Increase in mobile food bank events provides relief in wake of COVID-19
By Cory Smith | on March 25, 2020 | The Daily News
GREENVILLE — As a lifelong firefighter and resident of Florida, Don Ruiter has pretty much seen it all.
Pastor Matthew Stone of Greenville First Church of God packages gallons of milk into boxes to be distributed to families in need during a food distribution event Monday at Greenville High School. — DN Photo | Cory Smith
“I’ve been through dozens of hurricanes, the 1998 wildfires, the Parkland school shooting — I’ve been through tons of crisis events,” he said.
In moving to Michigan a year ago, and having since built a house west of Greenville, Ruiter knows what it takes to overcome tragedy and a feeling of the unknown.
On Monday afternoon, as he directed car after car in the parking lot of Greenville High School for a Feeding America mobile food bank, Ruiter understood the feelings of anxiety and worry coming from many of the drivers.
It was just four hours previous that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, which would take effect at 12:01 a.m. to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
With schools, restaurants, retailers and salons already closed, the expected closure of numerous other aspects of society leaves many wonder, “what happens next?”
And while Ruiter wondered that himself, he still volunteered, and as he did so, he did it with a smile.
“I don’t see people moping around sad, they are looking at how to get through this,” he said. “We’re all going to get along and everything is going to be better in the end. I’m new to Greenville, but this is a special community, a beautiful community. Everyone has been nothing but supportive.”
Ruiter was joined by several other members of his church, City Church of Greenville, as well as members of the congregation from Greenville First Church of God, to help distribute 7,500 pounds of food.
“Watching the community of these two churches side by side — we’ve never met any of these people before —and they have all just blended together,” Ruiter said. “Greenville has been waiting for community to come together, and these two churches are showing it doesn’t matter where you come from, we can all just work together and feed the community. That’s a special thing.”
olunteer Dillon Bramen unloads boxes of food to be distributed to families in need during a food distribution event Monday at Greenville High School. — DN Photo | Cory Smith
Monday’s food truck event was part of an increase in initiative by United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties to meet the needs of those impacted by the COVID-19 virus pandemic.
Paster Matthew Stone of Greenville First Church of God is used to seeing about 120 families visit the monthly food pantry event at his church, but Monday, he said 280 families representing 935 individuals — including 173 seniors, 342 children and 36 military veterans — came to receive food.
“It’s very clear this is a need,” he said. “We saw a lot of fresh faces today we don’t normally see at our monthly distribution. City Church has been really involved with us in this, and lots of hands make light work. This has gone really smooth. Having people stay in their vehicles, and us doing our part with social distancing, we’re trying to be more mindful of that.”
United Way and Feeding America have committed to offering weekly food distribution events for six weeks in several communities (see info box for schedule), and Stone said his congregation will continue to volunteer at such events as long as they are requested.
“We just all really strive to believe we are better together. When community comes together — because community matters — we can lighten the load a little, where we don’t have to shoulder it individually,” he said. “We encourage people to continue taking care of themselves and their family — and then the folks in their neighborhood. We’re reminded during these times that we need each other, and we should be looking out for each other.”
According to United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties Executive Director Terri Legg, the larger-than-normal turnout in Greenville was not unique, as events in Howard City and Belding last week saw an increase in turnout as well.
“In Howard City they had to turn away about 80 to 100 cars, so we’re moving that location from Leppinks to Tri County Schools. In Belding, where they normally serve 100 families, they served 200,” she said. “I think people have to remember not to panic, that the grocery stores are still open, though we have seen a significant increase in seniors and veterans using these food banks, which is phenomenal.”
Volunteers take down the information of dozens of people who wait while parked in lanes within the Greenville High School parking lot during a food distribution event Monday. — DN Photo | Cory Smith
Legg said through partnerships developed with Belding Area Schools, Greenville Public Schools, Tri County Area Schools, the Ionia County 4-H Fairgrounds, Greenville Area Community Foundation and several other entities, locations and funding for the mobile food bank events can continue weekly for at least six weeks.
“We couldn’t do this without them, offering us their space and resources,” she said. “We have everything scheduled for six weeks out, which is contingent on donations to our Crisis Fund. If we get more donations, that allows us to sustain longer. Based on the monies we’ve received now, we can do this through May 7.”
Legg said while normally food pantry and mobile food bank events have stipulations on them such as low-income requirements or living within the geographical area, all restrictions are being waived at this time.
“There’s no requirement,” she said. “We’re even adding a Wednesday food bank event, so that’s almost every single day of the week that we have a pantry in one of the two counties.”
Legg stressed that for those that are fearful of attending such an event, all precautionary measures are bing taken to keep the events as safe as possible, and for those in need — from rides to food pantries to assistance with utilities — people should call 2-1-1.
“Everything we are doing is compliant with the Michigan Health Department, and we are considered essential workers to provide food to folks, so we are 100 percent in compliance with the executive order,” she said.
“We’re trying to keep people as socially isolated as we need to, to try to make it as convenient as possible for people — no participants can get out of their car. As of right now, we’re not set up for curbside drop-off, but if anyone needs assistance, we need for them to call 2-1-1. That is our first line of response that is anything non-emergency.”
During Monday’s Feeding America food distribution event Monday at Greenville High School, 280 families representing 935 individuals — including 173 seniors, 342 children and 36 military veterans — received food. — DN Photo | Cory Smith
Legg said the temperatures of all volunteers will be taken before anyone participating, with anyone running a fever to be turned away to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Legg said that through these tough times, she encourages everyone to remain calm and show kindness to one another.
“It the midst of everything that is scary and concerning, we have to remember the greatness of our neighbors. It really is neighbors helping neighbors right now,” she said. “It really is quite great to see the community come together, and not only to see those volunteers that are there, but they are smiling and joking, just really there out of the goodness of their heart trying to make a difference.”
LOCAL FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE
Here is the current Feeding America food truck schedule, including participating pantries, organized by Ionia-Montcalm United Way:
• March 27: Belding High School, 850 Hall St, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• March 28: Tri County High School, 21350 Kendaville Road., 1 to 2 p.m.
• March 30: Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest St., 3 to 4 p.m.
• March 30: Saranac High School, 150 Pleasant St., 11 a.m. to noon.
• March 31: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.
• March 31: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main St., Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.
• April 2: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen, 10 to 11 a.m.
• April 3: Belding High School, 850 Hall St., 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• April 4: Tri County High School, 21350 Kendaville Road, 1 to 2 p.m.
• April 6: Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest St., 3 to 4 p.m.
• April 7: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.
• April 7: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main St., Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.
• April 9: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen, 10 to 11 a.m.
• April 10: Belding High School, 850 Hall St, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• April 11: Tri County High School, 21350 Kendaville Road., 1 to 2 p.m.
• April 13: Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest St., 3 to 4 p.m.
• April 13: Saranac High School, 150 Pleasant St., 11 a.m. to noon.
• April 14: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.
• April 14: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main St., Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.
• April 16: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen, 10 to 11 a.m.
• April 18: Tri County High School, 21350 Kendaville Road., 1 to 2 p.m.
• April 20: Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest St., 3 to 4 p.m.
• April 21: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.
• April 21: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main St., Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.
• April 23: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen, 10 to 11 a.m.
• April 24: Belding High School, 850 Hall St, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• April 25: Tri County High School, 21350 Kendaville Road., 1 to 2 p.m.
• April 27: Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest St., 3 to 4 p.m.
• April 27: Saranac High School, 150 Pleasant St., 11 a.m. to noon.
• April 28: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.
• April 28: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main St., Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.
• April 30: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen, 10 to 11 a.m.
• May 1: Belding High School, 850 Hall St, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• May 2: Tri County High School, 21350 Kendaville Road., 1 to 2 p.m.
• May 7: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen, 10 to 11 a.m