Tag Archives: SNAP

Local food pantries overwhelmed; filling in during SNAP challenges

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Kids’ Food Basket Headquarters located at 1300 Plymouth Ave. NE. (Courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)


By Koy Flores
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

States have already begun dealing with the new SNAP restrictions in compliance with the federal government’s new guidance for the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.


These restrictions, in part, will raise the upper age limit for able-bodied adults from age 54 to 64, as well as lower the age of qualifying dependents from under 18 years old to under 14 years old for their parents or caregivers, and add new work requirements as well. (Snap Provisions of the Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025)

Refugees, asylum seekers, human trafficking victims and other survivors of crises also will be losing these benefits.

Nearly 13% of Michigan households, approximately 1.4 million people receive SNAP benefits.

Food pantries as an alternative

It’s a tenuous time packed with uncertainty, but for the roughly 42 million Americans who use SNAP monthly, it may be time to look towards your local food pantries with grace (SNAP- Key Statistics and Research). 

A Food Bank stores and provides millions of pounds of food to hundreds of different agencies, including food pantries, under the united goal of ending hunger in their communities. They utilize monetary and food donations from the USDA, retailers, distributors, farmers, manufacturers and a substantial 17% of that comes from the public.

“Food pantries are essential to the community,” said Nancy Cromley, executive director of the Green Apple Pantry. “They support the needs of all neighbors who face food insecurity. They also serve our communities by offering food that may otherwise end up in landfills. We are currently gleaning over 45,000 pounds of food each month.”

School nutrition assistance programs

In addition to the Food Pantry Model, there also are a handful of committed Michigan born companies that have been supporting local school children with nutritious take-home meals for decades.

Hand2Hand

Hand2Hand partners with local churches and schools to surprise over 13,000 students spanning across 45 school districts with a backpack filled with healthy food every week. These kids find a backpack in their lockers every Friday, in an attempt to prevent weekend hunger.

“We anticipate a growing need, especially as SNAP benefits are paused and the effects ripple into the upcoming months,” said Nicole Bosch, the Brand Marketing Manager of Hand2Hand. 

“Families who were already stretching their budgets will now have even less margin. While the full impact is still unfolding, we know many families are already feeling the stress, particularly with the holidays approaching.”


(Photo courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)


Kids’ Food Basket

Kids’ Food Basket is another school nutrition program that provides over 11,000 healthy evening meals for students daily. These are called Sack Suppers, and are delivered to 66 schools in four West Michigan counties. While they aren’t a food pantry, they help supply 18 food pantries with food from their two farms.

Effects of the SNAP cuts on pantries and recipients 

Cromley said that the usage rate for the Green Apple Pantry increased by 60% during the SNAP shutdown. Also since 2022, they have seen a 100% increase in the number of families needing food support.

Austin Roelof, the VP of Programming for Kids’ Food Basket, attributed SNAP as the “nation’s largest food assistance program” and one of the “most effective tools to reduce food insecurity.”

When asked about the projection of how many more people will rely on the pantries following the SNAP restrictions, Roeloff pointed out that 1.4 million Michiganders rely on SNAP.

“This puts thousands of Michigan families at risk of food insecurity,” said Roelof, “forcing many to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table.”

While SNAP fraud has been a contentious and valid point of concern for SNAP restrictions, as 120 people have been arrested for fraud since Nov 18, it’s important to remember there are still genuinely needy people who rely on the anti-hunger program.

“Many families receive Hand2Hand during a difficult season,” said Bosch, “such as a job loss, illness or other crisis, such as the pause of SNAP benefits. These are hardworking parents doing their best, who simply need support to make ends meet.”


Kids’ Food Basket hosting a community event. (Photo Courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)



Who used to qualify for SNAP?

As new laws circulate and the standard changes, there used to be a genuine system for determining SNAP eligibility. 

People only qualified for SNAP if they sat at or below 130% of the poverty line, and the calculations for this value is determined based on your household size and your net income, after accounting for reasonable deductions based on a person’s normal monthly expenses, including: earnings, child support, dependent care, excess shelter and medical (A Quick guide to SNAP Eligibility and Benefits).

“At a time when food insecurity was already high, this puts additional strain on families,” Roelof said. “Pantries and programs are working to fill this gap, but our community needs SNAP fully funded to nourish our neighbors in the long term.”

Roelof even went as far as to urge community members to reach out to their local legislator and stand up for the health and food security of our children.

About 60% of people who use SNAP are either seniors or children aged 17 and younger. Meaning that a majority of the people that receive the benefits of these programs are those who are financially dependent upon other people.

From these Michigan households, about 43% are families with children and 36% are families with members who are older adults or disabled (Michigan Announces $4.5 Million to Food Bank Council of Michigan).


Volunteer prepping Sack Suppers. (Photo Courtesy, Kids’ Food Basket)

Food pantries helping where they can

While the execution of Hand2Hand and Kids’ Food Basket may not be a pantry model, they both deliver food directly to the children through the school, the intent remains virtuous: the community is stronger in numbers, and no child should go hungry.

Hand2Hand and Kids’ Food Basket have already expressed having increased their normal allocations.

“This month’s food bag will include four extra items – a loaf of bread generously donated by Arnie’s Bakery and King Flour Company, individual peanut butter and jelly cups, and fresh apples donated by Wells Orchards,” Bosch said. “Looking ahead to December, we’ll be providing a 10-item booster bag filled with hearty, protein-rich foods to help families through the holiday season.” 

Roelof also expressed that Kids’ Food Basket is increasing their supply in an attempt to “bridge the SNAP gap.” This is in addition to the astounding 11,000 Sack Suppers that they provide daily to West Michigan schools.

KFB Delivering more than 13,500 additional food bags

“We are mobilizing our resources and volunteer shifts to prepare, pack and deliver more than 13,500 additional nutritional assistance bags,” Roelof said. “These bags are similar to the Break Bags we serve in neighborhood schools ahead of school breaks, containing about 15 items each, including protein, healthy grains, fruits and vegetables.”

Roelof said their farms also are going to push for more productivity during the harvest season to stock up their pantry partners, adding that they are “prepared to collaborate with donors and partner organizations across West Michigan to plan for the sustainability of our community in the future.”

Food banks aren’t a foolproof substitution for SNAP, as the federal program still outpaces these volunteer-dependent local organizations with nine meals for every one provided by Food banks, according to Feeding America.

Here’s a list of local food pantries for West Michigan residents:

  • Baxter Community Center– 935 Baxter St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (616) 456-8593 (Mon,Wed and Thur 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tue 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Fri 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
  • Community Food Club– 1100 South Division Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49597 (616) 288-5550 ($12-$18/30-day membership fee)
  • Family Network of Wyoming– 1029 44th St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 (616) 885-9919 (Mon and Wed 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
  • North Kent Connect– 10075 Northland Drive NE, Rockford MI, 49341 (616) 866-3478 (Mon and Wed 9:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m., Thur 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
  • St. Alphonsus Parish– 224 Carrier St. NE Grand Rapids, MI, 49505 (Closed between Nov 16 – 30: Mon,Tue,Wed and Thur 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
  • The Green Apple Pantry– 4307 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 (616) 455-9411 (Mon and Tue 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Wed and Thur 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
  • United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM)– 1311 Chicago Dr. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 (616) 241-4006 (By appointment only: Mon and Tue 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Thur 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
  • Streams– 280 60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 (616) 272-3634 (Tue and Thur 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thur 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
  • The Other Way– 710 West Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 451-4011 (Mon, Wed and Thur 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Tue 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Fri 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
  • SEMCOM Resource Center– 1545 Buchanan SW, Grand Rapids 49507 (616) 452-7684 (Tue and Wed 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Fri 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
  • Buist Community Access Center 870 74th St Sw Ste B Byron center 49315 (616)-583-4080 (Mon,Wed,Thur 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Tue 12:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m., 2nd Sat of the month 9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)
  • Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM)11535 Fulton St E Lowell MI 49331 (616) 897-8260 (Tue 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Wed 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Fri 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) 
  • Westminster Pantry 47 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids, 49503 (616) 456-6115 (Thur 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
  •  Byron Ministries 8250 Byron Creek Dr. Byron Center, 49315 (616) 878-6000 (Mon 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wed 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
  • Meals on Wheels Senior Pantry 1954 Fuller Ave. Ste. B Grand Rapids, 49505 (616) 459-3111 Option 3 (Mon 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Wed and Thur 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Fri Appointment only)
  • Northwest Food Pantry 1224 Davis NW Grand Rapids, 49504 (616) 300-5079 (Mon, Wed, Fri 9:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.)
  • The Community Basket (Dutton) 3178 68th St. SE, Suite B, Caledonia 49316 (616) 536-0407 (2nd Mon of the month 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.) (2nd Sat of the month 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
  • The Salvation Army Social Services 1215 E. Fulton, Grand Rapids 49503 (616) 459-9468 (M-F) 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. 
  • Barrie’s House 1031 Johnson Rd., Gowen 49362 (616) 255-9827 (Thur) 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Additional food assistance for 350,000 Michigan families in response to COVID-19 extended through August

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Michigan gained approval for additional food assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last week that, as a response to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during August.

Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance through July and now that is being extended for the month of August with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, according to the MDHSS statement.

“COVID-19 and its impact on the economy of the nation and state has made it more difficult for many Michigan families to pay for nutritious food,” Lewis Roubal, chief deputy director of opportunity for MDHHS, said in supplied material. “The department wants to provide additional assistance to help them through this health care and economic emergency.”

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Aug. 30, with payments beginning for some households on Thursday, Aug. 20. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month.

Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance Program, according torte statement. Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in August to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size.

This change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 700,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in June. The remaining households already receive the maximum benefit.
 

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or talk to a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deaf/blind or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Metro Health Farm Market returns for 14th season

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At the Metro Health Farm Market, not every booth is farm produce – some are fine crafts, coffees and spices, offering shoppers a variety of local goods to choose from.

By Jennifer Hoff

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

 

One of the most vibrant farm markets in West Michigan returns to the campus of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health for its 14th season beginning Thursday, May 11.

 

The Metro Health Farm Market expects to welcome about 35 local vendors on opening day, adding another 20 or so as the weather warms. For the 2017 season, the farm market will be open every Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, May 11 through Oct. 12.

 

“A healthy community starts with a healthy diet,” says Mike Faas, chief executive officer of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “Metro Health isn’t here just to treat illness. We’re here to be a complete wellness resource. Providing access to affordable, healthy food is part of our responsibility to the community.”

 

The Metro Health Farm Market is located on the grounds of Metro Health Hospital, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW in Wyoming, adjacent to the Village Green.

 

Though best known for fresh fruits and vegetables, it also offers baked goods, homemade foods, plants and hand-crafted items. Vendors come from throughout West Michigan.

 

“We aim for a mix of about three food vendors to every one crafter,” says Emil Hannesson, farm market manager. “Our priority is to support sustainable local farms selling their own produce.”

 

One such vendor is Austhof’s Farm in Grandville, which returns to the Metro Health Farm Market for its seventh season.

 

“The Metro market is the place to be in the summer,” says Tamryn Austhof of Austhof’s Farm. “We love it because it delivers such a strong sense of community and such a broad variety of vendors.”

 

The fare is so diverse that the market publishes a weekly recipe featuring produce from vendors. The Farm Market Recipe of the Week is distributed at the on-site information booth and available on the Metro Health website.

 

Daily attendance at the Metro Health Farm Market averages well over 1,000. Shoppers come from the surrounding Wyoming community, as well as throughout the greater Grand Rapids area.

 

“Many of our customers are low income, with few options for fresh, affordable produce,” Hannesson says. “The Farm Market supports community health by making it easier for these customers to choose nutritious food.”

 

About one-third of customers pay using government assistance. The Farm Market accepts SNAP Bridge Cards, WIC Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH.

 

The Farm Market also participates in Double Up Food Bucks, a state assistance program that helps low-income people stretch their food dollars. When SNAP shoppers spend at the Farm Market, they’re eligible for matching funds to buy Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables—up to $20 each market day.

 

Beyond its role as a source of fresh, affordable produce, the Metro Health Farm Market also serves as a place for the community to come together. That’s especially true when market days coincide with the following special events planned for the Metro Health Village Green:

 

  • Kids Day on June 15 offers a variety of fun activities for families.

 

  • Health and Wellness Day on July 27 invites the community to learn about ways to live healthier.

 

  • Sustainability Day on August 17 invites the community to learn about ways to live greener.

 

“If it’s about improving health—of our patients, of our community, of our environment—it’s happening here,” Faas says.