Author: Christian Sirowatka

Walk for Good Food 2020 Sponsor: The Local Church

The Local Church is a Grower Sponsor for the Walk for Good Food 2020 ($2,500) and a valued partner of Access of West Michigan. Pictured above is the 2019 Local Church Walk team (this year social distancing measures are put in place as we walk in our neighborhoods with our households). Thanks so much for your continued support, Local Church! We asked them to share with us about their mission, how COVID-19 has impacted them, and why they choose to support Access and the Walk for Good Food. We are so thankful for all they do for our community!  AWM: Please describe your […]

Walk for Good Food 2020: SECOM

Walk for Good Food 2020 Blog Series: In celebration of the Walk for Good Food, Access will be posting interviews with the non-profit organizations that are receiving funding from this years Walk. Read below about why Good Food (food that is healthy, fair, affordable, and green) is important to their work. Eight organizations receive funding from the Walk, each with their own important role to play in creating a thriving food system for all. To walk with us or learn more visit accessofwestmichigan.org/walk. AWM: Tell us a little bit about your organization: your mission and the work that you do. SECOM: […]

Walk for Good Food 2020: North End Wellness Coalition

Walk for Good Food 2020 Blog Series: In celebration of the Walk for Good Food, Access will be posting interviews with the non-profit organizations that are receiving funding from this years Walk. Read below about why Good Food (food that is healthy, fair, affordable, and green) is important to their work. Eight organizations receive funding from the Walk, each with their own important role to play in creating a thriving food system for all. To walk with us or learn more visit accessofwestmichigan.org/walk. AWM: Tell us a little bit about your organization: your mission and the work that you do. NEWC: […]

Walk for Good Food 2020 Sponsor: Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health is one of the Grower Sponsors ($2,500) for the Walk for Good Food 2020 and a long time valued partner of Access of West Michigan. In addition to their sponsorship, this year they have committed to an additional employee match up to $2,500. They are encouraging their employees to get out and Walk for Good Food! For every Spectrum Health employee who registers and tracks their support, Spectrum Health will donate an additional $1 per employee up to $2,500.  We asked Spectrum Health to share with us about their mission, services offered to the community, how COVID-19 has […]

Walk for Good Food 2020: Revive & Thrive Project

Walk for Good Food 2020 Blog Series: In celebration of the Walk for Good Food, Access will be posting interviews with the non-profit organizations that are receiving funding from this years Walk. Read below about why Good Food (food that is healthy, fair, affordable, and green) is important to their work. Eight organizations receive funding from the Walk, each with their own important role to play in creating a thriving food system for all. To walk with us or learn more visit accessofwestmichigan.org/walk. AWM: Tell us a little bit about your organization: your mission and the work that you do. R&T: […]

Walk for Good Food 2020: Our Kitchen Table

Walk for Good Food 2020 Blog Series: In celebration of the Walk for Good Food, Access will be posting interviews with the non-profit organizations that are receiving funding from this years Walk. Read below about why Good Food (food that is healthy, fair, affordable, and green) is important to their work. Eight organizations receive funding from the Walk, each with their own important role to play in creating a thriving food system for all. To walk with us or learn more visit accessofwestmichigan.org/walk. Access of West Michigan (AWM): Tell us a little bit about your organization: your mission and the […]

Walk for Good Food 2020: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Walk for Good Food 2020 Blog Series: In celebration of the Walk for Good Food, Access will be posting interviews with the non-profit organizations that are receiving funding from this years Walk. Read below about why Good Food (food that is healthy, fair, affordable, and green) is important to their work. Eight organizations receive funding from the Walk, each with their own important role to play in creating a thriving food system for all. To walk with us or learn more visit accessofwestmichigan.org/walk. Access of West Michigan (AWM): “Tell us a little bit about your organization: your mission and the work […]

Access’ Food Justice Training unites community toward common goal

Cultivating solutions to food insecurity is far from a single-organization job. It requires a community of activists for the good food system. On Tuesday, April 11, Access of West Michigan hosted the Food Justice Training event to promote greater awareness of “good food system” values. In attendance were 45 members and leaders of local organizations working together to work toward food security. Organizations represented included United Church Outreach Ministries, World Renew, United Way, Hope Farms, Kids’ Food Basket and many others. The morning began with a presentation on the definitions of food justice, food security and environmental sustainability. Jeff Smith from the […]

Making a difference on a Sunday afternoon stroll

Former executive director of Access of West Michigan celebrates the 40th Annual Hunger Walk by noting how change can happen in the context of a community. Marsha DeHollander is looking forward to joining with her community and being a part of Access 40th Annual Hunger Walk, for the 33rd time. But the Hunger Walk is just one of the many ways Grand Rapids native DeHollander has been involved in promoting a thriving food system. In fact, she was on staff at Access for 25 years. Prior, she helped start the food pantry at her church, Olivet Reformed Church in Grand […]

Feedback concert rocks out against poverty

The 23rd Annual Feedback Concert was a great success in raising a record $3,792 to cultivate equitable solutions to poverty. What do rock’n’roll and food security have to do with each other? On Sunday, April 9, they came together in an entertaining way. On a beautiful Sunday evening, Local Spins hosted the Feedback benefit concert supporting Access of West Michigan at Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids. The event featured great music from local bands of The Legal Immigrants, Conrad Shock and The Noise and The Honeytones. The 23rd annual concert also drew in a $5 donation upon entry to […]