Genesis

Kids' Food Basket

Kids' Food Basket is a force for attacking childhood hunger in greater Grand Rapids. This organization began over 8 years ago by serving 125 kids each school day through its sack supper program and now serves over 3700 kids each day. Sack suppers are evening meals that provide 1000 calories and 5 food groups--nutrition that's critical to the development of kids' brains and bodies.

The fourth Sunday of each month (from 2:00 to 3:00 pm), during the school year, Genesis provides help packing sack suppers. We need 6-10 volunteers, ages 5 and above, for one hour. It's a great opportunity for your whole family to engage in an activity that gives back to the community in a direct way.

Our Club 56 youth are part of this great experience and shared the following comments about their experience:   

• "I think it is great that they feed so many people."
• "I can't believe how many people they feed with how little space they have."
• "I couldn't believe how many cereal boxes you can go through in one hour."
• "It was started when kids were found in a dumpster looking for food to take home."
• One Club 56 leader was most impressed by the fact that Sara Lee Bread Company bakes and donates all the bread for the sandwiches that go home every day (4120 slices per day). This is not day old or over bread; it is made fresh daily just for Kids' Food Basket.    "Makes me not feel bad about paying a few more cents for Sara Lee bread."
• Four Club 5/6 members that participated were encouraging the rest of the group to participate in April when we go on Palm Sunday to package food again.