DETROIT – Comerica Bank and the Grand Rapids Griffins are teaming up over the next six weeks to help score Kids’ Food Basket’s (KFB) goal of reducing food insecurity among children and families in the community with nourishing and healthy food.
The community food drive began Monday and runs through Saturday, Nov. 1. The public can participate by donating requested food items at participating Comerica banking centers in the West Michigan region.
“Kids’ Food Basket makes a difference in West Michigan every day through its passionate commitment to reduce childhood hunger and support families in our communities,” said Debra Hanes, Comerica Bank Senior Vice President and Retail Regional Director. “Our partnership with the Grand Rapids Griffins illustrates how teamwork focused on a mission to help uplift others can profoundly impact the outreach of purpose-driven organizations like Kids’ Food Bank and strengthen its ability to serve those in need.”
This is the third year Comerica and the Grand Rapids Griffins have joined forces to support Kids’ Food Basket, and this year’s drive continues both the bank’s and the Griffins’ commitment to supporting philanthropic initiatives designed to empower and positively impact the community.
“With an incredibly meaningful mission, Kids’ Food Basket partnered with Comerica continues to have a remarkable impact on West Michigan kids and their families” said Bob Kaser, vice president of broadcasting for the Griffins and board member for KFB. “Couple that with Griffins fans who share our organization’s passion for doing good in the community, and we anticipate what will be a highly successful food drive.”
Donations and Grand Rapids Griffins Tickets
The Comerica and Grand Rapids Food Drive is seeking donations for Kids’ Food Basket’s Wish List that includes any brand of fruit cups or pouches, pretzels, pudding cups, cheese crackers, meat sticks and cheerios. KFB is asking community members to avoid donating canned goods or any item that requires heat preparation.
For every five donated items, supporters will receive a ticket voucher to a future Grand Rapids Griffins game.
Commitment to Reducing Childhood Food Insecurity
According to The Annie E. Casey Foundation, over 1.42 million people in Michigan are food insecure and more than 41,000 children under the age of 18 face food insecurity in Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon and Kent counties.
Kids’ Food Basket, for the past 23 years, has been driven to transform the communities it supports by developing customized programs and initiatives that break down barriers to accessible and nourishing food.
“This year, we are serving more meals than ever before as the need increases in our community,” said KFB VP of Philanthropy Tamara VanderArk-Potter. “This partnership between Comerica, the Griffins and KFB is a hat trick of an opportunity where local kids win.”
Comerica Donation Locations
Community members can drop off donations at eleven Comerica banking centers in seven West Michigan communities, including:
Grand Rapids
- Campau Square: 99 Monroe Ave. NW; Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Cascade: 6511 28th Street SE; Grand Rapids, MI 49546
- Four Mile-Alpine: 857 Four Mile Rd; Grand Rapids, MI 49544
- Plainfield: 4065 Plainfield Ave. NE; Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Grandville
- Grandville: 4480 Wilson Ave; Grandville, MI 49418
Kentwood
- 52nd-Kalamazoo: 5135 Kalamazoo SE; Kentwood, MI 49508
- Woodland Mall: 3215 28th Street SE; Kentwood, MI 49512
Muskegon
Eastside-Muskegon: 2133 E. Apple Ave; Muskegon, MI 49442
Muskegon Heights
- Muskegon Heights: 2730 Sanford; Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
North Muskegon
- Northside: 414 Center St; North Muskegon, MI 49445
Norton Shores
- Norton Shores: 875 W. Norton Ave; Norton Shores, MI 49441
