Heartside Neighborhood Welcomes Neighbors to Guiding Light's Annual Community Easter Meal

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Guiding Light, the addiction recovery nonprofit based in Grand Rapids, will host its annual community Easter meal on Sunday, March 29, opening its doors to anyone from the Heartside neighborhood and the broader Grand Rapids community. The free meal requires no reservations and welcomes all who wish to attend.

The event will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Guiding Light's location at 255 S. Division Ave. in the Heartside neighborhood, where men and women enrolled in Guiding Light's recovery programs will serve guests a traditional Easter ham dinner complete with sides and dessert.

At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection and the promise of new life, said Brian Elve, executive director of Guiding Light. This meal allows us to connect with our neighbors, offer encouragement and live out Christ's love through service.

The community meal represents more than just food — it's an opportunity for participants to practice service while connecting with neighbors in their own community. The event also provides a space for people to share in fellowship during the Easter holiday season.

Family Sponsorship Brings Community Meals to Life

Sue and Tommy Brann are sponsoring this year's community meals for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas at Guiding Light. Their family hospitality tradition extends beyond this year, with Sue Brann noting the importance of shared meals in bringing people together throughout the year.

Hospitality has always been a cornerstone of our family, Sue Brann said. Sharing a meal is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to care for others. As Guiding Light prepares to open its doors to the community, we are truly called to be part of the Community Meals that bring people together throughout the year.

The Brann family's sponsorship demonstrates the deep commitment to supporting Guiding Light's mission and the importance of hospitality in the Grand Rapids community.

Family Recovery Meal Precedes Public Event

In addition to the public community meal, Guiding Light will also host a Family Recovery Easter Meal on Saturday, March 28, the day before the public event. That gathering is reserved for people connected to the nonprofit's addiction recovery programs, including current participants, their friends and family members, volunteers, and alumni.

This two-day celebration highlights Guiding Light's dual focus on supporting those in recovery while also serving the broader community. The organization works to support individuals struggling with substance use, homelessness, and other challenges through its multiple recovery programs designed to serve those in need.

A Tradition of Service and Connection

The Easter community meal is one of several annual events that Guiding Light hosts to bring people together in the Heartside neighborhood and beyond. The nonprofit's commitment to service extends beyond its recovery programs into the broader community, creating spaces where neighbors can connect, share fellowship, and experience the support of others in their own neighborhood.

The event on March 29 will be open to anyone who wishes to attend — no reservations required, and the meal is completely free for all guests. This accessibility ensures that those who might otherwise not have access to a traditional Easter meal can participate in the celebration and fellowship.

About Guiding Light

Guiding Light is an addiction recovery nonprofit serving Grand Rapids and the surrounding Kent County area. The organization provides multiple recovery programs to support individuals struggling with substance use, homelessness, and other challenges. Beyond recovery services, Guiding Light is committed to community engagement through events like the annual Easter meal, which brings neighbors together in fellowship and service.