Volunteers at Kids’ Food Basket fuel our mission each day through planting, harvesting, prepping, packing, and delivering nourishing food. They drive our success and help all children thrive.
This week we are so honored to spotlight Michelle Downer as our rockstar volunteer! She has been coming to Kids’ Food Basket for three years and helping with food prep and sorting all of the decorated bags that come in. She is such a light and really passionate about our mission of making sure kids are nourished in her community. Michelle also treated the KFB staff over the winter break by passing out goodie bags with sweet treats before the holidays.
Thank you Michelle!Â
We are so grateful to every single volunteer that engages with us as we would not be able to nourish children to reach their full potential if it wasn’t for their generosity and compassion for their community and neighbors.
Name: Michelle DownerÂ
KFB Volunteer Experience: Food Prep Volunteer and Decorated Bag Sorter 
How did you first hear about Kids’ Food Basket?
I first heard about Kids’ Food Basket when I saw an article about it in the newspaper. I was looking for something to volunteer for as I had some extra time and knew this was something I wanted to do. I came and I talked to Kay Fricano, the Volunteer Experience Specialist, and she was so kind and bubbly that I knew Kids’ Food Basket was the place I wanted to go.
Why did you choose to volunteer?
After hearing about how many kids there are in the schools in this area, such as Kent County, who go to school and don’t have enough to eat, I knew this is where I wanted to spend my time. I worked for the Grand Rapids Public School system as a Para-pro for 42 years, so I had seen that every day. I would see kids come to school hungry where they couldn’t focus, they couldn’t focus on their education, couldn’t sit still – it is a problem.Â
What is your favorite part about volunteering with Kids’ Food Basket?
I see what goes into the Sack Suppers and I realized that when I would look at the packing menu board and the number of meals that go out into the four counties every day, I wasn’t surprised but after working and seeing the amount of food that leaves the buildings, it really opened my eyes to the hunger that is here in West Michigan. It pulls at my heartstrings knowing how much hunger there is in these counties and how many people struggle with having their basic needs met. These people could be anyone too, they could be your neighbor, someone you go to church with, we just don’t know. I just don’t understand why we have this problem.
Have you learned anything new during your time volunteering?
I also volunteer with the Hunger Walk and other organizations and working with them as well as just walking through downtown Grand Rapids and seeing the homeless population there, volunteering has taught me how if we make the right steps now in helping a child’s life, it can help them in the future and hopefully avoid needing help as adults. Seeing the kind of food KFB serves too also helps me know what kind of food I need to donate to food pantries. Don’t send unhealthy snacks, food pantries need more good, healthy food to give to the community.
Describe your experience with Kids Food Basket in one word.
Inspiring.
Why do you think someone should sign up and volunteer with Kids’ Food Basket?
I have been volunteering here at Kids’ Food Basket for three years. I have told a lot of people to come volunteer at KFB and also donate to KFB, even my sister ended up gifting her year-end donation to KFB because she lives in Muskegon. I would tell others to volunteer at KFB because there are so many children and young people who don’t have access to healthy food.
Favorite fruit or vegetable?
I am a vegetarian, so I love so many fruits and vegetables. I don’t care for brussels sprouts, but my favorite is asparagus.
