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'No judgment': Retired Army veteran battling hunger with community food pantry

Jon Nash started the Underground Food Pantry in Hastings in 2022

A retired Army veteran has found a new mission: battling hunger in his community.

By: Janice Allen

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BARRY COUNTY, Mich — As food costs increase, more families need help putting food on the table in West Michigan.

Jon Nash saw the need and stepped up to find a way to nourish his community with the Underground Food Pantry.

The pantry, which originated in the basement of New Beginnings Church of God in Hastings, will soon relocate to a larger building next door.

"It's a community pantry, so anybody can use it, and these donations that you see here, all came from the community," Nash told FOX 17 News.

The pantry began quietly in 2022 feeding about a dozen people.

Now the operation has grown to feed anywhere from 200 to 250 people each week.

"It's all been word of mouth," Nash explained. "Neighbors helping neighbors."

The pantry provides fresh fruits and veggies, canned goods, dry items, drinks and even hygiene items.

"You qualify if you come down here," Nash said. "There's no judgment here. If you want a judgment, you need to go down to Court Street."

Nash, who was once homeless before joining the Army, realizes sometimes people need a little help to turn their lives around.

"This isn't a handout. This is a hand up," he said. "You're going to use this to a certain point, and then you're going to find your way... and you're going to pay it forward."

The retired veteran spends roughly six days a week at the pantry or delivering food items to shut-in residents.

"I hope everybody finds their niche that's something that they'd love to do because this does not seem like work," he said. "If I had known I was going have this much fun in my mid-sixties, I would have done this a long time ago."

Nash also started a food pantry 25 years ago at Thornapple Valley Church in Hastings that's still in operation.

The Underground Food Pantry is located at 502 East Bond St, Hastings, Michigan.

Hours of operation include Thursdays 11 am-1 pm and Thursdays 5 pm-7 pm.

No criteria are needed.

Donations of food, water, hygiene, and gift cards are needed, along with volunteers to help with the night shift.

To learn more, about The Underground Food Pantry, click here.