On Sunday, December 19th, Guiding Light held our Christmas Grab and Go event from 11am to 1:30pm. Several volunteers, along with Guiding Light Kitchen Director Allen Holt, were able to cook and distribute 227 meals for local men, women, and children.
We were also able to supply warm coats, hats, and gloves for those in need. Having the opportunity to help anyone and everyone in need throughout Heartside is something all of us at Guiding Light, take great pride and joy in being able to orchestrate.
“We received 147 spiral hams, about 50 pounds of green beans and corn, and about 100 pounds of vegetables,” according to Allen. “We were able to feed all these wonderful people in our community that needed a warm meal for Christmas. It was a nice day and it was beautiful outside, we couldn’t have asked God for better weather. A lot of people actually showed up and everyone got fed. There’s not a lot of leftovers and what we did have left we took over across the street to God’s Kitchen to make sure they can keep feeding more of those in need. All in all I would say today was a great success for Guiding Light and for the community outside.”
As Guiding Light Kitchen Director, Allen is able to procure tens of thousands of pounds of donated food from various local organizations every month. In addition to feeding the men living at Guiding Light, we also coordinate with charitable organizations throughout West Michigan to feed their congregations, clients, and constituencies. It is not an exaggeration to say that throughout 2021, Guiding Light has been able to help feed hundreds of thousands of people out there struggling.
Now, more than ever, it is not a time for our community to be disconnected. At Guiding Light, we view synergy and collaboration with private, non-profit, and faith-based organizations as essential to our mission and to the greater good. We recognize that we are all in this together, and that we need to work closely to make sure everyone in our community has access to resources, shelter, and hope to make it through the winter. We would like to thank all the organizations out there, such as the congregation from Georgetown CRC, for making this possible and working with us to do what is best for those less fortunate throughout West Michigan. In the spirit of cooperation, it is great to know that we are united in a common partnership to help those in need, especially today. We would also like to thank all our donors, volunteers, and advocates for all of your support through these uncertain times. Now, more than ever, it is important to stand by those in your community that need assistance. Thank you so much and God bless.
