Article published Nov.5 by Lansing State Journal
Nikali Luke, guest writer
Nikali Luke, board chair, Greater Lansing Food Bank
Forty years ago, layoffs during the recession of 1981 left many families in Greater Lansing facing financial uncertainty. Without a consistent income, they were left to pit one bill against the next — the rent against the heat against the gas — and, when push came to shove, the bills all lost out to food because everyone needs to eat.
The Greater Lansing Food Alliance, now known as Greater Lansing Food Bank, was born of our community’s commitment to take care of each other and a deep knowledge that hunger is hard, but when we come together, helping can be easy.
As Greater Lansing Food Bank marks it’s 40th year of service, one in six neighbors in mid-Michigan are facing food insecurity. In the past year and a half, the COVID-19 pandemic has once again put mounting stress and unpredictable challenges on our communities, challenges we have not seen before in our lifetimes.
Greater Lansing Food Bank has long surpassed the vision of founders Camille Abood, Patrick Babcock, David Hollister and William Long. Still sustained through the support of our communities, Greater Lansing Food Bank now distributes more than 8 million meals a year to tens of thousands of area residents facing food insecurity.
Hunger is still difficult to combat — it leaves neighbors choosing between food or utilities, healthy or cheaper food, medical care or meals. It makes it difficult for parents to focus on work, for kids to concentrate in school and for families to enjoy time together when they are worrying where their next meal will come from.
When you partner with Greater Lansing Food Bank this holiday season, the meals you provide can do so much more than just fill an empty stomach. They can offer hope. They can relieve anxiety. They can give your neighbors the memories that come with a shared meal. As you consider charitable giving this holiday season, we hope you’ll make the choice to support families facing hunger in mid-Michigan.
From our family and the team at Greater Lansing Food Bank, may you have a joyful and safe holiday season and a happy new year!