GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — West Michigan food pantries and nonprofits are offering reduced services and are providing takeaway meals to those who need it amidst the COVID-19 food services restriction.
Effective Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered that all restaurants and bars statewide prohibit dine-in services. Takeaway and delivery services are still allowed.
Here is a list of food pantries that are offering reduced services or take-away options organized by county:
Kent
Buist Community Center
Building is closed. Drive-up services will be offered. Detailed instructions are available on their website. Saturday hours are for clients that work during the week or have transportation issues.
Service Times: Monday 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday March 21 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Fair Food Network's Double Up Food Bucks
Amidst the current COVID-19 situation, Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program doubles the value of federal nutrition (SNAP or food stamps) benefits spent at participating markets and grocery stores. If you and/or someone you know already participates in the Double Up program, this is a reminder that you can choose to utilize your already earned Double Up dollars on produce at some of your local stores and farmers markets. For additional information on your account and locations that accept Double Up, visit this website.
Feeding America West Michigan
Feeding America west Michigan will have two places to pick up food each week in a drive-thru model. Attendees should place empty boxes, plastic tubs or laundry baskets in their trunk for approximately 50 pounds of food to be loaded into by volunteers. The two mobile pantries are located at:
Ada Bible Church (1640 East Paris Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546)
First date: Thursday, March 26
Ongoing dates: Every other Thursday
Time: 5 p.m.
Grandville Church of Christ (3725 44th St SW, Grandville, MI 49418)
First date: Friday, March 27
Ongoing dates: Every other Friday
Time: 5 p.m.
Woodland Mall (3195 28th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49512): Northwest parking lot between Tricho Salon and Von Maur)
First date: Wednesday, April 1
Ongoing dates: Every other Wednesday
Time: 4 p.m.
Flat River Outreach Center
Building is closed to the public. Starting March 23 extended hours will be offered. Drive-up services are being offered.
Address: 11535 Fulton St. E, Lowell, MI 49331
Service Times: Monday (starting March 23) 2 p.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday 5 p.m.-8 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Green Apple Pantry
Building is closed. Drive-up services will be available. Please bring ID and mail for all family members.
Service Times: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m.-1:45 p.m., Thursday 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
God's Kitchen Take-Away Meal Service
Dining room closed. Takeaway pickup located at the back of the building. Diapers and wipes available for existing clients.
Service times: Monday through Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Heartside Gleaning Initiative
The Heartside Gleaning Initiative has a new Good Food Box program. They will be delivering fresh produce to 50 families in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood in partnership with Mercy Health, The Hispanic Center and National Kidney Foundation.
Kent County Community Action
Distribution for seniors (60+) will be via drive-up/walk-up on Friday, March 20 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. TFAP distribution for families with children will be via drive-up/walk-up on Thursday the 26th, from 1-6 p.m.
North End Community Ministry
Building is closed. Clients will be given food boxes at the door.
Service times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Northwest Food Pantry
Building closed. Pantry will resume services Tuesday March 24. Food will be handed out at the door. Please bring proof of address.
Service times: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
North Kent Connect
Food donations will not be accepted. Clients can receive their monthly pantry items by driving up to the building during any one of the following days:
Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. starting Wednesday, March 25, and continuing through April 13.
North Kent Connect is asking the community to purchase a food box through their website. Each box costs $13.75 and will provide a family of four with five meals.
The Other Way Ministries
Building closed. Pick-up services will be available. Delivery is being considered for those who cannot leave their home.
Service times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Tuesday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
SECOM Resource Center
Building is closed. Wait in parking lot and call 452-7684 option 3 for service.
Service times: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM)
Building closed. Please wait in car and call 616-241-4006 for service.
Service times: Monday 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Thursday 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
Muskegon
Muskegon Food Pantry
Drive-thru or walk-up service available. Diapers and wipes available for existing clients.
Address: 1095 Third St., Muskegon, MI 49441
Service times: Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ottawa
Community Action House
Building closed. Pick-up available in parking lot. Clients will receive 7 days worth of food instead of 4.
Address: 345 W 14th St, Holland, MI 49423
Service times: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Harvest Stand Ministries
Building closed. Drive-up services available.
Service times: Monday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday 1 p.m.-6 p.m., and Thursday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
The People Center
Building closed. If you are in need of emergency food call 616-844-6710 for assistance.
Service times: Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mason
Lakeshore Food Club
Food boxes will be distributed to those in need through a drive-thru style beginning on March 20. The food bank will close temporarily from 12 p.m. Wednesday to Thursday to prepare for the transition.
Box pick up appointments will be available between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Lakeshore Food Club is asking that anyone requesting a food box pre-register online or by calling them at 231-480-4334.
Boxes will be prepared according to household sizes and filled with a pre-selected variety of items. There will be an option for limited add-ons such as baby items, toiletries packs, and cleaning items as long as supplies remain available.
For current Food Club members, all unused monthly points—active as of March 18—will be rolled over for a 30-day period once the Food Club reopens its choice pantry program.
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