The Access County Wide Food Drive starts Sunday!

1 in 6 local families is struggling with hunger. The need is as great as ever and the help of the community is essential to solving this problem. The Access County Wide Food Drive starts Sunday and is a great community event uniting over 50 pantries and hundreds of congregations, businesses, schools, and individuals in the fight against food insecurity.

This year Access is strongly encouraging folks to donate healthy food items. “We believe that healthy food and well-balanced nutritional options are an important way to fight food insecurity,” says Emma Garcia, Access Hunger Response Director. “We are relying on the Kent County community to rally around this food drive effort.”

Everyone is encouraged to participate: individuals, families, small groups, congregations, corporations, schools and more.  Fill a bag with healthy food & personal care items and drop it off at any Kent County SpartanNash Store (Family Fare or D&W) during the week of October 5-11. Suggested donation items are listed below, and more details can be found at www.AccessofWestMichigan.org.

1 in 11 Kent County residents use the Access Pantry Network, so the goal is to collect 60 tons of food and personal care items to help meet those needs. All of these collected items will be distributed among local food pantries. 

Suggested Donation Items:

• Non-sugary cereal
• Pasta and sauce
• Beans and rice
• Low sodium soups
• Whole grains (oatmeal, snack bars, etc.)
• Canned fruits and vegetables (low sugar & low sodium)
• Canned meats packed in water (stew, tuna, chicken, etc.)
• Peanut butter
• Personal care items (shampoo, deodorant, diapers, etc.)
• Household items (toilet paper, laundry detergent, soap, etc.)