for children who need our help: $20 Complete Holiday Meal for 1 family $40 Complete Holiday Meal for 2 families I want to help___families x $20 = ____ Name: ____________________________ Address: ___________________________ Phone: ____________________________ E-mail: ____________________________
Donate Now using your smart phone
Visit the Donate page on our website at www.loaves-fishes.org to make a secure, tax-deductible gift, or mail a check payable to Loaves & Fishes to: Loaves & Fishes, 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville, IL 60540
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March is National Nutrition Month, and a new initiative encourages clients to “Put Something Smart inYour Cart.” The Nutrition Advisory Council, headed by Toni Havala, reviewed nutrition guidelines to help clients recognize health-promoting foods on our shelves. These products will be identified with a red and green shelf tag (above). Targeted education materials will introduce clients to foods high in fiber and low in sodium, sugar, or fat so they can easily make healthy, economical food choices. This program will complement revised nutrition guidelines for school lunch programs.
Are YOU Our Next Volunteer? Loaves & Fishes may be hoping to end hunger in the community, but we will always be hungry for new volunteers. Volunteer Manager April Eichele recently conducted several successful promotions aimed at increasing the ranks of volunteers. Current volunteers brought 24 friends to work in February. The New Volunteer Open House on March 5th brought 80 visitors, with 45 signing up on the spot and 10 starting to volunteer the very next day. Volunteer recruitment is an ongoing priority. Volunteer opportunities include distribution, parking, warehouse and drivers. April says: “It’s a great environment and our mission is strong. We reach out to our community and those around us so it takes a lot of people.”