Partnership with Purpose, Isabella Community Soup Kitchen

Isabella Community Soup Kitchen

Isabella Community Soup Kitchen is “sharing a warm meal for a better community.”

A simple vision with a profound impact on the neighbors they serve. A partner organization of Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB), Isabella Community Soup Kitchen (ICSK) provides free breakfast and lunch in a warm, safe environment where all are welcome.

“We are here for anyone who needs support,” ICSK Director, Sara Schafer, shares, “We are here to be a safety net and gathering place for our community.”

“And we don’t just serve soup!” She adds, “We are serving restaurant quality meals Monday through Friday.”

Walmart and Sam’s Club are two partners who are helping ICSK share these warm and delicious meals. GLFB was able to connect ICSK to these local retailers for food pickup thanks to Walmart and Sam’s Club’s close partnership with Feeding America’s network of food banks. Now, ICSK has been picking up food donations from their local store and club four days a week for almost ten years and using the food they receive in the meals they prepare for neighbors.

“We would not be able to operate without the support we receive from Sam’s Club and Walmart, being able to pick up donations directly from the stores has allowed us to create high quality meals for our guests,” says Sara.

In 2022 alone, Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in our service area donated more than 700,000 meals to GLFB to be redistributed to neighbors facing hunger in mid-Michigan.

Now through May 8th, when you participate in the Walmart and Sam’s Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, you too can help neighbors facing hunger gain access to the food and resources they need to thrive. There are three easy ways to support neighbors in need.

  • At mid-Michigan stores, for every participating product purchased in store, in club or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com, the supplier will make a monetary donation to GLFB.
  • Donate at check-out in stores or clubs, or round up at Walmart.com.
  • Donate at Feeding America’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign donation site at either www.FeedingAmerica.org/Walmart or www.FeedingAmerica.org/SamsClub.

Thank you to all who participate, when we partner with a purpose, we can share meals with neighbors across mid-Michigan!