By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on the national holiday in his honor, the City of Kentwood stocked the shelves of its Little Free Pantry on Monday, Jan. 21.
The city collected canned goods and other non-perishable items at three locations: the Family Fare on Kalamazoo Avenue, Celebration Cinema on 1506 Eastport Drive, and the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department — the food pantry is located at the department’s activities center.
At the end of the day, the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page reported on the results: “Thank you to all who generously donated to the Little Free Pantry today! Our pantry is full again! We collected $68 and more items than could fit on the shelves. Your contributions will help a number of families in our area.”
Mayor Stephen Kepley also did a little collecting himself, as he visited The Well Church on Monday to collect donations for the pantry. The city’s Facebook page commented on the church’s effort: “We are so appreciative of your generosity. The support of community partners like you helps ensure those who need help can find it year-round.”
Mayor Kepley, in previously supplied material, commented on the community support the city receives for the pantry and other community needs.
“Kentwood is a compassionate community which supports practical acts of generosity by encouraging neighbors to help neighbors especially in times of need,” Mayor Kepley said. “Since 2017, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry has assisted countless families to such an extent that the shelves become empty on a weekly basis.”
Located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, the Kentwood Little Free Pantry is similar in operation to a Little Free Library: take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications necessary. No questions are asked.
More information about Kentwood Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available online at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry .
