Their Mission
Partner to alleviate hunger one meal at a time, to create a future where everyone has access to nourishing food

What do they do at the Greater Lansing Food Bank?
We feed people. We make certain that everyone in our community has access to nutritious food, because we can all agree, that no one should ever go hungry in our community.

Where does GLFB get food?
The food bank gets food from retailers, the USDA, food producers, purchased goods and from food drive donations.

Who do they serve?
Everyone at risk, because hunger does not discriminate. We provide emergency food to families and children and retirees and veterans who have served our country. We serve people who look just like you and me. We help people to perform better at work and school and at home, because food is a basic need. Remember, that no one ever plans to be hungry.

Adventure Gives Involvement
We've partnered with GLFB to work with them as volunteers helping with anything from fundraising events to sorting food.

To learn more or get involved with GLFB visit: https://greaterlansingfoodbank.org

Mission
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and Lansing bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

Vision
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

MOTIVATION:
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and Lansing seek to be a partner and catalyst in building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

METHOD: Bringing people together
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County & Lansing believe that no one lives in dignity until everyone can live in dignity. When the broad community is engaged in addressing the urgent need for adequate, affordable housing, we all become less vulnerable and more resilient. In bringing people together, Habitat Kent practices a philosophy of “a hand up, not a handout,” and builds on existing community assets: financial, physical, natural, human, social and spiritual.

IMPACT: Homes, communities and hope
In seeking truly transformed communities, Habitat Kent & Lansing views bringing people together not only as a way to deliver a product—improved housing—but as an essential process for building hope and believe that healthier communities are achievable and beneficial for all. When we work together, statistics become faces with names, stereotypes are broken, and everyone has the opportunity both to give and receive. Only then is lasting change likely to occur.

Adventure Gives Involvement
We have set up dates throughout the year to go and help build homes, change lives, and transform our community.

To learn more or get involved with Habitat for Humanity of Kent county visit: http://www.habitatkent.org/ or www.habitatcr.org for Habitat for Humanity of Lansing

MISSION
To promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals in West Michigan & Lansing through education, example, placement and protection.

VISION
To build a more compassionate community where all animals are given the care they deserve.

Adventure Gives Involvement
We've partnered with both the West Michigan & Capital Region Humane Societies to not only donate money but also our time helping with weeding, painting, laundry and general cleaning of their facilities throughout the year.

To learn more or get involved with the Humane Society of West Michigan visit: http://www.hswestmi.org or https://cahs-lansing.org for the Capital Region Humane Society.

The mission of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is to empower people to cultivate vibrant parks, trees, and green spaces in the Grand Rapids community. Our vision is thriving parks and a sustainable urban forest that actively supports our community’s economic, environmental, and cultural health.

Our organization was founded in 2008, with the belief that all kids in our community are entitled to experiences in parks and opportunities to connect with nature. For some children in our community, their neighborhood park is their backyard; a place to discover their hidden talents and a place to build confidence in trying new things.

Great cities have great parks, and FGRP asserts that every resident in our community deserves to live within walking distance of a safe and beautiful public green space.

FGRP, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, aims to meet the goals of the city’s Master Plan by working with community members to create stewards for parks and trees. Our volunteer program connects thousands of residents with opportunities to beautify a park or plant a tree each year.

We accomplish this through park events that bring people together. At many events, our staff gathers input from residents to elevate their voice in community revitalization, change misconceptions about green spaces and community parks, and to build healthy and active communities in the communal space that the park provides.

From 2008 to 2018, contributions to FGRP have mobilized 14,000 volunteer hours for tree planting and park beautification, trained 90 volunteer neighborhood foresters, and activated 64 park and tree focused events every year.

How We Make a Difference

Lowering the numbers: 1 in 5 Michigan children are affected by hunger and thousands of West Michigan children are food insecure—they can’t count on having access to good, nourishing food every day.

Providing nutrition to fuel healthy development: Consistent, nutritious meals support cognitive development and help children focus by meeting critical health needs.  With healthy calories we can lessen the risk of conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Healthy calories also help children avoid behavioral issues such as irritability, aggression and anxiety.

Breaking the cycle of poverty: Hunger is both a symptom and a cause of poverty—and should not be a barrier to success. Nourished children can perform better in school, which leads to greater academic achievement and more opportunities.

Building strong community: The entire community benefits as the issues caused by childhood hunger are improved and more children learn and live well. Connecting people who have a wide variety of perspectives and experiences harness the power of diversity and help our collective work stay impactful with lasting benefits.