Kids’ Food Basket will celebrate the opening of its new permanent location in Holland. The Grand Opening will be held tomorrow evening. The newly renovated building was actually opened last year and served families in need however, the pandemic didn’t allow for a formal grand opening.
“It has been critical for us, it would have been critical without the pandemic, but it’s been particularily important for us, giving us the space that we’ve needed, to be able to respond to the need as a result of the pandemic.”
That’s Afton Devos, Chief Operating Officer for Kids’ Food Basket. She says they are pleased to host a formal grand opening at their new facility in Holland. It actually opened last year but the pandemic prevented the larger event.
There was a growing need in the community, caused Kids’ Food Basket to launch the Ottawa/Allegan Feeding Our Future capital campaign in 2019 to raise $2.5 million to expand capacity for programming and volunteer opportunities. This larger facility allows the organization to serve more children and families.
“Having a facility and a program that makes an immediate and long-term difference in the lives of Ottawa and Allegan children is really humbling for us. And so, we’re grateful we’re able to celebrate that with the community that supported us through this campaign.”
Since the opening of the new building, Kids’ Food Basket has been able to remove a few locations off of a waitlist… Schools like Fennville and Pullman Elementary where at least 70% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-cost meals. Devos says another great need is the one for volunteers.
“We still are in need for volunteers across all three of our locations. In Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties and in Kent county. Volunteerism is a huge need for us, it’s the life blood of our organization.”
You can find more information on their website at kidsfoodbasket.org
The grand opening will take place Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
