Chris Kuebler

Volunteers Make the Difference

Without the dedication and hard work of caring volunteers, our twice-a-month Mobile Food Pantry visits from Feeding America West Michigan simply wouldn’t be possible. It takes about 20 people to administer one Mobile Food Pantry and about 10 – 15 of these, every month, are volunteers.

Even in the coldest months of the year, these dedicated volunteers can be found loading boxes and moving them down the assembly line where they eventually are hand-loaded into participants’ vehicles. There’s usually music playing and there are always smiles…from the volunteers and the people receiving the food. 

Many local businesses and organizations regularly send groups to volunteer including; Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, Fremont Insurance, Gerber Life, Gerber Products, Green Acres, H&S Companies, Horizon Bank, Humana and Wesco, as well as many local churches like Newaygo Congregational United Church of Christ and student groups like Newaygo High School’s Cross Country team and National Honor Society. 

“It is so important that students learn the value of community service. It teaches them the important life skill of giving back to others,” said Lisa Piccard, NHS Counselor and National Honor Society Advisor.

In 2024, this vital food service served nearly 16,000 individuals from 5,572 families. All of this would not be possible without our volunteers, to whom we would like to give a very warm and enthusiastic ‘Thank you!’