By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Food insecurity impacts over 261,000 people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula alone. Wyoming High School (WHS) has teamed up with Feeding America West Michigan to provide free nourishing food for those in need.

There are a variety of reasons food insecurity exists, and anyone can experience a period of that insecurity and need.

“We are seeing the need for food amongst our families increase,” said Joy Pratt, Wyoming School Community Coordinator. “This past fall, we were able to feed 110-120 families monthly, but sadly, had to turn families away as we ran out of food.”

Working together to eradicate hunger

Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) has partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry for several years, rotating locations between elementary school buildings.

For the last few months, WHS has become a consistent host site, and will continue to host the Mobile Pantry once a month.

*WHS January Mobile Food Pantry will be held Monday, Jan. 22 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

“Moving the Mobile Food Pantry to the high school has allowed us to serve more families, cause less disruption to neighborhood traffic, as well as sort and package food inside the building versus outside in the elements,” said Pratt.

With some families financially stretched to the breaking point, picking up 40-50 lbs. of food for free has a far-reaching impact. WPS has seen that impact firsthand.

“What we know to be true is that if we want our kids to learn, their basic needs have to be met first,” said Pratt. “Kids who are worried about not having enough food at home typically don’t learn as well as kids who don’t have that worry.

If something as simple as WPS/WHS hosting a monthly Mobile Food Pantry can alleviate that worry, even a little bit, it’s a no-brainer.”

What to expect

Though the selection of food varies each month, there are always a variety of fresh and frozen items available at the Mobile Pantry. Some examples include: yogurt, cheese, milk, almonds, grapes, bananas, potatoes, rice, beans, macaroni, baked goods, apples, onions, carrots, ham, bread, bagels, cereal, granola, strawberries, and cream cheese.

The Mobile Pantry is drive-thru style, and families are asked to remain in their vehicles for safety.

Cars enter at the main entrance to WHS (1350 Prairie Parkway). Volunteers will direct traffic in the parking lot to help with efficiency.

Once in line, a volunteer will approach each car to record the name, address, number of people in the household, and the reason the food is needed for each family. Once a car has reached the front of the line, volunteers will load a box of food into the trunk.

Make an impact – volunteer!

Community volunteers are always welcome and can sign up for January and February Mobile Pantries using the following links: January 2024 / February 2024

Those wishing to volunteer can also reach out to:

Joy Pratt – prattj@wyomingps.org

Anna Rivera – riveraa2@wyomingps.org

Sarai Gamez – gamezs@wyomingps.org

“Just giving three hours a month of their time has a significant impact on 170 families in their community,” said Pratt. “When you consider the time you give, and weigh it against the impact you make, volunteering to help at the Mobile Food Pantry is a worthwhile endeavor.

“If we all give a little, we can make big things happen.”

Resources – learn more!

To learn more about Feeding America West Michigan and the services they offer, click here.

For the Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry schedule, click here.