Food Security Ministries
Thank you for continuing to support Loves and Fishes! We may not be active pantry, but they continue to feed our community!
Christ made it clear in His ministry that we must care for the poor, the orphan, and the widow. At Bethany we take His command seriously.
Food Pantry
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bethany Food Pantry has been closed indefinitely. Loves and Fishes has adopted a new no touch distribution system that requires a drive through location. Bethany's location, in the back of the parsonage, does not provide drive through access.
As more developments occur, we may be able to relocate our pantry or the existing pantry may be allowed to re-open. Many in the community remain food insecure, please remember the work of Loves & Fishes.
Food Pantry
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bethany Food Pantry has been closed indefinitely. Loves and Fishes has adopted a new no touch distribution system that requires a drive through location. Bethany's location, in the back of the parsonage, does not provide drive through access.
As more developments occur, we may be able to relocate our pantry or the existing pantry may be allowed to re-open. Many in the community remain food insecure, please remember the work of Loves & Fishes.
Mobile Food Initiative
The Mobile Food Initiative is a partnership between Loaves and Fishes, The Salvation Army, Greenwood Reformed Church and Bethany. On the fourth Wednesday of every month at 1:00 p.m., except December, a food distribution takes place at the Salvation Army. Unlike the Loaves and Fishes Pantries, you do not need to qualify and you do not need to bring identification. All you need to do is sign a form that states you are in need of food. In this time of COVID-19, the format has changed. A truck is parked in the lot and the food is directly loaded in your car.
The groceries change each month but always include fresh produce, protein, canned vegetables and a starch. Bethany's volunteers help to distribute the boxes from the truck to the clients. This program serves between 125 to 200 families a month. For more information about the MFI or other food distribution sites you can visit, go to http://kzoolf.org/mobile-food-initiative/.
The Mobile Food Initiative is a partnership between Loaves and Fishes, The Salvation Army, Greenwood Reformed Church and Bethany. On the fourth Wednesday of every month at 1:00 p.m., except December, a food distribution takes place at the Salvation Army. Unlike the Loaves and Fishes Pantries, you do not need to qualify and you do not need to bring identification. All you need to do is sign a form that states you are in need of food. In this time of COVID-19, the format has changed. A truck is parked in the lot and the food is directly loaded in your car.
The groceries change each month but always include fresh produce, protein, canned vegetables and a starch. Bethany's volunteers help to distribute the boxes from the truck to the clients. This program serves between 125 to 200 families a month. For more information about the MFI or other food distribution sites you can visit, go to http://kzoolf.org/mobile-food-initiative/.
Summer Food Support For WMU International Students
Students at WMU, Kalamazoo College and KVCC had very little notification that the semester was abruptly ending. Many who were foreign students had no way to return to their homeland, but with the suspension of classes for the summer, also had no means of support as stipends and on-campus jobs were ended. The International Campus Ministry, a CRC-RCA ministry at WMU has started a food distribution program for these students. You can find more information on Facebook or make an online gift at their giving link. You can volunteer to work at their distributions at their volunteer link. They will continue support through the summer, at least.
Students at WMU, Kalamazoo College and KVCC had very little notification that the semester was abruptly ending. Many who were foreign students had no way to return to their homeland, but with the suspension of classes for the summer, also had no means of support as stipends and on-campus jobs were ended. The International Campus Ministry, a CRC-RCA ministry at WMU has started a food distribution program for these students. You can find more information on Facebook or make an online gift at their giving link. You can volunteer to work at their distributions at their volunteer link. They will continue support through the summer, at least.
In The News
Bethany's former food pantry was featured on WWMT news. Jeff Porter, morning meteorologist, had been a volunteer for over four years. He discusses his work and the needs of the food pantry. You can see the segment by clicking on this link.