Food insecurity affects an estimated 15,320 of Allegan County’s 120,913 residents — including 3,850 children. While experiences of food insecurity vary widely from household to household, the need for consistent, responsive food assistance remains high.
For 12 years, Coleen Young has dedicated her time and energy to addressing food access challenges in the northeast Allegan County community of Wayland. As coordinator of the Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry hosted by Wayland United Methodist Church, she works alongside volunteers to ensure neighbors have reliable access to nutritious food.
On the third Friday afternoon of each month, neighbors arrive steadily to receive food from Feeding America West Michigan. Volunteers efficiently pack items into boxes and bags donated by local businesses, including Harding’s Market, ensuring families receive organized, ready-to-carry packages as they move through the line.
A recent distribution of 5,000 pounds of food — including fresh apples, cucumbers, potatoes, cereal, milk, and other essentials — served more than 90 families, a level of attendance that has remained consistent in recent months despite normal monthly fluctuations.
They are able to meet the need because of partnerships and community volunteers. Wayland United Methodist Church partners with Therese Catholic Church and Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church to support the program financially.
While St. Therese once contributed volunteers directly, support has evolved into broader community participation.
“At times, people come to us to complete community service,” Coleen said. “During the school year, we’re joined by local school groups like soccer and robotics teams, as well as students earning volunteer hours through different organizations. It all comes together as a true community effort.”
Many volunteers are familiar faces, as Coleen puts it — “people who have done this work before” who require little instruction to make the distributions run smoothly.
Neighbors in Their Own Words
Wayland resident and single mother Allison first learned about the Wayland United Methodist Church mobile pantry through a friend. Since then, it’s helped her support herself and her family.
“It stretches the grocery budget a little bit further,” she said. “It’s very helpful — there are fresh fruits and vegetables, and sometimes little treats. With the vegetables, I just pray, use my imagination, and get creative. I do my best to use everything and not let it go to waste. I’ll Google certain ingredients, and it gives me ideas.”
Wayland residents Margaret and Francine came to the pantry through different circumstances, shaped by shifting seasons of life.
Margaret attended the distribution for the first time after hearing about it through friends at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars hall. Her need for support, she said, comes from “times being hard.” Francine needs support because she is retired and caring for her children — three boys with autism — and grandchildren. “I’m supposed to be the one helping people,” Francine said, with tears in her eyes. “Now I’m in a part of life where I have my children and grandchildren that live with me. I’m retired and my money doesn’t go far enough. So instead of me helping, I have to accept help. I think that’s way harder than anything.”
Margaret added, “Right now its hard for everybody, because kids are living at home with their parents because they can’t afford to get their own place. My daughter’s looking for a house right now and she can’t find one.” Margaret further states that even with some security such as a home and employment, people still have to juggle “a car payment, car insurance, food, all of your utilities. You almost don’t stand a chance.”
Francine also receives help from Feeding America West Michigan’s Second Harvest Pantry located in Kentwood.
“I go to these places and I’m not treated as less than,” Francine said. “I don’t feel any shame. It’s amazing, and I think that’s what people need to know.”
Neighbor Kayla has been attending the mobile food distribution for nearly a year. Initially, when she first learned about the program, she was unsure about it, as she and her husband had not yet felt the full impact of financial hardship at that time, but things started to turn.
“When we got to a point where we were starting to struggle, and things got really tight and questionable, we decided to come out and get the help.”
Kayla and her husband have experienced cycles where periods of stability would ease their worries, only to be followed by renewed financial strain that led them back for support.
When they visit, they appreciate how much is provided.
“It definitely helps a lot,” said Kayla. “It helps tremendously to be able to make meals and be able to have snacks for my child when he needs more. It really helps me, being a Type 1 diabetic. I get a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, things I can use to make a hearty, good meal.”
Our gratitude goes out to Perrigo for their support of food resources like this mobile distribution to help families across Allegan county.