IM Kids 3rd Meal

06/18/2026

Today was a BIG day for IM Kids 3rd Meal!

With the help of an incredible team of volunteers, we successfully moved our food inventory, shelves, equipment, carts, tables, and freezers into storage as we work to finalize the details of our future permanent home.

What could have been a very challenging task became manageable because so many people stepped up to help.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who donated their time, trucks, muscles, and energy to make this move possible. We are especially grateful to the volunteers, families, community members, and students who worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure everything was moved safely and efficiently.

IM Kids 3rd Meal has always been a community effort, and today was a wonderful reminder of what can be accomplished when people come together to support local children and families.

We could not have done it without you. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us take this exciting next step. We look forward to sharing more updates about our future home as plans continue to move forward!

06/10/2026

IM Kids 3rd Meal would like to express sincere appreciation to Vogue Home Furnishings for organizing a peanut butter & jelly drive in June & July. Let's come together to support their initiative to collect peanut butter & jelly. You can contribute by dropping off the items during normal hours. We're grateful for your help!

06/09/2026

🚨 **Please Take 5 Minutes to Help IM Kids 3rd Meal!** 🚨

Our one-time capital appropriation request is still being considered as state budget negotiations continue. This funding would help us secure a permanent home and continue serving 800-850 food-insecure students each day.

Please contact the budget negotiators and ask them to support funding for IM Kids 3rd Meal.

📧 Senator Sarah Anthony – [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
📧 Senator Dayna Polehanki – [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
📧 Representative Matt Hall – [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
📧 Representative Pat Outman – [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
📧 Senator Rick Outman – [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
📧 Representative Gina Johnsen – [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

**Sample Message:**
"I support funding for IM Kids 3rd Meal's one-time capital appropriation request. The program provides evening meals to hundreds of food-insecure children each day and is making a significant impact in our communities."

Thank you for helping us ensure no child goes hungry.

06/09/2026

I am incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized as a Friend to Education.

This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the many volunteers, school partners, donors, board members, and community supporters who have made IM Kids 3rd Meal possible. Together, we have worked to ensure that children have access to nutritious evening meals so they can focus on learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.

Since 2014, IM Kids 3rd Meal has provided more than 1 million meals to food-insecure students across our region. Every meal represents a child who knows where their next meal is coming from and a community that cares.

Thank you to Delta Kappa Gamma for this meaningful recognition and for your commitment to supporting education and the success of all students. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our communities and look forward to continuing this important work.

06/04/2026

Thank You, Belding City Council!

On June 2, 2026, the Belding City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting IM Kids 3rd Meal and our request for a $500,000 one-time capital appropriation from the State of Michigan.

We are grateful for the Council's recognition of the importance of addressing childhood food insecurity and their support of our mission to ensure that no child goes hungry.

Since 2014, IM Kids 3rd Meal has:
🥪 Provided 1,019,246 meals to children experiencing food insecurity
👥 Engaged 32,263 volunteers
⏰ Benefited from 60,365 volunteer hours
🏫 Served children throughout Ionia County, Montcalm County, and portions of Kent County

Today, we provide nutritious evening meals to 800–850 children each school day through our school and community partnerships.

The proposed capital appropriation would help us establish a permanent home for the program, increase our capacity to serve children, and strengthen our ability to meet the growing need for years to come.

Thank you to the Mayor and members of the Belding City Council for your leadership, support, and commitment to the children and families we serve.

Together, we are building a stronger, healthier community where every child has access to nutritious food.

06/02/2026

Kudos to Ethan & Kris for their invaluable support on their day off, paving the way for a stress-free moving experience by getting our storage area all set!

05/23/2026

🌟 Celebrating Our Incredible Volunteers at IM Kids 3rd Meal! 🌟

As we wrap up the school year, we want to take a moment to recognize the amazing volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to serve the final meals of the season. Your commitment to ensuring that children in our community receive nutritious meals has made a profound impact!

Thank you for your hard work, compassion, and unwavering support. You are the heart of IM Kids 3rd Meal, and your efforts help nourish not just bodies, but also spirits! Together, we are building a stronger, healthier community, one meal at a time.

Let's celebrate the difference you make every day! 💖🍽️

05/22/2026

Since 2014, IM Kids 3rd Meal has been committed to ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry — and together, our community has made an incredible impact. 💙

Since the program began, we have:

🍽 Delivered 1,019,246 meals to children facing food insecurity
🙋‍♀️ Engaged 32,263 volunteers
⏰ Received 60,365 volunteer hours of service

These numbers represent far more than meals and hours. They represent children who had dinner when they otherwise may have gone without, volunteers who chose to give their time to help others, and a community that continues to stand together to support local children and families.

Every meal packed, every donation made, and every volunteer hour has helped make this possible.

Thank you to our volunteers, school partners, donors, businesses, and supporters who have walked alongside us throughout this journey. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of children across our region.

05/21/2026