Food Pantry
We provide for our neighbors by offering healthy food options to help stretch the grocery bill a little further. Residents of Otsego, Plainwell, and Martin school districts can shop the food pantry once per calendar month and receive enough food for three meals each day for five days. When available, diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products, some cleaning supplies, and over the counter medications can also be selected. Check our service hours for when you can come.
Who Qualifies for Our Food Pantry?
Anyone in our service area who is in need of assistance qualifies. We do not discriminate. We’re eager to help you move towards stability, so please contact us with any questions, or just show up during our service hours!
We serve the residents of Otsego, Plainwell, and Martin school districts including Alamo, Cooper and Watson townships. Our address is 282 12th St., Plainwell, MI 49080.
Important Information
Unhoused?
Please come and visit us. We have a special area of our pantry stocked with pop top food, small food packages items, water, toiletry items, socks, blankets, winter hats/mittens and sturdy bags for ease in carrying your items. We can also help you with resources and referrals to start the process of helping you get housed.
Shopping the Pantry
Mondays are drive-thru pantry service only. Please pull under the awning and a staff member will greet you at your car. Tuesdays and Thursdays are in-person shopping. You will come in the front door from the parking lot where you will be greeted by our volunteer receptionist. All clients must have a current intake form filled out in order to receive food.
No Transportation?
Don’t have transportation? Please call us at 269.685.4166 ext. 103, we may be able to help with Allegan County Transportation bus vouchers.
What if I’m living with other people who are not my immediate family?
We serve everyone in the home as one household, despite the fact that you may cook and keep your food separately. Please decide whose name the file will be listed under. That person can bring the required information for everyone in the home. In subsequent months, as long as the file is complete (all requested information has been provided), another adult in the home could shop for the household.
If you are outside of our food pantry service area, please review the Allegan County Food Pantry Collaborative Brochure, or call 2-1-1 as they may be able to help you.
Mobile Food Pantries
A mobile food pantry is like a smaller scale food pantry on wheels. We have two set locations where we offer food assistance outside of our normal pantry service times. We partner with Feeding America Grand Rapids and South Michigan Food Bank.
Christian Neighbors staff and volunteers help distribute the food, and anyone in need can come during the scheduled time at no cost. These mobile food pantries are additional ways to help those in need of some supplemental food.
2nd Monday of the Month – 290 12th Street, Plainwell
On the 2nd Monday of the month, Hope Lutheran Church hosts our mobile food pantry.
- Date/Day:
2nd Monday of each month (week may switch to the week before if it falls on a holiday) - Time:
11am-12pm (or until we run out) - Where:
Hope Lutheran Church
290 12th St., Plainwell, MI 49080 - All are welcome!
- No cost!
- No ID or additional paperwork is required!
- This event is in partnership with Christian Neighbors, Otsego Rotary, Hope Lutheran Church, and Feeding America – Grand Rapids.
4th Thursday of Every Month – 8300 Ravine Rd, Kalamazoo
On the 4th Thursday of every month (exceptions noted below), Royal Estates hosts our mobile food pantry.
- Date/Day:
4th Thursday of each month (week may switch to the week before if it falls on a holiday) - Time:
4-6pm (or until we run out) - Where:
Royal Estates
8300 Ravine Rd Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(Follow arrow signs to reach the site) - All are welcome!
- No cost!
- No ID or additional paperwork is required!
- This event is in partnership with Christian Neighbors, South Michigan Food Bank, Alamo Community Foundation and Royal Estates
Want More Info About Food Assistance?
For more details, or if you’re seeking food assistance, please reach out to our food pantry director, Amy VanPutten, at avanputten@christianneighbors.org or pantry assistant Wendy Gauthier at wgauthier@christianneighbor.org.
