From Homelessness to Hope: The local impact of the Salvation Army's food pantry
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Across the country, communities are struggling to combat the growing issue of homelessness.
The number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024 was the highest ever recorded, according to a report done by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
That’s why Sinclair and the Salvation Army are coming together to launch Sinclair Cares: From Homeless to Hope, an initiative diving into the nationwide homelessness crisis and raising awareness for services that provide life-changing services.
“Our mission is to serve without discrimination and help the community heal,” Salvation Army Administrator Ronnie Amick said. “We like to offer love and hope, without discrimination, to all people who walk through our doors.”
Homelessness is a prevalent problem throughout Kalamazoo County, according to Amick, and one that he has only seen worsen over time.
- Sinclair Cares: From Homeless to Hope
Thinking back to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amick said as prices began to increase, so did the number of people struggling.
“All of our products that we need to survive, everything from groceries to energy to gas, people are having to choose whether they buy those or pay their rent,” Amick said.
As the community navigates those difficult decisions, one of the ways the Salvation Army is providing support and stability is through their food pantry.
The pantry offers a wide range of products, including: meat, pasta, vegetables, peanut butter, refreshments, and personal care items.
So far, the food pantry has already served more than 3,000 people during the first six months of the fiscal year, most of which are families with children.
“It doesn't matter if you're homeless or not. We offer that to give a hand up to anybody that needs it,” Amick said. “It's not much, but anything we could do to help them get back up on their feet is wonderful to do.”
The gesture is met with all kinds of reactions from recipients, with some even being brought to tears, Amick said.
It’s a testament to the difference the food pantry has made in people’s lives– keeping their hearts and stomachs full.
“They have to struggle to figure out where they're going to get the resources that they need to survive, and that's everything from water to food to where to sleep at night,” Amick said. “If we can just fill in the gap for the food part, it's our honor to do that.”
For those in the community looking for ways to help, Amick said the best way to do so is by donating to the food pantry or volunteering during the week, helping to hand out food bags.