Kids’ Food Basket expands reach

Kids’ Food Basket expands reach

Courtesy Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation

A nonprofit that provides meals to needy children is expanding its program.

Kids’ Food Basket is piloting its program into Allegan County, following a $130,000 donation from the Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation, according to Afton DeVos, the nonprofit’s chief operating officer.

The first $30,000 of the gift will go toward programming in Ottawa County to sustain 900 students this academic year at six schools and sites.

The additional $100,000 will go toward the expansion.

DeVos said the organization is piloting 50 meals at Pullman Elementary School starting April 8.

DeVos said 14 percent of Allegan County children are considered food insecure, and they are much more spread out than in the other counties serviced by Kids’ Food Basket.

The pilot will give the organization a chance to learn how to adapt the program for a rural community and determine which schools most need the services, she said. The existing operations are in more urban settings in Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

The pilot will be based at its existing location in Ottawa County, where there will be additional volunteer shifts added to prepare and pack those meals for Allegan students, DeVos said.