Nonprofit purchases Muskegon facility, expands operations

Nonprofit

Jan 30

Kids’ Food Basket (KFB) will increase service to Muskegon County through the purchase and renovation of a new, permanent facility. This January, KFB closed on the property at 2330 Barclay St. The organization anticipates fully moving into the facility, which is eight times larger than its current rented space in Muskegon, by summer 2025.

In 2021 and 2022, KFB hosted 10 Muskegon community listening sessions to understand the barriers to healthy food access for Muskegon residents and welcome input into desired programming. The expansion directly responds to these listening sessions, in which residents voiced a need for increased food access and community spaces in Muskegon County.

“For many years, we have heard from our Muskegon neighbors about the need for expanded KFB services on the lakeshore,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, President and Founding CEO, Kids’ Food Basket. “We are endlessly grateful for the rented spaces that have allowed us to serve the area for 13 years, but our capacity has been limited. This new, owned facility represents a deepened commitment to our community as we work toward a Muskegon County where every child not only has consistent access to good food, but also education about where it comes from and why it’s important.”

This move will allow for a fall 2025 increase of 300 daily Sack Suppers, which are healthy evening meals for children delivered directly to schools, with an anticipated additional increase as capacity is evaluated during the school year.

Today, about 62% of the total student population in Muskegon County qualify as economically disadvantaged (formally known as qualified for free or reduced lunch) based on household income, and of those who qualify, only 12.6% receive Sack Suppers. This move provides the lasting flexibility to continue the much-needed expansion of KFB meal services.

“The work that KFB does is invaluable to my district and our children,” said Matt Cortez, Superintendent, Muskegon Public Schools. “KFB gives our students the nutrition they need to continue their pathway forward to success. The growth that’s coming is going to be huge for Muskegon Public Schools as they expand further into Muskegon County.”

Once renovated, the new facility will also host cooking lessons and demonstrations, community gatherings, and hands-on education about nutrition and agriculture, mirroring opportunities that have proven successful at KFB properties in Kent and Ottawa counties.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 25 at 11 a.m. at the Barclay St. property. This event will be open to the press, legislators, and donors to the Feeding our Future Campaign for Muskegon Children.

KFB is currently seeking additional funding to complete this much-needed project. The organization has a fundraising goal of $3.3 million to make this vision a reality. To make a gift, visit https://kidsfoodbasket.org/mk-feeding-our-future/.