Grand Rapids Area Nonprofits Rally to Support Seniors and Families Facing Food Insecurity

By Grand Rapids Press Wire

March For Meals Returns to Millennium Park for Fifth Annual Community Event

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Meals on Wheels Western Michigan served Kent and Allegan Counties by providing nutrition services to senior citizens through home-delivered meals, community dining sites, and a pantry program in Kent County. While food is a primary focus of the organization, the human connection is just as important.

"Meals are prepared from scratch, worked in tandem with Meals on Wheels' executive chef and registered dietitian, and seniors can choose their menu options," said Meals on Wheels Western Michigan.

The organization will host their fifth annual "March For Meals" community walk and 5K timed run this Saturday, March 28 at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids.

"The run and walk will be March 28 at Millennium Park," reported FOX 17 Morning Mix.

Informational pickup and festivities will begin at 9 A.M., and the race and walk begins at 10:15. The event is open to competitive runners or casual walkers and all ages are welcome to participate.

"The event is open to competitive runners or casual walkers and all ages are welcome to participate. Dogs are also allowed to participate!" stated the event organizers.

Awards will be presented to the top runners of the timed 5K. During the festivities, participants will also have an opportunity to decorate the meal bags that are distributed to seniors, as well as connect with volunteers and staff with the organization. Children can also participate in facepainting.

"During the festivities, participants will also have an opportunity to decorate the meal bags that are distributed to seniors, as well as connect with volunteers and staff with the organization. Children can also participate in facepainting," the event details explain.

The event raises awareness and support for Meals on Wheels Western Michigan's services, and the event is part of March's national month of advocacy and awareness for the greater Meals on Wheels program nationwide.

"The event raises awareness and support for Meals on Wheels Western Michigan's services, and the event is part of March's national month of advocacy and awareness for the greater Meals on Wheels program nationwide," organizers stated.

The event is $40 to register for participating in the walk or run, and includes a shirt and medal for those who finish. Children five and under are free.

"The event is $40 to register for participating in the walk or run, and includes a shirt and medal for those who finish. Children five and under are free," the registration details confirm.

Feeding America Opens New Fixed-Site Pantry in Kentwood

While Meals on Wheels celebrates its annual fundraiser, Feeding America West Michigan also marked a significant milestone with the opening of its new Second Harvest Pantry location in Kentwood.

Feeding American West Michigan held a ribbon cutting at the site of its new pantry in Kentwood on Tuesday, March 24. Second Harvest Pantry, located on 52nd Street, opened in late January.

"Feeding American West Michigan held a ribbon cutting at the site of its new pantry in Kentwood Tuesday," reported WOOD TV.

The location is the food bank's first fixed-site pantry and has sold more than 2,000 households in the seven weeks since it opened.

"The location is the food bank's first fixed-site pantry and has sold more than 2,000 households in the seven weeks since it opened," the news outlet confirmed.

Ken Estelle, the President and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan, commended the city of Kentwood for their assistance in the development of the pantry.

"We have at Feeding America and that mission is to provide nourishment and hunger relief to our neighbors by amplifying the strength of our communities like we have here in Kentwood," said Ken Estelle.

The pantry operates on specific hours to serve the community effectively. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Additional times include 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month, with regularly rotating inventory.

"The pantry is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Additional times include 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month," the pantry hours detail.

The rotating inventory will include "a variety of fresh, frozen, canned and boxed food options," according to Feeding America.

"The rotating inventory will include 'a variety of fresh, frozen, canned and boxed food options,' according to Feeding America," the organization stated.

"Ultimately, we hope that we can meet the need, and we expect that need will be growing into 2026 because of some changes in federal policy," Estelle said in a statement.

"We know that more people will come for help, and it is our mission to help people who need food support. We also want to make sure that they feel welcome, that there is a choice, and that they're treated with dignity," Estelle added.

Community Support Grows Amid Rising Food Insecurity

Both organizations are responding to increasing demand for food assistance services in Kent and Allegan Counties. The combination of home-delivered meals for seniors and fixed-site pantries for families facing food insecurity represents a comprehensive approach to addressing hunger in the region.

"Meals on Wheels Western Michigan serves Kent and Allegan Counties by providing nutrition services to senior citizens by providing home-delivered meals, community dining sites, and a pantry program in Kent County," the organization's website explains.

The March For Meals event not only raises funds but also strengthens the community bond between volunteers, donors, and the seniors who rely on these essential services. The ability for participants to decorate meal bags creates a tangible connection to the work being done.

"Meals are prepared from scratch, worked in tandem with Meals on Wheels' executive chef and registered dietitian, and seniors can choose their menu options," the organization stated.

The event is part of a larger national movement, occurring during March's national month of advocacy and awareness for the greater Meals on Wheels program nationwide.

How to Get Involved

March For Meals 5K

• Date: Saturday, March 28
• Location: Millennium Park, Grand Rapids
• Start Time: 10:15 A.M. (registration and festivities begin at 9 A.M.)
• Registration: $40 per participant (children 5 and under are free)
• What's Included: Shirt and medal for finishers
• Coupon Code: FOX17 saves $5 off registration
• Website: mealsonwheelswesternmichigan.org

Second Harvest Pantry Kentwood

• Address: 52nd Street, Kentwood, MI
• Hours:

- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

- Second and fourth Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Inventory: Fresh, frozen, canned, and boxed food options

More Than Just Food

Both Meals on Wheels Western Michigan and Feeding America West Michigan understand that addressing hunger goes beyond simply providing food. The organizations emphasize the importance of dignity, choice, and human connection in their services.

"We also want to make sure that they feel welcome, that there is a choice, and that they're treated with dignity," Ken Estelle stated.

The human connection is just as important as the meals themselves. Seniors who receive home-delivered meals get to choose from menu options prepared by professional chefs and registered dietitians. The March For Meals event creates opportunities for community members to connect with volunteers and staff who make these services possible.

"While food is a primary focus of the organization, the human connection is just as important," Meals on Wheels Western Michigan explained.

Looking Ahead

As both organizations expand their reach and services, they are responding to what Feeding America's Ken Estelle describes as growing need into 2026 due to federal policy changes. The success of the new Kentwood pantry, with over 2,000 households served in just seven weeks, demonstrates the critical importance of these services.

"We expect that need will be growing into 2026 because of some changes in federal policy," Estelle noted.

The fifth annual March For Meals represents another milestone for Meals on Wheels Western Michigan, showing sustained community support and engagement over multiple years.

Stay Connected

• Meals on Wheels Western Michigan: mealsonwheelswesternmichigan.org
• Feeding America West Michigan: feedingamerica.org/west-michigan
• Follow the March For Meals: @FOX17MorningMix on social media