The “Simply Give” food donation program is running again this year to help restock local food pantries, including North Kent Community Services.
The program, which runs from November 6 through January 7, encourages Meijer shoppers to purchase a $10 Meijer food pantry donation card at special displays throughout the store. The donation cards will be converted into gift cards and given to local pantries selected by the store.

Edward Jones is collecting food through November 16

Would you like to have a chance to really make a difference in the community?
Buy a few extra items when you buy groceries this week to donate to the local food pantry and drop them off at our local Edward Jones branch.
The Cedar Springs United Methodist Food pantry, who works in conjunction with North Kent Community Services, feeds hundreds of local families each year. In 2010, they fed 794 families—1,589 adults and 932 children. “We actually saw a rise in single adult households,” noted Mary Ivanov, pastor at Cedar Springs United Methodist.
In the past the food pantry depended on the fall food drive with the local U.S. Post office to help stock their needs. Now that the carriers are based in Rockford, they no longer have the big drive to benefit this pantry, so a local business is stepping in to help restock the shelves.
Edward Jones, 4027 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, hopes to collect 1,250 pounds of food for the pantry before November 17. Non-perishable foods can be dropped off at their office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some of the supplies needed include boxed or canned meals such as soups, hamburger helper, macaroni and cheese, rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce; baking and pancake mix; and canned meats. Personal care items such as bar soap, laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toilet paper will also be accepted, but not weighed.
Call 696-9370 for more information.

Need for emergency donations at all-time high

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25: 40).
This message from Matthew describes the guiding principle for the more than 30 volunteers who provide assistance, compassion, a listening ear, and comfort to those families who come to the Cedar Springs Community Food Pantry, at Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, on the corner of Main and Church Streets.
The Cedar Springs Community Food Pantry, a staple in the community for 26 years, was started at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church in 1985 for families who had suffered a house fire.  More volunteers were needed to help as the pantry began to assist more clients in need.  Today, up to 30 families a week, from all parts of Northern Kent County, can be referred to the pantry by North Kent Service Center to receive a week’s work of food and essentials.
Today the pantry “store” is located in the basement of the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, in several converted nursery rooms and the choir robe storage room.  Several freezers and refrigerators hold baked goods, chicken donated by church members, venison donated by area hunters, and hotdogs, hamburger, and other meats. The pantry shelves are stocked with food and staples bought by pantry volunteers, food from a faithful volunteer who has a “coupon mission,” foods from government commodities, and donations from individuals and food drives in the community.
However, with the distressed state of the economy and the job market crisis, the need for emergency food support is at an all time high. Food prices and transportation costs have sky rocketed. Children will soon be out of school for the summer adding to the need for extra food for families.
The pantry needs help! In addition to food items or cash donations, the pantry is always in need of personal care items such as dish soap, laundry soap, tooth brushes, toothpaste, bar soap, toilet paper, facial tissue, deodorants, shampoo, and feminine hygiene items.
Donated items or money can be dropped off at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church office any time during office hours Monday through Friday. The pantry accepts checks made out to the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, and in the memo line put “Community Food Pantry.”