By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
In 2017, four city residents and staff sat around a table discussing possible ideas they could incorporate for Kentwood’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day’s community service project.
“It was [Kentwood Commissioner] Betsy Artz, [resident] Jessica Ann Tyson, [Kentwood Parks and Recreation] Laura Barbrick and I talking about having this Little Free Pantry,” said Kentwood Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. “We thought let’s try it. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”
So the city established its first Free Little Pantry at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
“I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined it being used as much as it has been,” Romeo said.
Fast forward four years and for its 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. community service project, the city will be collecting food and non-perishable items for its Free Little Pantry at the activities center and its new second location at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Rd. SE.
“When the center was under construction, we moved the pantry to the library,” Romeo said. “We were pleased to see how much the pantry was being used.”
Because of the usage and the fact that it would serve the other side of the city , it was decided to locate a second pantry at the library, she said. An anonymous donation was received to help get the library pantry started.
“Kentwood is a compassionate, giving community that celebrates neighbors helping neighbors, especially in times of need,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “We’re asking the community to come together to help us launch a second Little Free Pantry to increase access to food assistance, which has been a growing issue compounded by the pandemic. If you can, please donate non-perishable items this month and consider becoming a year-round partner so we provide a more sustainable resource for those experiencing food insecurity.”
With the pandemic, the Kent County area has seen an increased need for food and other non-perishable items such as toilet paper. According to Feeding America West Michigan, there are about 300,000 people in need. It would take more than 49 million meals to fill this need. In 2019, agency and its partners were able to supply about 21 million meals in 2019.
Romeo said the Kentwood Parks and Recreation staff also have seen an increased use at its Little Free Pantry.
“There are so many people who are experiencing [food insecurities] for the first time,” she said. “ I think the pantry makes it easier for them because we don’t take down any information or ask anything of them. They can just come in and take what they need.”
Started in Arkansas with the motto “Neighbors serving neighbors,” the Little Free Pantry is similar to the little free library movement. The pantries are designed to be small and fill an immediate and local need. Basically, take an item or items when needed and leave an item or items when you can.
And just as the need has increased, so has the generosity of residents.
“This pandemic has proven to bring out the best in people,” Romeo said, adding that donations have almost doubled. “We have seen people bring in large donations, large food donations of $300 to $400 dollars worth. We know it is not easy for them but they feel blessed and want to pass it on by helping others.”
Because of residents’ contributions and the anonymous donation, city officials decided to move forward with the second Little Free Pantry location. Romeo said the pantry will be located in the same general area that the temporary one was. It will be on the first floor, in the back corner, near the DVD section.
Romeo said the library Little Free Pantry should be ready to open when KDL reopens all of its library branches which is scheduled for Jan. 19.
For the MLK community service project, residents can donate canned goods and other non-perishable items at the following locations (Reminder masks are required at many of these locations along with social distancing):
Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE: Donations may be dropped off at 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave SE: Donations may be placed inside the collection bin 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, and 7:30 a.m. to noon Friday.
KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Ave. SE: Donations may be dropped off via curbside from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m Monday through Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Kentwood Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE: Donations may be placed inside the collection bin 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Drop-off bins are available at Railtown Brewing Company, 3595 68th St. SE, and Saint Mark Lutheran Church, 1934 52nd St. SE.
Portable items that people do not need to heat, such as canned meat, seem to be in demand along with personal care items like toothbrushes, soap, and toilet paper.
“We sometimes think that someone in need does use or need a toothbrush or deodorant,” Romeo said. “But if you are choosing between food and deodorant, chances are you are going to pick food.”
For more information about Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, visit kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
