Lines of tables stocked with fresh produce fill the front room of the Lighthouse Community Church in Allendale. Dozens of volunteers assemble bags of household -sized portions of every item, bringing carts full of nourishing food out through the church’s doors and straight into the vehicles of food insecure neighbors. Children and adults alike happily greet neighbors, deliver these monthly resources to neighbors’ vehicles, and send them on their way with heartfelt blessings and holiday wishes.
Keeping neighbors moored through a storm of uncertainty
Mobile food pantries and fixed pantries are a cornerstone of community resources, serving as both a reliable safety net and a beacon for individuals during increasingly uncertain times. The operations and attendance surrounding this mobile distribution at Lighthouse Community Church underscores just how essential these resources are in times of political turbulence and unpredictability. Coordinator Brian Brethauer, who has been organizing these mobiles since 2011, anticipated an increase in attendance at November’s monthly distribution and responded accordingly by making the call for more volunteers.
“I know when these crises come up, that it’s gonna go up. Normally, we plan for 100 people, and we get about 90. I’m suspecting we’re gonna get about 120 today.”
It was as Brian predicted. Once the mobile was through, just over 5,000 pounds of nutritious food was handed out to 125 households, totaling 455 individuals. Foods distributed included granola, squash, potatoes, lettuce, broccoli, pears, apples, arugula, milk, and tomatillos.
Those 455 neighbors left the distribution with not only nutritious food, but hope, and a level of stability in the face of an ever-shifting future.
Neighbors looking out for neighbors
Neighbor Miranda, a young mother in attendance who typically picks up food for her family and another family, explained that she’s seeing the concern reflected in her immediate community.
“Typically, I pick up for my neighbor, but she’s really the only one who’s taken interest in it. Until the stuff with the SNAP recently, I’ve had a few people ask me about like, what food banks do you go to? Everybody’s feeling the panic.”
Despite news clarifying the restoration of SNAP benefits, many neighbors across our service area still struggle with keeping their pantry stocked. Any number of upsets, big or small, can spell disaster for the countless individuals fighting to navigate stormy political and economic climates.
Fortunately, they have the hardworking volunteers of Lighthouse Community Church and monthly food distributions to turn to.
Neighbors in Ottawa County
In Ottawa County alone, there are over 35,000 food-insecure residents — which equates to a food insecurity rate of 11.8% of the overall population. It’s no exaggeration to say that community resources like mobile food pantries are an essential lifeline, and the importance of their accessibility cannot be overstated.
Through the generosity of grantors like the Allendale Community Foundation, these resources can continue to operate and serve as a source of strength for their community in a big way. We’d like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Allendale Community Foundation for their continued support — and to everyone else who plays a role in uplifting neighbors across our service area.