Coronavirus Response: The Green Apple Pantry

From The Green Apple Pantry’s Facebook Page: Karen Chaffee at work in the pantry.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, food pantries like The Green Apple have seen an increase in demand for their services. The Green Apple is one of the many local agencies receiving funding from the Coronavirus Response Fund at Heart of West Michigan United Way to ensure they can meet the need in our community.

Two weeks ago, an elderly woman phoned The Green Apple, saying she was out of food and needed help. The woman was not one of The Green Apple’s regular clients. In fact, she had never sought help from a food pantry before. Partially blind, the woman didn’t drive. She had no one she could reach out to for help.

Before contacting The Green Apple, the woman had given a neighbor some money to venture out to buy groceries for her. But a few days had passed and the neighbor had not returned. The woman was out of money and out of food.

The team at The Green Apple packed a box of food and delivered it to her. A short while later, she called Nancy Cromley, the pantry’s executive director, crying, to say thank you.

Local agencies like The Green Apple are also there for people who aren’t eligible for public assistance programs. Recently, the pantry was able to pack 15 boxes of food for a group of undocumented neighbors. Undocumented immigrants aren’t eligible for food assistance or unemployment benefits, and they won’t receive payments through the CARES Act like other residents, even though many perform work deemed “essential” in agriculture, manufacturing, and the service industry.

“We are grateful for the great blessings received from you,” said one of the neighbors who brought the need to the pantry’s attention and distributed the food. “It is our pleasure to serve and when God puts people like you on our path, he shows us his mercy to extend it to others. God save you and bless you.”

Nancy says demand for The Green Apple’s services has doubled since the outbreak began. Her team has been reporting to work to make sure they can serve their neighbors. She says the grant money is allowing them to keep up with the need.

“As hard as it is not to shelter in place, we are necessary,” Nancy says. “My staff is doing valuable work for this community.”

From The Green Apple Pantry’s Facebook Page: Boxes of food, ready to be delivered.