Director's Blog - Bridget's guest blog for GR Social Diary

posted on Feb 12th 2010 at 12:00am by Bridget Clark Whitney

Bridget's Guest Blog Post Grand Rapids Social Diary

February 12, 2010

I’ll say it: Grand Rapids. Best. City. Ever.

It’s strange I should make such a bold statement since in reality I’m not even from West Michigan.  My hubby has dotingly labeled us both “transplants,” which immediately brings to mind those nasty Grey’s Anatomy scenes I’m certain we’d all sooner forget.  Regardless, if I’m going to be transplanted I’m happy to confess there is no place I’d rather land than here.

I’ve been passionate about social justice issues for as long as I can remember.  I’m constantly plagued by the reality of people going hungry, suffering from homelessness, being without basic human necessities. That dreadful list goes on.

Reflecting back to my childhood, I remember asking my mother “why are we here?”  I’d like to think my queries meant something deeply profound:  about the meaning of life, the origin of species, Adam, Eve, or even my Clark family genealogy.  But probably not. What sticks in my head, though, was her tender response. “We are here for each other,” she’d wisely profess.  One of the reasons I love being in GR?  We are a city that’s here for each other.

Recently, at a meeting with one of our donors, I was asked if Kids’ Food Basket (KFB) considered themselves active in the “Brain Development Business”.  I chuckled at first at that notion. But let’s face it: he was telling it like it is!  The enormous support Grand Rapids has shown KFB has allowed us to continually prevent young brains from the irreparable effects of undernourishment.  Our explosive growth over the past year has been because of you, Grand Rapids!

In order to serve the 14+ schools on our waiting list, we realize the most critical need facing our program is community awareness.  Because of our donors, supporters, and the constant stream of dutiful volunteers, KFB has grown 33% from this day last year. Amazing.

Currently we provide 2,346 evening meals to kids in Kent County who are considered food insecure. When KFB had an overwhelming need for 100% fruit juice, Chef Tommy Fitz created JuiceBall and raised funds for 144,000 juice boxes. Truly amazing.  This is Grand Rapids.

Every time a child gets a sack supper, we hear and see appreciation. Elementary school children and their families in Kent County are exceedingly grateful for this service we provide. They are also smart and are able to realize that behind each sack supper, there is a face – a volunteer or a donor who cares enough to make this opportunity possible.

These free evening meals are vital to the success of our community. Food insecure children are more susceptible to illness, obesity, and are more likely to face growth and developmental problems.  As we’re all aware, money is tight in Michigan.  Families are stretching their dollars further and in some cases meals are skipped. These sacrifices can threaten the futures of our community’s young and vulnerable children.  It warms our hearts when we hear from parents that because of the meals KFB provides to their children, and because of the trust they have with us to do so, they are able to pay a bill, leave the lights on, get an important prescription--that’s right where we want to be.

Finally, I want to share with you how important and incredibly meaningful your support is as perceived by even the children.  We learned through a survey of elementary school teachers that boys and girls look forward to the sack supper delivery every school day. Letters from students tell us, “Thank you for the food and juice. The food makes my mouth water.” Another writes, “Thank you for taking your time to make the sack supper.” These are the genre of notes that give our work the best meaning.

Whether your gifts are in the form of friendship, food, or funds, YOU are helping to attack childhood hunger in Grand Rapids.  If there is any city in America that can eradicate hunger, it’s Grand Rapids.  So insists this transplant.

Note to readers:  You are always invited to visit! Come and see how Kids’ Food Basket works and understand what it takes to make a difference in the lives of food insecure children.  www.kidsfoodbasket.org