GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A short walk made a big difference for families in Kent County who are struggling to make ends meet.
The 36 th annual Walk for Warmth started Saturday at 9 a.m. with speeches from leaders at the Kent County Community Action Department. Around 100 people attended the event, including State Rep. Carol Glanville, D-Walker. Glanville presented the department with a tribute signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other state legislators, recognizing the department’s work. The Kent County Board of Commissioners also gave a proclamation calling for Feb. 10, 2024, to be Walk for Warmth Day.
Gustavo Perez, the director of Kent County Community Action, said the walk is one of their biggest fundraising events. It raises between $10,000 to $20,000. Those funds then go towards helping hundreds of households in the county that struggle to pay for heat and have received a utility shut-off notice. Perez said they found in a recent study that more than 60,000 homes are burdened by housing costs like heating.