DIAPER DEPOT

Diapers are expensive, and can NOT be purchased with Bridge cards (“Food Stamps”). One in three families in Kent County struggle to provide enough diapers for their little ones. Started in October 2012 by Ascension Lutheran, The Diaper Depot supplies low-income families of children age 3 & under with a package of diapers (per eligible child) each month, free of charge. In 2019 we had more than 400 children registered as eligible to receive diapers, though not everyone comes every month – only when their budgets are stretched too thin. We helped an average of 173 children each month and gave out nearly 600,000 diapers! During the pandemic, we continued to operate as a curb-side service, and are now back to normal operations. Our current 2022 numbers remain about the same – the need is still great! Since we began Diaper Depot, we have aided more than 3,000 children! The Depot is open twice each month, staffed entirely by volunteers, and operates entirely through donations & fundraising. If you know someone who might benefit from this ministry, click the link to see the Diaper Depot Distribution Dates & Times

FEEDING MINISTRIES

Many of our ministries focus on helping alleviate food insecurity. Each month we collect food and personal care items, which are then blessed and delivered to The Green Apple food pantry, located at 4307 Kalamazoo Ave SE. Each fall, we hold a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for the pantry – 2020 would have been the 16th annual dinner, but due to the pandemic, we held a “virtual” dinner & fundraiser, and then simply asked for special donations in 2021. But we look forward to resuming the Spaghetti Dinner in 2022! (It’s already been scheduled!) For 2019, The Green Apple estimated our food donations at a little over 4500 lbs., with an impact in excess of $10,000! We also have a monthly “noisy” loose change offering which goes to ACCESS of West Michigan, a faith-based organization working to provide solutions to the complex issues of poverty. Church members also regularly participate in ACCESS’ annual Walk for Good Food.

OTHER MINISTRIES

There are so many needs, and so many opportunities for us to be God’s hands in the community. Just a few of the things we do here at Two Churches: annual “Share-a-Christmas” and “Be a Santa to a Senior” gift/food collections; Two Churches Thankoffering donations to Lutheran Disaster Response & Episcopal Relief & Development; volunteers staff St. Mark’s Breakfast Cafe downtown feeding the homeless each month that has a “Fifth Saturday”; members participate in “Warm Up America” knitting/crocheting afghans to give to local children entering the foster care system; garden space (and water) are donated for use by a group of local Bhutanese refugees; trash clean-up on our street; preparing and serving meals for families temporarily housed at Grace Church.