MUSKEGON, Mich. — In the large oak trees blanketing Hoyt Street in shadow, spring birds sing to the world while they work to build a better nest.
Bathed in the shadows of those oaks is the spring bird of Muskegon, singing while he sorts through donations. The nest he looks to better may as well be the world.
“I’m George Willer, I’m the administrator of Providing Needs of Muskegon," he said. “We got clothing, shoes, we got kitchen items here, household items. We have a food pantry here we have a personal hygiene pantry, and we also have cleaning items here. Almost you name it, we have it here."
Most charities have executive boards, financial supporters, and even a building. This is not one of those stories.
Providing Needs of Muskegon sits on a small patch of grass outside an apartment complex. It's made up of a couple of folding tables, clothing racks and a white plywood sign painted to say "FREE GIVE-AWAY."
“Five years ago, I got started looking at Facebook, see people offer free stuff and I looked, ‘I got a lot of stuff here,'" said George.
George began by collecting donations anywhere he could get them. Soon enough, people were dropping by constantly to donate. He started setting dates so people could come by and get what they needed.
“We got to start a little slow. All the sudden, bam, it just started growing," he said.
Now five years later, he opens his doors multiple times a week, every week, even during the bitterly cold winter months.
Where does all this take place? At George's home. To him, it's a sacrifice that's very much worth it.
"Every bit of it," he smiled. “That's what I want to keep doing – help people that are in need.”
Now might be the time you ask why. It's a question he hears often.
"I see a lot of nice people," he explained. “I can be here and I can offer the help they need. It’s just a blessing."
The spring birds sing while they work. Muskegon’s own spring bird does the same – giving up his nest, for the betterment of the rest.
“Something I knew God wanted me to do, so I'm doing it," smiled George.
George and his crew are searching for a permanent space to help more people in Muskegon. If you have any insight to a location, you can email willer.george@yahoo.com or contact him on his Facebook page here.
► Providing Needs of Muskegon is open Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. and every day next week, weather permitting. You can find out where to donate supplies in their Facebook group here.
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