A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Kent, Michigan distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.
There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.
Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.
Salvation Army Food Pantry
The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.
The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around Kent, Michigan from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.
We have located 4 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Kent, Michigan which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Little Pine Island Camp
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Christian Education
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Women's Ministries
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 784-1404 to book your appointment.
Address :
[8901 - 9049] Pine Island Dr,
Comstock Park, MI 49321.
Get Directions
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The Salvation Army - Kent County Social Services
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Clinics Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition
- Transitional Housing
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 459-9468 to book your appointment.
Address :
1215 Fulton St E,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
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The Salvation Army - Adult Rehabilitation Center - Grand Rapids, MI
Services provided :
- Group Work Services
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Rehabilitation
- Worship Services - Church
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 452-3133 to book your appointment.
Address :
1491 S Division Ave,
Grand Rapids, MI 49507.
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The Salvation Army Social Services of Kent County - Food Pantry
Our pantry has regularly scheduled hours Monday through Friday and serves the entire Kent County area. Monday - Thursday: 11:00am - 4:00pm; Friday: 9:00am- 12:00pm. Identification is required for all household members. Adults are required to have a photo ID. Social security cards, school IDs, medical cards, shot records, and birth certificates are valid for children. The Food Pantry is open designated hours each week and available to households across the county who are in need of emergency food to sustain themselves. The Pantry commits to securing as many fresh and healthy food items as possible in order to provide well-balanced orders of groceries that last 3 to 5 days.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 459-9468 to book your appointment.
Address :
1215 E Fulton,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Kent, Michigan have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Churches operate with food donations gathered and deliver to the food pantry nearest you by individuals using food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to elderly who are unable to drive to a nearest community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
We have located 2 Church Food Pantry locations in Kent, Michigan which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Mamrelund Lutheran Church Food Pantry
The Mamrelund Lutheran Church Food Pantry and clothing bank distributes food items and clothing to needy residents with in Northwest Kent County (49330, 49345, 49341, 49318, and 49319 zip codes) It is operated by Mamrelund Lutheran church and volunteers from area churches, who staff the pantry, shop and pick up food items, sort the food, sort and check clothing, and donate home grown crops. Open since 1982, the served over 1800 families in 2014. We're open: Monday through Friday 9-11:30am (please arrive no later than 11am). You must report to the church office before going to the food pantry. Tuesday Evenings from 5:30pm-6:45pm (you must pre-register with North Kent or Deptarment of Human Services) Report directly to the food pantry. Our clients: Must be referred from North Kent Service Center (616) 866-3478 or DHS in Sparta (616)887-5700; Must be residents in Northwest Kent County (with a 49330, 49345, 49341, 49318, and 49319, 49403 zip code); Must show a valid government issued pictured ID. Now in its 34th year, the food pantry anticipates a growing demand for its services with increased unemployment and a slower economy.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 887-8873 to book your appointment.
Address :
4085 Lutheran Church Rd,
Kent City, MI 49330.
Get Directions
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- Kent City
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- Kent
First Community AME Church Food Pantry
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 459-0151 to book your appointment.
Address :
500 James Ave Se,
Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
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- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by the Catholic Charity organization focus on addressing food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charity centers for help.
Catholic Charities in Kent, Michigan are open to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. The centers operate during normal business hours, and provide walk-ins with groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal.
The food pantries are like grocery stores, allow clients the ability to choose the items they need from the groceries that are available on site.
First-time clients of the food pantry will need to apply, and this is done from a one-page application. An applicant will need to provide basic household member as well as demographic information.
We have located 0 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Kent, Michigan which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Kent, Michigan almost entirely by volunteers.
It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
We have located 0 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Kent, Michigan which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around Kent, Michigan in need during large-scale one-day distributions.
A typical mobile pantry serves 200-250 families distributing up to 10,000 pounds of food. This past year over 6.6 million pounds were distributed through this program.
Mobile food pantries usually visit churches, community centers, schools, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. They usually go to areas where there aren't grocery stores or other food pantries.
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2024
Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.
Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.
We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in Kent, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around Kent, Michigan much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.
It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.
We have located 0 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Kent, Michigan which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Kent, Michigan area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.
Food Pantry
We have located 16 Food Pantry locations in Kent, Michigan which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
The Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry is a joint venture between 2 Belmont churches: Assumption BVM Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. The pantry is located at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 1200 Post Drive NE, Belmont, at the intersection of Post and Pine Island drives, just 1/4 mile west of Exit 95 (Belmont) of US 131. Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry operates as a satellite pantry of Access of West Michigan, through the North Kent Service Center. We are an emergency food pantry; please contact the North Kent Service Center at (616) 866-3478 for a referral Monday thru Thursday between 8am and 6pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 784-1111 to book your appointment.
Address :
1200 Post Dr Ne,
Belmont, MI 49306.
Get Directions
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- Belmont
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- Kent
Buist Community Assistance Center
BCAC provides a pantry of dry goods, meat, dairy, fresh produce, and personal products. Product is selected by the client according to family size and availability. Continually stocked during pantry hours. Client Pantry Hours: Monday 2pm - 5:30pm, Tuesday 10:30am-1:30pm, Wednesday 10am - 2:00pm, Saturday 9am - 11:30am (2nd Saturday of month only). Saturday hours are only for clients who work during the week or have transportation issues. Clients must be signed in 15 minutes prior to closing.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 583-4080 to book your appointment.
Address :
8306 Byron Center Ave Sw,
Byron Center, MI 49315.
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- Byron Center
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- Kent
FROM Food Programs
The Client Choice Food Pantry is one of our key food programs. It is available to anyone living in the Lowell School District that is facing financial hardship. Residents may sign up anytime during regular Pantry hours by bringing current ID and proof of each household member. Consumers may shop one time each month to help stretch the budget and supplement household needs. Pantry Hours: Monday 2 – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday 2 – 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday 5 – 7 p.m.; Thursday 2 – 4: 30 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – noon
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 897-8260 to book your appointment.
Address :
11535 Fulton St E,
Lowell, MI 49331.
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- Lowell
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NKCS Food Pantry
In our Pantry of Choice, clients are assisted by volunteers to shop for the foods that they like. Our pantry is considered an emergency pantry, meaning each family will receive enough food for two to three days based on their household size. Families can visit the emergency pantry four times each year. Our pantry of choice is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 866-3478 to book your appointment.
Address :
10075 Northland Dr Ne,
Rockford, MI 49341.
Get Directions
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- Rockford
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- Kent
Baxter Community Center Food & Clothing Pantry
Open Monday through Friday 9:00 – 11:30 am and 1:30 – 3:00 pm. In order to meet immediate needs of our community, the Marketplace provides emergency food assistance once a month and emergency clothing assistance twice a month to area residents. As immediate needs are met, long-term solutions that put people in emergency positions are sought through other services and programs provided by Baxter. By fulfilling basic needs, the Food and Clothing Pantry enables individuals and families to turn to other pressing concerns in their lives and begin to become self-sufficient. Food and clothing resources are provided by area organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Baxter’s Greenhouse also provides fresh produce to the pantry, allowing residents access to more nutritious food.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 456-8593 to book your appointment.
Address :
935 Baxter St Se,
Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
Downtown Food Pantry
The Downtown Food Pantry, a core mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church, provides an emergency supply of food and personal care items to people in need while also promoting self-sufficiency through referrals and education. The Downtown Food Pantry is open to all; the only requirement to participate is that you live in our pantry service area. The Pantry provides a 3–5 day supply of emergency food and personal care products to visitors, up to once every 30 days. Pantry staff and volunteers maintain a caring environment and respect the dignity of all people. We partner with the Kent County Health Department to provide food services to People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a ten-county area of Western Michigan. Each month, we serve approximately 35 households struggling to live with HIV/AIDS in a confidential and caring manner with food bank services designed to meet their special dietary needs.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 717-5581 to book your appointment.
Address :
47 Jefferson Ave Se,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
God's Kitchen Grand Rapids
A noontime hot meal is served daily at God's Kitchen in the Heartside Neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Nourishment and meal-time respite are available to anyone who visits the dining room. Guests are welcomed on a walk-in basis with no questions and no qualifiers. Serving time(s): Monday - Saturday 12:30-2:00PM, Sundays 2:30-4:00PM. Closed 1st Friday of each Month.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 454-4110 to book your appointment.
Address :
303 Division Ave S,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
Mel Trotter Food Pantry
Mel Trotter’s client choice food pantry provides families with a variety of nutritious items to choose from to prepare their everyday meals. Guests are welcome to visit the Grand Rapids food bank once a month. The food pantry is open every Thursday, from 10 am – 1:45 pm. The entrance is at 47 Williams Street. First time guests: please bring an ID for everyone in the household and a recent piece of mail. Please bring coins for the parking meters (available on the streets surrounding Mel Trotter).
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 540-7566 to book your appointment.
Address :
47 Williams St,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
North End Community Ministry Food Pantry - Leonard Terrace
Emergency Food Pantry (3-4 day supply). Grocery Store setting. Empowers clients to pick and choose a variety of foods they need and want for their families. Serves more than 750 families per month with food. Hours: Last Monday of the month 9AM-12N.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 454-1097 to book your appointment.
Address :
1315 Leonard Ne,
Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
North End Community Ministry Food Pantry - Main Office
Emergency Food Pantry (3-4 day supply). Grocery Store setting. Empowers clients to pick and choose a variety of foods they need and want for their families. Serves more than 750 families per month with food. Hours: Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday 9AM-1:00PM.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 454-1097 to book your appointment.
Address :
214 Spencer Ne,
Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
Help Residents of Counties:
- Kent
North West Food Pantry
The North West Food Pantry strives to show the love of Christ to our neighbors on the North West side of Grand Rapids by supplying emergency food and support to all who are in need.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 451-4036 to book your appointment.
Address :
1224 Davis Ave Nw,
Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
Help Residents of Counties:
- Kent
SECOM Client Choice Pantry
SECOM is the key resource center for Southwest Kent County, serving parts of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, and Kentwood. SECOM is committed to the values of education, wellness, and empowerment. Client Choice means that pantry clients work with SECOM staff and volunteers to use My Plate, choosing foods from all the main food groups that best fit their family's needs. Pantry Hours of Operation: Monday: 9:30-11:45, 1-3:45; Tuesday: 9:30-11:45, 1-3:45; Wednesday: 9:30-11:45, 1-3:45; Friday: 9:30-11:45.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 452-7684 to book your appointment.
Address :
1545 Buchanan Ave Sw,
Grand Rapids, MI 49507.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
Streams of Hope Food Center
Interested in receiving food assistance from our client-choice store? We welcome visits from our Townline neighbors. Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 6-8PM, Thursday 11AM-1PM.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 272-3634 to book your appointment.
Address :
280 60th St Se,
Grand Rapids, MI 49548.
Get Directions
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- Grand Rapids
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- Kent
The Other Way Ministries
Serves 1,800 Westown families every year.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 454-4011 to book your appointment.
Address :
710 W Fulton St,
Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Grand Rapids
Help Residents of Counties:
- Kent
The Pantry
At The Pantry our vision is to provide holistic aid to our neighbors in need, supplying them with the food and personal care items that they desperately need now, as well as tools of empowerment, through education and one-on-one case management. Our goal is to equip our neighbors to transform their own lives – body, mind & soul – in the long-term. The Pantry started as a ministry of the John Knox Presbyterian Church in 1985 in response to growing community needs. As the Pantry continued to grow, we joined the Access Pantry Network in 1991 and finally incorporated as a separate 501c3 in 2014. One of the largest pantry in Kent County we cover a 45 square mile area in the southern portion of the county. From providing a couple days’ worth of groceries for 10 families a week, to providing a week’s worth of groceries for 185 families a week at present, we’ve expanded and continue to develop new programming to meet the growing needs of the community. We’ll serve anyone in need, regardless of your financial situation or geographic area the first time. Our usual visitors will be residents of southeast Kent County with incomes lower than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Pantry is open: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday Evenings: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 455-9411 to book your appointment.
Address :
4150 Kalamazoo Ave Se,
Grand Rapids, MI 49508.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Grand Rapids
Help Residents of Counties:
- Kent
UCOM Client Choice Food Pantry
UCOM is the ACCESS key resource center for Southwest Kent County serving Grandville, most of Wyoming, and a portion of southwest Grand Rapids. UCOM operates one of the largest pantries in the city. In 2010 UCOM provided groceries for nearly half a million meals for more than 50,000 people.The food pantry is open to those in need on Tuesdays from 9:00 am-3:00 pm and 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, Wednesdays from 9:00 am-3:00 pm, Thursdays from 9:00 am-11:30 am and 5:00 pm-7:00 pm and Fridays from 9:00 am-11:30 am. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm. As a client choice pantry and one of the largest key resources centers in West Michigan, UCOM is dedicated to making sure those in need of food assistance never have to go without. People living in the UCOM service area are able to access the pantry once a month and receive a three day emergency supply of healthful and delicious food. Committed to personal empowerment, UCOM has encouraged our clients to select their own food for over seven years.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (616) 241-4006 to book your appointment.
Address :
1311 Chicago Dr Sw,
Wyoming, MI 49509.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Wyoming
Help Residents of Counties:
- Kent
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Since the start of the coronavirus, drive-thru food pantries have become the safest, most efficient way to provide food to our struggling neighbors.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.
Only two piece of information is asked
- You Zipcode, and
- Number of people in their family.
You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.
How do drive-thru pantries actually work?
There are lot of volunteers help at Drive-thru food pantries. While not all drive-thru pantries operate in the same way, here�s how most work:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the parking area.
Visitors pull up to the pantry in their car and are usually guided into a clearly marked queue. As people move through the pantry, staff will continue to move the cars forward to get everyone through as quickly and safely as possible.
Checkin.
You are required to fill some information for Pantry's recording keeping.
Food is loaded into the cars.
Pre-packed bags of food, usually full of shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats are loaded by volunteers into the trunk of the car.
Pet Food Pantry
One in four pet owners who give up their pets to a shelter say it is because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet Food Pantries are designed to fill the void in the nation�s current assistance programs that exclude the purchase of food and supplies for family pets.
The Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food, for 3 months or less, to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Kent, Michigan
Who are eligible for Pet Food Pantry
Pet Food Pantry helps people who are:
- All ages, races and marital status
- Unemployed or underemployed
- Retired, living on social security or other limited income
- Physically or mentally disabled
- Experiencing homelessness or housing instability
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.