KENTWOOD — In an effort to tackle ongoing food insecurity across West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, Feeding America West Michigan is launching a major volunteer drive for September’s Hunger Action Month, aiming to recruit 100 new volunteers and package 50,000 meals worth of food.
The challenge comes at a critical time for the region, where elevated living costs continue to strain household budgets. According to the food bank, one in seven residents across its 40-county service area faces food insecurity, with rates rising to nearly one in five among children.
Volunteers serve as the operational backbone of the non-profit’s distribution efforts, repacking bulk donations of staples like cereal, pasta, and potatoes into family-sized portions, as well as assembling emergency food boxes for local pantries and senior assistance programs. A significant portion of this inventory consists of surplus food rescued from regional farms and manufacturers that would otherwise end up in landfills.
“Volunteers are the muscle behind the mission,” said Pattijean McCahill, president and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan. “Last year, our warehouse volunteers provided 2.7 million meals for our neighbors, and the tasks are easy enough for anyone to do. When people volunteer here, they see that they can make a difference with a gift of time.”…