By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood has reopened its Little Free Pantry by appointment and is also in need of donations to support community members who may be struggling to keep food on the table, the city announced June 11. Through the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, a partnership with Meals on Wheels also has senior meals available.
Located within the Kentwood Activities Center at 355 48th St. SE, the pantry typically serves hundreds of people each year, but that is expected to increase due to the financial hardship some individuals may be facing as a result of the coronavirus and associated closures, according to the city’s statement.
“Even before COVID-19, the demand for our pantry goods had been steadily growing and the shelves were becoming empty on a weekly basis,” Val Romeo, director of Kentwood Parks and Recreation, said in supplied material. “We’d like to be able to continue to fill the immediate and local need we have here in our community.
“In order to do that, we need the help of individuals and organizations who are able to give financially or provide tangible donations, such as canned goods, shelf-stable food and personal items like toilet paper, shampoo and toothpaste.”
Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those who would like to utilize the pantry are asked to call ahead to 616-656-5270 and set up a time to come in. Upon arrival to the Kentwood Activities Center, a staff member will allow the individual in to take the items they need.
In addition to bringing donations to the Kentwood Activities Center, businesses, community organizations and other groups may partner with the city to better stock the pantry by accepting a Kentwood Little Free Pantry collection bin for canned goods and other non-perishable items at their facility. More information, including the application for a collection bin, can be found at: kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
Meals on Wheels also available
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department has also partnered with Meals on Wheels Western Michigan to bring back the Senior Meals program in a grab-and-go format for residents who are age 60 or older.
Participants can do curbside pickup at the Kentwood Activities Center on Mondays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. However, the meals must be reserved ahead of time by calling 616-656-5270 no later than the Friday before. There is no cost to participate, but donations are accepted. More information is available at mealsonwheelswesternmichigan.org.
