GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For close to 12 years, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in downtown Grand Rapids has been helping those most in need, and those closest to them.
“they live downtown and we are downtown and we’re all in this together. We’re part of Grand Rapids’ community,” said Judy Freeman, a member at the church. “We call the people who live in transition, or homeless, our neighbors and we found that our neighbors were so grateful and very gracious and we love to know them and serve.”
The church has been serving breakfast every Saturday morning, without fail, from 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Typically, they’d run the event out of their kitchen, but in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan and the Kent County Health Department restricted churches cooking and serving people indoors.
Now, meals are cooked in the church’s parking lot at the corner of Division and Pearl, bringing much-needed help even closer t those who rely on it.
The event was also able to continue thanks to a grant from Kent County. It also allowed the church to partner with local business 40-Acres Soul Kitchen in Eastown.
“It also enables us to work with a black owned business,” said Freeman. “40-Acres does amazing things in the community and we’re thrilled to be able to work with them.”
Those who came out Saturday also got hygiene items and PPE, all thanks to that grant.
The church could always use more volunteers, so contact them here for more info on getting involved.
