The Meanwhile Bar to host July Night Out for The Rapidian

On July 23, The Meanwhile will give back to the community by hosting this month's Rapidian Night Out. For the entire evening, 30 percent of every drink purchase will go to support The Rapidian and keep citizen journalism alive.

The Meanwhile Bar, established in 2007, is owned and operated by siblings Jeff and Tami Vandenberg. It is well known for its unique décor and focus on local product. Fifteen of 16 beers on tap at The Meanwhile are made in Michigan, as well as many of the other beverages.

“I think we were a really early supporter and adopter of Michigan beers,” says Tami Vandenberg, co-owner of The Meanwhile. “Now, fortunately, you see them everywhere, but when we decided to do all of our taps except one [Michigan-made], it was a pretty bold move.”

While deciding on an atmosphere for The Meanwhile, the Vandenbergs had a few priorities.

“We were looking for the bar that we wanted to hang out at,” says Vandenberg. Outdoor seating, local art, quality music and absolutely no televisions were important factors for The Meanwhile.

“I wanted it to be focused on the people... that are in the bar,” says Vandenberg.

Since its first year, The Meanwhile has been doing between four and six benefits a year for nonprofits.

“In the beginning it was a really great way to get people in the door," says Vandenberg. "Now it’s more of a way of just us giving back to our customers and things that our customers care about.”

Rapidian staff will be available on the evening of the Night Out from 5-8 p.m. to take donations. Donors will receive Rapidian swag like civic investor vinyl stickers and t-shirts as a way of saying thank you for your donation- and a way for you to show off your Rapidian love. Whether you're at the event or unable to attend, be sure to take advantage of the chance to show us some Rapidian love and supporting us by donating online. 

The Rapidian, a proud service of the Community Media Center, was started thanks to generous grants from the Knight Foundation and our local Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

Now that those grants are completed, we need your help to keep The Rapidian going. The Rapidian provides a platform for all voices in Grand Rapids, sharing local news, information and perspectives by empowering anyone in the community to become a citizen journalist.

Citizen journalists are provided with tools, training and individual mentors to help them along the way-and in return they provide us with all sorts of stories about what is going on in our community.

Come on down to The Meanwhile at 1005 Wealthy St. SE to say "hi" -and don't forget to thank The Meanwhile for their generous support of our efforts!