We support, because we care.
Because your success is important to us, we are here to help you access GRCC and community resources so you can focus on your education, such as: Food, Utility Costs, Housing Costs, Housing Resources, Transportation (i.e bus passes, gas, etc.), Auto Repairs, Healthcare/Medical Needs, Tuition and Fees, Textbooks and School Supplies, Internet Access, SNAP benefits (food assistance), Childcare, etc.
Please fill out the GET HELP contact form and a staff member will be in contact with you.
GET HELP contact and Emergency Fund intake form
Student Food Pantry Intake Form Terms and Conditions
GRCC Resources
Grand Rapids Community College Student Government, the GRCC Foundation, and the Center for Student Life & Leadership are proud to offer the GRCC Student Food Pantry. This pantry is designed to meet the immediate food needs of its students on campus by providing a variety of free food items and basic necessities to students and their families. This has since expanded to multiple Snack Pantry locations, and has worked in partnership with Feeding America West Michigan, Plainsong Farm and the generous donations from community partners and GRCC faculty and staff.
GRCC is an equal opportunity provider.
Student Food Pantry & Food Distribution
The Student Food Pantry is open at the Center for Student Life & Leadership office for shopping. Please check in at the Center for Student Life & Leadership on the first floor of the Student Center during pantry hours.
Pantry Hours
- Mondays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesdays-Thursdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Fridays-Sundays: Closed
Students who are not on the main campus can request a grab-n-go bag from the Lakeshore Campus.
The Student Food Pantry Intake Form is available online or in the office.
Our Food and Snack Pantries rely on the community’s support to keep running. Donate now!
How to Access the Food Pantry
Eligibility
- Students that are enrolled in classes for the current semester may utilize the pantry. This includes the week their classes start as well as the week following their exams. If enrollment changes at any time during the academic semester, access to the pantry may be re-evaluated. The Student Food Pantry Intake Form must be completed once a semester during the semester they are enrolled.
- Students provide their valid RaiderCard (Student ID), which is held on to by front office staff while students shop.
- TEFAP eligibility verified each time a participant receives TEFAP
- TEFAP eligibility not dependent on student enrollment
What to Expect When Using the Pantry
- First Visits:
- After completing necessary intake forms you will receive two tote bags (one canvas and one thermal). Please bring back these bags for each visit.
- Note that only the student themselves may enter the pantry area and personal backpacks are not permitted into the pantry.
- Your student ID will be held on to by office staff until you are finished at the pantry.
- Returning Visits:
- Visits are limited to once per week.
- The pantry is considered “self-serve” with a limit to the student’s two designated bags. Students are asked to be considerate when selecting items, however most items do not have an enforced limit.
- Bringing extra bags is not permitted.
- Certain hygiene items such as diapers, wipes, laundry detergent, paper towels, etc. may be requested and are kept in a separate stocking area–these items are limited so that we can better serve all of our students.
- The pantry offers a variety of items such as non perishables, refrigerated and frozen foods, hygiene products, and baby items. These items vary throughout the year.
Types of items offered at the food pantry
- Non-perishables (examples: soup, noodles, rice, beans, cereal, side dishes, canned fruits and veggies, etc.).
- Refrigerated and frozen foods (examples: eggs, fresh produce, frozen meats, etc.).
- Hygiene items (examples: travel size shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, menstrual hygiene products, etc.).
- Baby items (examples: diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, etc.).
Snack Pantries
There are currently nine Snack Pantries on campus. The Snack Pantries provide grab-and-go food options for students and are maintained in partnership by Student Life and Conduct and various departments on campus. The Snack Pantries do not require registration, however availability may be subject to the offices' open hours of operation.
Snack Pantry locations
- English, 400 College Park Plaza
- Student Services, First Floor RJF
- Veterans Center, G2 RJF
- ATC - Computer Lab
- Sneden Hall, First Floor
- Tassell MTec
- Lakeshore Campus
- Student Center, Third Floor
Unsure where any of these locations are? Check our campus map!
Public Microwave Locations
The following microwave locations are available on-campus for public use. Do not leave your food unattended and please cover your food when reheating.
- ATC, 2nd Floor-Snack room by Foodology.
- Calkins Science Center, 1st Floor-Northwest atrium near the vending machines.
- Cook Hall, 1st Floor-Northwest student study area near College Park Plaza crosswalk.
- Lakeshore, 1st Floor-Learning commons near the vending machines and snack pantry.
- MTEC, 1st Floor-Atrium near the vending machines.
- RJF, 2nd Floor-near the vending machines and elevators.
- RJF, 4th Floor In the open seating space across from elevators.
- RJF, 5th Floor-West End student study area near the vending machines.
- RJF, G2 Winchester Ally by Subway.
- Student Center, 3rd Floor-Near the elevator and terrace entrance.
- Student Center, 2nd Floor outside of the Quiet Cafe.
- Sneden Hall (DeVos), 1st Floor-Sneden Cafe.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offers food assistance!
Please visit the MI Bridges/State Assistance landing page for more information. Students may apply through MIBridges. If you need assistance applying, please fill out the GetHelp intake form.
Community Resources
Byron Community Ministries
8250 Byron Creek Drive
Byron Center, Michigan 49315
(616) 878-6000
Free boxes of emergency food with items such as rice, meats, canned fruits, and more may be offered. The ministry may also have winter clothing for children or the homeless or refer families to social services in Kent County.
Holy Family Catholic Church
9669 Kraft Avenue SE
Caledonia, MI 49316
(616) 891-9259
Redeemer Covenant Church - Dutton Community Food Pantry
Address of pantry - Lower Level 6951 Hanna Lake Avenue
Caledonia, Michigan 49316
(616) 698-8001 for hours that food and meals are distributed.
Cedar Springs United Methodist Church
140 South Main Street
Cedar Springs, Michigan 49319
(616) 696-1140
A free food pantry and soup kitchen are at the church.
Settlement Lutheran Church -- Barrie's House
1031 South Johnson Road
Gowen, Michigan 49326
(616) 984-5442
There is a food bank on site. It can help children, single parents, and the less fortunate. Groceries, fresh food, fruits, and even basic household supplies may be passed out.
Access 6
2829 Thornapple River Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949-1360
This agency partners with many local churches, food pantries, and distribution centers across Kent County Michigan. They can also direct individuals and help them apply for social services.
Area Community Service Employment and Training Council – ACSET
This non-profit has several locations around Kent County and Grand Rapids. The listing of free food banks and pantries is below. They can also help people apply for SNAP food stamps or other aid from DHS.
- 1550 Leonard Street NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 Dial the office at (616) 336-4100
- 836 Fuller Avenue NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 (616) 336-7740
- Address - 1954 Fuller Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (616) 364-1104
- Location is 121 Franklin Street SE; Suite 110 Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Phone number - (616) 336-4000
- 215 Straight Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Food pantry phone number - (616) 336-4180
Baxter Community Center Address - Kent
935 Baxter Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506
(616) 456-8593
In addition to food, clothing, thrift store, and other aid they can direct individuals facing a hardship to programs for paying bills, rent, and other expenses.
Central Reformed Church
10 College Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-1773
Covenant Christian Reformed Church
7171 Willard Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 455-5120
Divine Care Food Pantry
4248 Kalamazoo Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 350-9104 to get hours of this food pantry.
Fruits, vegetables, and a listening ear is offered from staff. There may also be Christmas or Thanksgiving meals too.
East Leonard Christian Reformed Church
1027 Leonard Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-4444
Grace Christian Reformed Church
100 Buckley Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
(616) 452-8920 to reach the food pantry and to get hours.
Greater Deliverance Temple/ Apostolic Faith
900 Leonard NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church
940 Neland Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507
(616) 245-0669 for food, clothing, consultations, and advice.
Northwest Food Pantry And Resource Center Trinity Reformed Church
1224 Davis Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 451-4036
In addition to free food, other resources include clothing, information on Michigan emergency crisis programs, perishable items, meals, and shelter. Students can learn about free summer meals or snacks, and there is also information on congregate meals from Agency on Aging centers.
Saint Vincent De Paul Society
1314 South Division
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(616) 452-1408
St. Vincent of Kent County is a great place to call if faced with an emergency. Shelter, financial aid, and more is combined with emergency bags of groceries or a hot meal.
Salvation Army - Booth Family Services
1215 East Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 459-9468
A thrift store may have clothing, and a food pantry can feed the hungry and people in poverty. There are Easter Baskets, Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas dinners and gifts too. Other services include formula as well as case management and help in applying for SNAP food stamps. More on Salvation Army food assistance programs Kent County.
South United Methodist Church
4500 South Division
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 534-8931
The Other Way Ministries
710 West Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-6382
(616) 454-4011
Westminster Presbyterian Church Food Pantry
47 Jefferson Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-6115
Word of Faith Christian Center
3030 Eastern Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1321
(616) 827-0060
Dial for government surplus food, meals, thrift store, and more.
Senior Meals Program
2900 Wilson Avenue SW Suite 500
Grandville, MI 49418-1378
(616) 459-3111
The not for profit may be able to deliver free food, groceries, and meals to senior citizens and disabled across the county.
Mamrelund Lutheran Church
4085 Lutheran Church Road
Kent City, Michigan 49330
(616) 887-8874
Hot meals or lunches, clothing, winter attire, and more is available in Kent County.
The Pantry
4307 Kalamazoo Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508.
Phone number 616-455-9411
A variety of services are available. One is the Neighbors Choice Food Pantry, which provides free food at most onetime per month. Applicants need to bring documents required include a picture ID and piece of mail for each family member. There is also a Fresh Market program, which gives low-cost, locally grown fresh produce to those who self-declare they are 300% or below the poverty level. This market takes SNAP/EBT and participates in Double Up Food Bucks’ Clients with verified health conditions can use the Nutritional Options For Wellness (NOW) Pantry, which is available once per week however clients need to have been referred by a physician and participate in goal setting and educational programs.
Flat River Outreach Ministries
11535 East Fulton
Lowell, Michigan 49331
(616) 897-8260
Lean on Me Outreach Center
11555 Edgerton
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 866-3999 for food.
Also, may offer referrals to other charities and churches in the region.
North Kent Community Services
10075 Northland Drive NE
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 866-3478
A leading non-profit for the unemployed and low income to turn too.
Family Network
1029 44th Street SW
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
(616) 885-9919
Several programs for families are offered, everything from food to limited financial assistance for groceries, meals, and other household items such as clothing.
Find Additional Resources
Please consider some of the other options available to you on the GetHelp webpage as well as various options near you. The Find Help site can help you find resources and other free or reduced cost programs depending on your need, and United Way – 211 is another option that connects people to more than 2,900 services.