"One Friday I was discreetly putting the food into the lockers at school when I heard a child’s voice behind me, ‘Are you an angel?’ The question took my breath away and as I looked behind me to see who it was, he continued. ‘You are an angel. Me and my family love the food you give us. Thank you!’ That quickly, he ran down the hallway and out the door for recess. It was then I realized how impactful Hand2Hand is for children who need the hands of the community supporting them.”  - Tracy, Volunteer

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recently examined 60 food-insecure children to understand their emotions. The following themes emerged*:

• They worry about their parents’ well-being
• They experience anger, frustration, anxiety, and sadness about not having enough food
• They feel embarrassed about their family’s food situation
• They perceive strain on the family’s dynamics due to food insecurity. 

*Feeding America West Michigan

To feed more hungry kids: Schools continue to reach out to partner with Hand2Hand. We cannot grow if we do not have space for additional food storage. Hand2Hand currently feeds 8,007 students, ages 3-18, through the school year and extended breaks, equating to approximately 80,070 food items each week, or over 3 million items each school year. Our donated space from Sound Off Signal is appreciated, but the need for more space is required to reach more kids!

We can potentially double in size within five years with our warehouse, adding 200 additional schools to feed and pray for approximately 10,000 more students.

To unite our community in a central location and establish our presence in West Michigan: Hand2Hand is a grassroots organization with over 6,000 passionate volunteers. Our warehouse will allow us to grow community engagement and offer a welcoming environment to individuals, businesses, schools, and churches. Our warehouse will provide us with flexibility and creativity to attract and develop more passionate volunteers and donors, which will help us reach our vision of eliminating weekend child hunger in West Michigan. Examples are community packing events, church partner trainings, child hunger awareness events, and volunteer appreciation events.

To grow our efficiency and effectiveness as our offices and warehouse join in one location: Although Hand2Hand has been highly successful, a warehouse will allow for maximum impact. Many in West Michigan have never heard about our mission’s influence.

“I don’t know where I’m sleeping this weekend, but at least I have food.” - High School Student 

WE DREAM of community connecting packing events, as we reach all students in West Michigan who experience weekend hunger.

WE DREAM about increased efficiency and effectiveness as a team while growing and maintaining Hand2Hand under one roof.

Finally, WE DREAM of training new church partners, growing our volunteer base, and inspiring others as they witness the Hand2Hand miracles and multiplication that God performs.