COVID-19 Hunger Heroes Part 7: Thanks to the Marquette County COVID-19 Response Fund, a family gets the food they need

When Mary Ann was laid off in mid-March, her first thought was her 7-year-old daughter Madison: “How will we be able to provide for everything she needs?” she recalled thinking. “With bills to pay, feeding our family and pets – I had a slight panic attack,” she shared. Continue reading

national guard helping in the warehouse

COVID-19 Hunger Heroes Part 6: MI National Guard dedicates 2 ½ months to hunger-relief efforts during pandemic

From March 16 through June, Feeding America West Michigan has distributed an unprecedented amount of food – 8,956,560 pounds to be exact. That’s roughly 40 percent more food than we distributed during the same time frame in 2019. This food – equivalent to nearly 7.5 million meals – wouldn’t have made it to the hands of our neighbors facing hunger if it weren’t for the support of 17 dedicated Michigan National Guard members. Continue reading

A reefer (back part of a truck) with the food bank's logo on it awaits loading.

COVID-19 Hunger Heroes Part 5: Subaru, ConAgra and other supporters help Feeding America West Michigan meet increased need through new and replacement equipment

When the COVID-19 crisis hit, closing jobs and schools, Feeding America West Michigan quickly saw a ripple effect. As neighbors who had never needed food assistance before found themselves facing empty cupboards, and those already facing hunger found it even … Continue reading

Katie poses with the food she received at the Mobile Pantry

COVID-19 Hunger Heroes Part 4: United Way of Montcalm-Ionia Counties brings 44 Mobile Pantries to neighbors in need during pandemic

On a sunny day in early June, cars lined the road leading up to Saranac High School’s football field. The cars’ drivers waited patiently for the Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry to begin. They watched as volunteers unloaded thousands of pounds of fresh produce and other food from one of the food bank’s trucks and prepared it for distribution. Continue reading

A volunteer's shirt says "because healthy and sustainable communities are built, not found."

COVID-19 Hunger Heroes Part 3: Fremont Area Community Foundation helps the food bank fight hunger year-round, increases support during the pandemic

Newaygo County’s rurality means many residents face unique challenges, even without a global pandemic. Many people in this region work in the tourism, manufacturing and agricultural industries, which have suffered greatly due to COVID-19. Typically, 1 in 7 Newaygo neighbors faces hunger, but now, 1 in 5 is projected to face hunger this year, according to the Feeding America National Organization. Continue reading

COVID-19 Hunger Heroes Part 2: Donations decline, hunger soars, but UPS, Fifth Third, Feeding America give essential support

The pandemic has created the perfect storm for Feeding America West Michigan – higher demand, reduced food donations and plenty of changes to our operating model. We’ve had to spend much more on purchasing food so that we can help organizations like Community Action House serve neighbors. Continue reading