2007 Annual Report

ACCESS Food Pantry Network of Kent County

This has been a year of unprecedented requests and demands on the food pantry system.  According to a Grand Rapids Press article of December, 2007, the rate of children living in poverty in Kent County is 13% and has risen 43% from 2000-2005 (and risen at an even higher rate since then).  As the slow economy continues, people are increasingly using up their limited resources and relying on pantries to feed their families. We are now averaging services to over 6500 households every month.

The Kent County Emergency Needs Task Force continues to meet to address hunger needs collaboratively. They are currently working to creatively address the increased need for food supplies. Some ideas being investigated are Angel Food Ministries, cooperative food purchasing, specialty food items for those with specific health needs, and community gardening.  They also continue to address transportation needs, both for clients who need to get to the pantries and pantries who need help obtaining food supplies.

In 2007, the network of one hundred food pantries, including the eleven Pantry Resource Centers, provided 77,619 food services to 17,616 (unduplicated) households (food services includes mobile food trucks, commodities food, formula, supplemental food and special health referrals through the Nutritional Options for Wellness (NOW) program.)  Total food services were up 13.5% over 2006. There were143,506 multiple services for food, clothing, holiday baskets and other referrals  provided to 459,005 individuals (238,892 adults and 220,113 children). We continue to see many families for the first time. They are often either recently unemployed or have found work that pays much less than previous jobs.  The Holiday Giving Network processed 6,945 holiday food basket applications for Thanksgiving, Christmas and 5,141 toy assistance applications.

We are grateful for the success of our major food drives this year. The County Wide Food Drive collected over 101 tons of food in one day! This was up from 96 tons collected last year. Food for Families, our collaborative summer food drive effort with Spartan Stores, WZZM and Two Men and a Truck, collected over 268,000 pounds over the eight day program.  In addition, community awareness regarding hunger issues was raised through the news stories and air time they provided.  Care Week collected nearly 20 tons of food with the help of twenty-four SW area schools (23 tons last year).  Numerous congregations, schools, businesses and service groups also support the Pantry Network with food drives, volunteer help and financial donations.

Demographic Information

The largest percentage of households served is single parents with minor children and singles (20% each), followed closely by couples with minor children (16%).  We are grateful for the Senior Pantry which addresses the rising need among our senior citizens.  The average family size for all reporting pantries is 3 people per family.

73% of households utilize food pantries three or less times per year. 47% only come once, 17% come twice, 9% come three times, 10% come more than 7 times.  Those who visit the pantry frequently have significant barriers that prevent them from increasing their income.  We remain committed to transitioning families from needing to use the pantry but remain very willing to serve as the safety net for those who need help on an ongoing basis.

It is notable that Food Stamp cases have risen dramatically the last several years:  12,000 cases in 2000 to over 30,000 in 2007.  We encourage eligible households to enroll in this valuable program which provides a much better source of food security than relying on what pantries may (or may not) have. The ACCESS Food Stamp Outreach worker visits various pantries and senior sites to assist in the application process. An average of ten families each month were enrolled though our food stamp outreach program in 2007, providing an average monthly benefit of $100 per household.

Pantry Resource Highlights:

The Other Way Ministries: TOW celebrated its 40^th year of ministry and honored precious volunteers who have served all of those 40 years! As they move into the New Year, they are becoming increasingly developmental, family focused and excited about what God has in store for our community.

Northwest Food Pantry:  Client choice pantry will begin in May. They are offering aerobic and workout classes twice a week. Client numbers have increased after one of their major support pantries closed.

United Church Outreach Ministry: Moving into their new building with its increased accessibility has allowed them to offer special events such as the free bike give-away, free Christmas trees and pictures with Santa.  They have added community services such as a Spectrum Community Health worker and MSU Extension Dietary aides on a weekly basis.

Westminster Pantry: They continue to see an increase in clients. They appreciated the first-time food collections from the East GR/County Wide Food Drive area. The Holiday Giving Network program worked better this year as they received donations to purchase store vouchers for clients.

North End Community Ministry: NECM served an all time high of 891 families in October and 900 applicants screened for Holiday Giving Network. In addition, NECM recognizes the need to provide educational opportunities and have partnered with Calvin College to provide budgeting, job skills and computer training for 20 students.

North Kent Service Center: Offers client choice, pre-packed food bags, referrals to support pantries (including an evening pantry) and referrals to Mobile Trucks and Angel Food Ministries locations. They are also focusing on improving client choice and healthy food options.

John Knox Pantry: Client numbers are rising and they are challenged by limited food and financial resources. They are grateful that they received a grant to pay a data entry specialist this past year.

South End Community Outreach Ministries: They welcomed the newest addition to their services by opening a “Baby/Infant Pantry”, providing nutritional and personal care needs of low income families with children under 24 months.

Baxter Community Center: With support of key businesses, Baxter Community Center Market Place was able to provide holiday gift cards to 100 families, in addition to the traditional holiday basket matches. They also provide free income tax services to low-income families by appointment.

Byron Community Ministries: BCM has had a record year in food and clothing services.  They have also seen a large increase in special requests for personal care items like eyeglasses, prescriptions and dental care.

The Salvation Army Booth Family Services: They are open five days a week to serve anyone in the county. They also provide emergency utility assistance, clothing and household vouchers, homeless prevention programs, an on-site health clinic and residential programs for pregnant teens and families.

Thanks to our Partners!

Pantry Resource Centers and Neighborhood Support Pantries- our sincerest gratitude for the incredible service provided by the pantry network. They continue to respond to the need, even as we serve more people than ever.

Pantry Donors: many congregations, schools, businesses and community agencies partner to provide the food supplies, volunteers and financial support to sustain this essential safety net.

GRACE Hunger Program: the annual Hunger Walk funds a variety of local hunger-fighting agencies and programs. Thanks to all walkers and pledgers!

The Grand Rapids Press and WCSG Radio: enthusiastic and generous coverage of our County Wide Food Drive contributes significantly to helping us reach our 100 ton goal!

Second Harvest Gleaners: using Gleaners is the best way for agencies to stretch their food dollars and maximize resources to serve more families.

Spartan Stores: for their ongoing generous support by underwriting the County Wide Food Drive, cosponsoring 13 Food for Families summer food drive and their annual holiday Scan Away Hunger program.

WZZM TV-13: for major sponsorship of the 13 Food for Families summer food drive and support for the County Wide County Food Drive.

Mercantile Bank: for providing the grocery bags for the County Wide Food Drive each year, Two Men And A Truck: for providing free delivery to a nine county area for Food for Families and for County Wide Food Drive box delivery, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans as a brand-new County Wide Food Drive Underwriter in 2007.

Kent County Emergency Food Task Force: for providing leadership, coordination and vision in developing a community wide response to addressing hunger issues.

United Way 211 First Call for Help: for making timely and helpful referrals to pantries and other resources for thousands of people each year.

We are sincerely grateful for the financial, food, volunteer and prayer support from so many partners throughout the year. You encourage us to press onward toward making Kent County a “Hunger Free Zone” in 2008.