Kirtland's Successful Food Distribution Event

Kirtland's Successful Food Distribution Event with Food Bank of Eastern Michigan Serves 219 Households and 579 Individuals

By Kirtland Community College’s Communications and Marketing Department
 

GRAYLING, MICHIGAN (April 8, 2024) – Kirtland Community College’s recent collaboration with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has proven to be a monumental success, serving as a beacon of hope for the local community in times of need. The food distribution event, held on April 5 witnessed an overwhelming turnout and support, culminating in the distribution of food supplies to 219 households and 579 individuals.

“It’s amazing when you have so many members from Kirtland and the community come together to put on an event for a good cause,” said Kirtland’s Director of Student Housing and Life Derric Knight. “Everyone that came through the lines thanked us were really appreciative of what we were doing.”

Created to recognize social issues common in the region, Kirtland and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan joined forces to address food insecurity among the surrounding communities. With the shared mission of making a tangible difference in people's lives, both organizations spared no effort in orchestrating a seamless event that prioritized accessibility and inclusivity.

Volunteers for the event were comprised of Kirtland faculty, staff, and students, community members and local food banks, and representation from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. The volunteers worked together in the months leading up to the event, to provide a seamless and smooth distribution of food supplies. Creating an event that was not only open to the immediate county of Crawford, but the surrounding counties as well.

"I am incredibly proud of the collaborative efforts exhibited by our team and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan," said Kirtland’s Vice President of Student affairs and Registrar Michelle Vyskocil. "At Kirtland, we firmly believe in the power of community-driven initiatives, and this event serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those around us."

The distribution event featured an array of food items ranging from fresh produce to pantry staples, all provided by the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Attendees were greeted with warmth and empathy as they received their provisions, with volunteers offering words of encouragement and support to each individual and household.

"When we got the call, we couldn't wait to get this on the calendar! The event had some incredible volunteers and really emphasized our mission at the Food Bank,” said Food Bank of Eastern Michigan Regional Outreach Coordinator Katie Bondie. “Everyone left with smiles on their faces and food to put in their pantries back home. This event was a total success!"

The success of the food distribution event serves as a true testament to Kirtland’s promise in not only providing innovative educational opportunities to enhance the lives of their students, but also to provide support in enhancing the lives of the communities they serve.

“You can’t have Kirtland Community College without the ‘community’,” said Knight. “I think today was an amazing opportunity to give back to the communities we serve, and it was amazing to see so people take time out of their day to come help.”

Moving forward, Kirtland remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as a leader for positive change within the community, continuing to explore avenues for collaboration and innovation in the fight against social issues such as food insecurity. In light of the large success of the event, Kirtland aims to make this an annual project, with the possibility of hosting two food distribution events in future years to come.

For more information about Kirtland, please visit www.kirtland.edu

About the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, based in Flint, serves a network of nearly 600 hunger relief partners throughout 22 counties in Michigan, including Crawford. Our partners are made up of local non-profits and charitable organizations who run brick-and-mortar pantries, host mobile distributions, run soup kitchens and even shelters to address food insecurity across the region. The Food Bank is committed to fighting hunger and works to meet the rising need in our communities. For more information, please visit www.fbem.org

About Kirtland Community College

Kirtland Community College has been inspiring excellence for over 50 years and offers courses in Grayling, Gaylord, and online. Our mission at Kirtland is to provide innovative educational opportunities to enhance student lives and build stronger communities. Through our offered educational programs, we believe Kirtland will be the first choice for learner-centered education guiding students and communities toward success. For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit Kirtland.edu, or call (989) 275-5000.