By Ashley Abbott Bodien
Kids’ Food Basket

Kids’ Food Basket announced a collaborative partnership with several groups, including two in Wyoming, to provide emergency food assistance to families impacted from the extreme weather.

Wyoming High School and the Godfrey Lee Early Childhood Center, as well as Kids’ Food Basket, were distribution sites on Thursday, Jan. 313, and Friday, Feb. 1. Supplemental food and fresh produce will be distributed for families to take home to provide food assistance to any family in need of additional nutrition. Food items include bananas, pears, apples, carrot packs, pudding and fruit cups, meat sticks, cereal bags, etc.

In addition, The David D. Hunting YMCA will be a providing a full meal to Grand Rapids Public School students and families through their Food Service Program. The downtown locations are on The Rapid bus route so families can access the facility in a safe manner.

“For the kids and families, Kids’ Food Basket serves, snow days prevent access to meals families often count on. The United Way’s 211 line reported, they simply do not have food resources to share with people calling for assistance. We believe in breaking down barriers and increasing access to good nourishing food. In an emergency like this, we want to do everything we possibly can to make sure our community has the nourishment they need,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, Founding CEO of Kids’ Food Basket.

The organization, best known for its flagship Sack Supper Program, provides a free, well-balanced nutritious evening meal distributed within classrooms at the end of each school day. Kids’ Food Basket serves over 8,000 children who attend schools where 70% or more of the student population receive free or reduced-cost lunch in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Holland.

“During severe weather events like this one, we all have to pull together to meet the critical needs of our community. We’re glad Kids’ Food Basket reached out and are happy to support their efforts,” said The Rapids CEO Andrew Johnson.

“We are so grateful for these community partners, who understand the tremendous need for families during these extreme conditions. By working together, we are finding ways to break beyond weather and location barriers to get to families in need of food assistance,” Whitney said.

The organization is currently working to identify collaborative partners for safe distribution in Muskegon and Holland and encourages community members to call 211 to learn more about community-based organizations and government agencies providing services to families and individuals in need. For more information, please visit kidsfoodbasket.org.

Location information:

• The David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 

Families visiting the downtown YMCA location can enter through the main entrance and follow the signage to the community room to receive your meal.

• The Rapid Central Station, 250 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
• Seymour Christian Reformed Church, 840 Alger St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
• Kids’ Food Basket, 2055 Oak Industrial Drive, Suite C, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Kids’ Food Basket is nourishing children to reach their full potential. Through the Sack Supper program, Kids’ Food Basket serves over 8,000 students at 48 schools in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Holland. More than 250 volunteers each day help prepare, pack and deliver Sack Suppers, a well-rounded evening meal that provides nutrition critical to the development of the brain and body. To learn more, or see how you can make a difference, please visit www.kidsfoodbasket.org.