Tag Archives: food drive

Big Apple Bagels in Grand Rapids to host open house and food drive for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry

The Big Apple Bagels one-day open house event will offer bagels for just $0.75 (Courtesy, Big Apple Bagels)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Big Apple Bagels® in Grand Rapids (6670 Kalamazoo Ave.) will hold their official Grand Re-Opening Open House event to benefit the Kentwood Little Free Pantry on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is a free resource that provides food to community members in need.

Helping those in need

All are encouraged to stop in, see the new Big Apple Bagels décor and receive a free coffee when you donate a non-perishable good to the Kentwood Little Free Pantry. During this one-day event, Big Apple Bagels will be offering bagels for just $0.75.

(Courtesy, Big Apple Bagels)

“We are grateful for the support from Big Apple Bagels for hosting a food drive for the Little Free Pantry. We typically see an increased need for donations around the holiday season,” said Val Romeo, Director of Kentwood Parks and Recreation.

“Whether it’s a collection of canned goods or a financial contribution, all donations help families in our community.”

Big Apple Bagels will be collecting non-perishable goods for the pantry through Nov. 30.

Pantry suggested donations

More information about Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.

Kent County Community Action to hold food distribution for general public on Jan. 7

Kent County Community Action is one of the many groups are working to help feed local families in need, including Feeding America West (shown here from a 2020 event). (Supplied/Feeding America WM)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Kent County Community Action (KCCA) announced this week that it will conduct a food distribution event on Thursday, Jan. 7, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support qualified low-income households experiencing food insecurity.

The distribution will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., near the KCCA offices, at 121 Franklin SE, in Grand Rapids. All Kent County residents are welcome.

“This distribution is our way to respond to this crisis as it is our mission to alleviate the causes of poverty,” Susan Cervantes, KCCA Director, said in supplied material. “This distribution is one of our scheduled quarterly distributions and we are pleased we can provide relief to families who are in need during this difficult time.”

Customers who are driving must enter on Jefferson Street with their trunks ready to accept more than 50 pounds of food and must remain in their vehicle. This will enable the distribution to go smoothly and ensure the safety of staff and customers by practicing social distancing, according to supplied material.

The distribution will assist more than 900 households that are struggling to meet their food needs, “especially considering the situations caused by COVID-19.” There will be 20 food items in the packet including but not limited to canned vegetables, soups, pasta, juice, vegetable oil, tortillas, cheese, butter, and pork.
  

There will not be walk-up service due to the requirement to socially distance. Persons without transportation can be assisted by calling 616-632-7950.