It only takes a single event to change your life completely. This event could look like the development of an unexpected medical condition, sudden medical bills, the loss of a loved one, or a mass layoff at a local company. We’ve heard many stories from neighbors with situations like these, emphasizing how difficult it is for them to build safety nets of their own.
It’s why community resources like the mobile food pantries held at Twin Rivers Elementary School in Muir are as much a necessity as they’ve always been.
During an average distribution in this Ionia County community, volunteers pass out food to 75 to 110 families. At their most recent distribution, this included nutritious items like potatoes, beans, apples, eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, milk, and more.
The volunteers are led by mobile pantry coordinator Wanda Zenk, who said she and an acquaintance started putting together mobile food pantries in 2023 when they realized just how much charitable food resources were needed in the community.
“The people that come here are so grateful,” she said. “I think it’s very much needed with the prices of groceries right now. It is so appreciated. We see every demographic.”
Among the many neighbors in attendance, Esther turned to mobile food pantries for help after the loss of her husband and son. At 73, her monthly pension is not enough to pay bills and leave room for consistent nutritious food by the time everything is paid. Nutritious food is essential for her Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
“This definitely helps me,” she said. “I’m really happy that you guys have done this. It’s been a blessing to communities.”
Similarly, April, an Ionia County mother, said the food helps her provide nutritious meals for her family when her budget is squeezed. She always makes sure to pass on food that might not get used to others. When she and her husband were struggling to get disability, mobile food pantries served as a much-needed safety net between SNAP and any remaining paychecks.
“What they do is beyond,” she said. “I mean, even if there are things that we don’t keep, we pass it on. We pass it forward to my youngest daughter and her boyfriend’s family. They have a son who’s autistic, so they have a hard time getting out to come to these, and we give it to them. What they are doing is a blessing to people.”
April said she believes there are many neighbors who could benefit from the resource who aren’t seeking it.
“There are more people that do need the help that won’t admit to it,” she said. “There are probably more people that should come who are sitting at home suffering that don’t need to. They shouldn’t be ashamed.”
An Ionia County neighbor who chose to remain anonymous appreciates having the mobiles to turn to after she lost her job and her partner lost work hours. While she was working, she recalls many times when she would make donations herself to the food bank during the holidays, and to United Way. She never imagined then that she would find herself on the receiving end of those resources.
“You don’t know how it is until you’re in one of these situations,” she said. “You have to pay the bills. And so the one thing that you don’t have extra money for is food.”
These are some of the many stories that Ionia County neighbors tell of the unexpected circumstances they face, and a generous community that supports them. All of this support is made possible by our incredible community of volunteers, as well as kind-hearted donors and grantors like the Ionia County Community Foundation.