Businesses give back to unemployed

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Many West Michigan businesses are hoping to make a difference in the lives of those unemployed and looking for work.

Spartan stores are offering help to unemployed UAW workers by doling out hundreds of Proud Cards, which give a 10 percent discount on groceries and a 3 percent discount on fuel.

In addition, Meijer stores are handing out gift cards to food pantries across Michigan.

One woman who asked to remain anonymous said it is a struggle to get by as a single parent, and that receiving help would make a huge difference.

"I get food stamps, but it's not enough," she said, a mother of three who is one of many looking for a job.

She spoke with a 24 Hour News 8 reporter at the North Kent Service Center on Monday.

"(I feel) worthless, I guess, not like a good parent," she said. "I mean, I do the best I can for my kids, but they're not, they don't want more things, but I see what more they could have... that I can't give them."

North Kent Service Center not only helps families put food on their tables, but it provides clothing and assistance with some bills, said Sandy Waite, the executive director at the pantry.

The center needs all the help it can receive in order to help people, she said.

"We will be receiving a 100 $10 gift certificates, so that's $1000 in gift certificates," Waite said.

Meijer will distribute almost 19,000 gift cards to the food pantries.

The need is higher than ever, Waite said.

"In 2002, we gave about 320,000 pounds of food," Waite said. "In 2008, we gave out 749,000 pounds of food ... and we are either on record this year to break that, or be right around that same amount of food this year."

The number of people who need assistance continues to increase.

"These are the families that we're seeing come through the door," Waite said. "These are the families who are saying, 'I never thought I'd have to use a food pantry.' "

The UPS Store in Kentwood is offering help, too.

"On Mondays only, we're offering free copying service of resumes only up to five pages," said Rusty Williams, the store owner. "If you're unemployed, it actually takes money to get employed again," Williams said. "So, it's a small relief we can offer."

If you have an idea or tip on how to save money, e-mail 24 Hour News 8.

Here are the food pantries receiving the Meijer gift cards:

John Knox Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, 4150 Kalamazoo SE
LOVE INC, 2525 Hall Road
St Mary's Activity Center, 423 1st St NW
Comstock Community Center, 6330 King Highway
Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, 448 Burdick
Food Movers, 2116 Mint
Holt Food Bank, PO Box 577
Haslett Community Church, 1427 Haslett Road
Mel Trotter Ministries, 225 Commerce Ave. SW
Food Gatherers/Gleaners, PO Box 131037
Our Lady of Gaudalupe, 2316 West Coldwater Road
Beulah Land Christian Center, 3345 South Genesee Road
Together We Can Make A Difference, 224 W. Wilkens
Tri-City Christian Center, 3855 Sheldon Road
Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings St.
Carol's Cupboard, 2225 E 14 Mile Road
Fish & Loaves, 25670 Northline
Byron Center Ministries Local Food Pantry, 8250 Byron Center Ave.
Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency, 185 East Main
Old Town Soup Kitchen/ Christian Outreach Center, 600 Gratiot Road
East Side Saginaw Soup Kitchen, 904 E Genesse Ave.
Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, 2312 Lapeer Road
The Daily Bread, 302 S. Tecumseh St.
Gleaners Community Food Bank, 5924 Sterling Road
Community Action House, 665 136th Ave.
Salvation Army Food Pantry, 401 10th St.
Thornapple Evangelical Church , 6595 Cascade Road
Greater Lansing Food Bank, 5303 S. Cedar
Lighthouse, 46156 Woodward Ave.
Northville Civic Concern, 42951 7 Mile Road
Sterling Heights Food Pantry, 40555 Utica Road
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1505 West Michigan Ave.
Holiday Helpers, 1598 Parke St.
St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 21201 13 Mile Road
Food Gatherers, 1 Carrot Way
Macomb Food Program, 21885 Dunham Road Suite 10
Stewart Road Christian Ministries Center, 1199 Stewart Road
Salvation Army, 2300 Venoy
Soup Kitchen, PO Box 872
Woodhaven Senior Citizens Food Pantry, 23101 Hall Road
St. Paul Episcopal Church Food Pantry, 1006 3rd St.
Belleville First United Methodist Church, 417 Charles St.
St. Mary’s Church - Food Pantry St. Vincent, 50903 Maria St.
Salvation Army Food Pantry, 330 Waldo
Hospitality House, PO Box 284
Shiawassee Hunger Network, 120 W. Exchange St. 204
Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, 448 North Burdick St.
Church of the Holy Family, 24505 Meadowbrook Road
Blessed Hope, 1706 Fort St.
Lapeer Interfaith Community Association, 1220 W Davison Lake Road
St. Ephrem Church , 38900 Dodge Park Road
Northend Community Ministries, 214 Spencer
St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 805 Chestnut St.
Shepherd's Table, 125 Stimson St.
Gleaners Community Food Bank, 5924 Sterling Road
Food-Gatherers, PO Box 131037
Mason CACS, 407 North Cedar St.
Emergency Care Network Inc., PO Box 523
Samaritan House, 58944 Van Dyke
Branch Area Food Pantry, 22 Pierson St.
Love INC , 1106 Fulton
Lighthouse of Oakland County, 46156 Woodward Ave.
Salvation Army, 401 10th St.
City Mission, 20405 Schoolcraft
Christian Neighbors, 218 S Farmer St.
St. Simon Food Pantry, 702 E. Bryant Road
Siren Eaton Shelter, 245 S Cochran Ave.
North East Neighborhood Food Pantry, 342 Capital Ave. NE
South County Community Services, 101 South Main St.
Oxford-Orion FISH, PO Box 732
John Knox Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Montcalm Area Food Pantries, 904 Oak Drive
Project Starburst, 120 S. State St.
George T. Godwin Community Center Food Pantry, 3935 Moorsville Road
Flat River Outreach Ministries, 11535 E Fulton
Blessed Hope Food Pantry, 1706 Fort St.
Clinton County Open Food Distribution Project, PO Box 260
Manna's Market, Inc., 8520 Coats Grove Road
CARE of Birch Run, 12400 Church St.
First Grandville Food Pantry, 3060 Wilson
His Harvest Stand, 100 South Pine
Byron Center United Methodist Church, 2490 Prescott SW
St. Dennis Parish Food Pantry, 1515 Stephenson Highway
North Kent Service Center, 10075 Northland Drive
White Lake Twp Office, 7525 Highland Road
St. Vincent De Paul Blue Water Food Depot, 1505 Ballentine
Forgotten Harvest, 21800 Greenfield Road
LOVE INC of Muskegon, 2525 Hall Road
Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 6442 Pelham Road
Warren Good Fellows, 32632 Revere Drive
Richmond Community Food Pantry, 68035 Main St,
Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team, 20415 Erin
Outreach East, PO Box 61
North Kent Service Center, 10075 Northand Drive
Friendship Shelter, 7163 Old 27S, PO Box 2048
Zion Community Food Pantry, 423 W Washington St.
Northend Community Ministry, 214 Spencer NE
Community Action Agency, 110 Green St.