WEST MICHIGAN — The holiday seasons are coming, and many local organizations are gearing up to provide meals for individuals and families in need.
Friday, cuts in the federal food stamps program took effect. That means this year there will be a much greater need.
Mel Trotter Ministries and its sponsors are holding a “Brown Bag Food Drive” which is going on right now. There’s one month to go. It ends December 3rd. Their goal is to collect 35,000 pounds of non-perishable food items. From there 1,200 holiday meal boxes will be created. It will also help fill the ministries pantry.
You can also volunteer to serve meals during their annual Thanksgiving dinner. Just click here.
Also, Access of West Michigan has the “Holiday Giving Network.” More than 7,000 families signed up to receive a meal on Christmas and Thanksgiving last year. One program called “Family Connection” covers Kent County. It matches families in need with individuals of groups that want to help out.
You can deliver the food directly to the families a few days before Thanksgiving or Christmas. Another initiative encourages community members to give monetary donations or grocery store gift cards.
Third, your office, church, or small group can hold a holiday food drive. Those items would then be donated to a local food pantry.
Click here to learn how to more about the “Holiday Giving Network” and how to get involved.
