The nonprofit community center Streams of Hope announced June 29 that its client-choice Food Center will reopen its physical storefront beginning July 2. The Food Center serves more than 500 families in Kentwood’s Townline neighborhood with supplemental food assistance.
As part of its efforts to help “alleviate financial stress during the coronavirus pandemic,” the Food Center has remained active throughout the shutdown utilizing a drive-thru format, and in recent weeks saw a 50 percent increase in visitors, according to a statement from Streams of Hope.
To ensure safe shopping at the Food Center, visitors will make an appointment online and receive a health check before entering the building with a face mask.
In addition, Streams of Hope announced it had acquired CirclesGR to “invest in long-term solutions to poverty.”
“We are excited to re-open the Food Center and bring CirclesGr into our family of programs,” Kurtis Kaechele, Streams of Hope executive director, said in supplied material. “We are creating a healthier neighborhood together, alongside our community.”
Programs like the Food Center address urgent needs, while CirclesGR will implement long-term solutions to assist families, according to Streams of Hope. Other programs at Streams of Hope include SpringGR, from which 14 entrepreneurs will graduate this summer, and a reduced-cost health clinic in partnership with Exalta Health which will also re-open in July.
“Part of our purpose is to raise the poverty IQ of allies and of the community,” Julie Liske, CirclesGR director, said in supplied material. “Poverty is complex: root causes, systemic barriers, and the impact not only on the family but the whole community. CirclesGR offers a holistic way of looking at both poverty and prosperity, and how we might be able to empower more individuals to reach a place of economic independence.”
Liske will temporarily stay on staff with Streams of Hope “to ensure a smooth transition,” according to Streams of Hope.
Streams of Hope is a community-based ministry in the Townline neighborhood of Kentwood. For more information visit streamsofhope.org. For more information on CirclesGR visit circlesgr.org.
Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile food bank operation is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard to provide Mobile Food Pantries for those facing hunger. The weekly food distribution is open to the public but aims to serve unemployed service industry workers. (Feeding America WM)
There has always been hunger in the Wyoming and Kentwood area — and across the region, state, country and world, in fact. And there is a long list of groups big and small working to be part of the solution to the problem.
From the City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry to the Kent County Community Action, from local school districts to Wyoming’s United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) and a score of other area churches and other private non-profit organizations, many groups have done their part and continue to do their part in this time of a COVID-19 unemployment surge.
Feeding America West Michigan is providing weekly Mobile Pantries in Woodland Mall’s parking lot. The Michigan National Guard is helping to distribute the food each week. (Feeding America WM)
The most far-reaching single group, however, is Feeding America West Michigan, which with the aid of the Michigan National Guard and Woodland Mall began weekly food distribution at the mall April 1.
The next Woodland Mall mobile pantry food distribution, from Feeding America’s Service Industry Workers Mobile unit, will be Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m., at 3195 28th St., Kentwood.
“Hunger is not new,” Molly Kooi, communication manager for Feeding America West Michigan, said this week to WKTV. “Before COVID-19, 1 in 8 people in our 40-county service area faced hunger. Now, many more people are in need of food assistance due to unemployment, school closings and a variety of other factors.”
Feeding America West Michigan (WM), part of Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks, not only collects and directly distributes food but also works with many religious and non-profit groups. And they have some sobering statistics about the impact of COVID-19 on the food assistance need.
“We’ve seen a 235 percent increase in people searching for food assistance on our website,” Kooi said. “We’ve seen a 50 percent increase in the amount of food requested by our partner agencies. We’re spending $100,000 each week to keep up with the increased demand for food.”
The new distribution site at Woodland Mall is just one part of the group’s efforts, and one part of a much wider spectrum of emergency food providers. In the Wyoming and Kentwood area alone, food pantries supported by Feeding America include the East Paris Community Food Pantry, located at At-Tawheed Islamic Center and Mosque, on East Paris Avenue; Faith Reformed Church Food Pantry, on 44th Street SW; and Family Network, also on 44th.
What to expect if you’re seeking assistance
The first step for persons seeking food assistance — especially persons new to the system such, maybe recently out of work and seeking to support families — could be the regional Feeding America WM webpage FeedWM.org/findfood, Kooi said.
Feeding America West Michigan is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard, to provide weekly food distribution at the mall parking lot in Kentwood. (Feeding America WM)
“There they will find a map making it easy for them to locate our partner agencies (red icons) and mobile food pantry sites (blue icons) near them,” she said. “If they don’t have access to the internet, they can call 2-1-1 or our office (616-784-3250) for assistance.”
And how does a person new to the system qualify and register for food assistance?
Some traditional food pantries have income limits, some have geographical limits and most have visit frequency limits (say, once a month). However, many may be changing how they are doing things due to COVID-19, Kooi said.
“I would tell a neighbor in need to first locate a food pantry near them and then reach out to that pantry’s director, or search their website, to learn what the requirements are,” she said.
Feeding America WM’s mobile pantries are hosted by organizations such as churches or schools, and provide fresh produce and other food to those in need, farmers’ market style, Kooi explained. All attendees are required to fill out a form asking for basic information like household size.
“Anyone in need can attend mobile pantries at any time and no one is turned away,” she said. “Due to COVID-19, all mobile pantries are providing drive-thru service at this time.”
Woodland Mall food distribution part of large network
The new mobile food pantry at Woodland Mall is a prime example of diverse organizations working together.
During the recent COVID-19 crisis, Feeding America has gained assistance from the Michigan National Guard at various locations including at the Woodland Mall mobile distribution.
One reason for the National Guard assistance is that Feeding America WM’s regular volunteer force, often older retired persons, has been directly impacted by safety concerns and stay-at-home orders.
But the local work is just a small part of the scope of Feeding America WM’s food bank collection and food distribution work.
Feeding America West Michigan currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. (Feeding America WM)
The food bank currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. So many trucks and trips are needed because of the way our the organization works: “We reclaim safe, surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retail stores, and then distribute it to more than 800 partner agencies throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula,” they state in supplied material.
Typically, more than 100 mobile food pantries are held each month across our 40-county service area. More than 99 percent of the donated food collected and distributes comes from large-scale food donors, with a small amount from community food drives.
Feeding America WM also delivers thousands of pounds of various food items to fixed food pantries and other hunger-relief agencies each month.
Where to go for support, to be part of the solution
On February 24th, Mel Trotter started Mel Trotter Ministries on Canal Street in Grand Rapids after a decade of struggling with gambling and alcohol himself. After over a century of service, Mel Trotter Ministries is committed to helping those in need with wide ranging services available to the community. The main goal of the ministry is to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ to the hungry, homeless, and hurting.
Mel Trotter provides nourishing evening meals every night. They have separate dining halls for men and women. The men eat every night from 4:30-5:45 while the women and children eat in their own dining hall starting at 5pm. Over 129,000 hot meals have been served in 2014.
Mel Trotter food pantry
Not only does Mel Trotter provide nightly meals, but they have their own food pantry where needy families can “shop” at twice per month. The food pantry is stocked with healthy food options and is a very helpful resource!
Food isn’t where the mission starts and ends. No, Mel Trotter is a haven for those in need. There are shelter centers for the men and the women and children. These shelters provide a night in a warm bed, showers, clothes, and toiletries. There have been over 71,000 bed nights for men, women, and children this year alone!
Mel Trotter also offers a place where public inebriates can be brought for safe shelter and medical support. Since public intoxication is no longer a crime, if a police officer finds a public inebriate they have a couple choices they can make. The officer can leave them where they found them, bring the inebriated individual to the ER, or bring them to Mel Trotter. The cost of paying for an individual in the Public Inebriation Shelter at Mel Trotter costs $146 instead of the $700+ it would cost at the ER.
Mel Trotter dining room. Over 129,000 hot meals served in 2014!
While Mel Trotter offers safe food and shelter for the homeless, it also sets people up for success and getting their life on track. In 2014, Mel Trotter has assisted with 162 families finding permanent housing, 99 individuals securing jobs, and provided low-cost transportation for 286 people through their vehicle donation and resale program.
The hungry, hurting, and homeless are all thankful for what Mel Trotter offers, but without volunteers and donations, Mel Trotter would struggle to offer its services. This Christmas season, give back to those who are less fortunate. Volunteer your time or see what donations you can make to help! Visit http://www.meltrotter.org to find more information!
