Sketch and Snack: A Community Event Hosted by Kids’ Food Basket and Eastbrook Homes

Across Michigan, 1.1 million people suffer from food insecurity, with over 34,000 of those being children under 18 in West Michigan. Thankfully, Kids’ Food Basket has been working tirelessly for over two decades to provide free nutritious meals to thousands of students while also enhancing community access to sustainably farmed fruits and vegetables.

This month, Eastbrook Homes continues our ongoing partnership with Kids Food Basket with the upcoming Sketch and Snack event. This event not only supports the Sack Supper project but also provides an evening of community bonding over food, drink, and fun for the whole family. Read on to learn more about how this Michigan nonprofit is transforming kids’ lives and how you can be part of fighting local food insecurity!

Overcoming Food Insecurity with Kids’ Food Basket

Since 2002, Kids’ Food Basket has been working to erase barriers to food equity across West Michigan by both providing access to healthy meals for kids and by pioneering sustainable, community-driven farming practices.

Kids’ Food Basket began by serving just 125 meals to students at three schools in Kent County, but over the last 20 years, their Sack Supper has expanded exponentially, now serving thousands of students across Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Allegan Counties. Meals are delivered every weekday and contain one serving of fruit, vegetables, protein, and a healthy snack option to ensure children have reliable access to a hearty nutritious meal.

In addition to providing ready-to-eat meals, Kids’ Food Basket is expanding community access to nutritious food through farming programs that both grow and distribute sustainably farmed fruits and vegetables. They not only produce this food on their 10-acre chemical-free farm, which opened in 2022 in Ottawa County, but they also provide educational programs and practical resources to help families start their own at-home food gardens. Their Learning Lab offers interactive lessons for both students and their families that not only develop gardening skills but also teach healthy habits around food that allow families to make informed decisions toward a more nourishing lifestyle.

Eastbrook Homes Gives Back

As a long-time partner of Kids’ Food Basket, Eastbrook Homes is proud to once again collaborate with KFB to host the Sketch and Snack event at our Macatawa Legends community in Holland, Michigan. At this pop-up art event, you can decorate one of the many Sack Suppers that will later be delivered to students in one of four active KFB counties, adding a touch of tender loving care to each meal that is sure to put a smile on the face of the child who receives 

it.

Event Details:

• Thursday, September 14th
• 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• 14526 Georgian Bay Drive Holland, MI 49424
• Free admission

The event will feature:

• Snacks and juice boxes for kids
• Charcuterie, beer, and wine for adults
•  Art demos every 30 minutes by local artist Carolyn Stich
•  Personalized tours of the newest model home at Macatawa Legends

While this is a FREE family-friendly event, space is limited, so be sure to RSVP to ensure you and your family have the opportunity to come to support an incredible nonprofit through an evening of community-focused fun!

Get Involved

Besides attending Sketch and Snack, Kids’ Food Basket also offers a host of other ways to support their mission.  There are numerous volunteer opportunities for individuals, ranging from meal deliveries to farm work on one of KFB’s two farm locations. You can also contact any KFB location to coordinate a group volunteer day packing or decorating meals and helping out on the farm.

In addition to their collaboration with Eastbrook Homes, Kids’ Food Basket also hosts multiple events throughout the year in conjunction with their community partners, offering plenty of chances to support their work by raising awareness, funds, and promoting local education. Check out their calendar of events to stay in the loop on upcoming opportunities.

Lastly, Kids’ Food Basket is always accepting donations, and even small contributions can have a significant impact. As little as $15 can provide a week of evening meals, $25 provides a Sack Supper with a serving of fresh fruit for an entire school, and $50 will fund evening meals for a child for an entire month. Contributions are accepted both as one-time and monthly donations and local businesses can set up a gift matching program to double the impact of their employees!

Stay updated on all of Eastbrook’s events by reading our weekly blog, and check out one of our Eastbrook communities to see why West Michigan is one of the most family-friendly places to make your next move. When you’re ready to buy or build your dream home, explore one of our many move-in ready homes or get inspiration from an Eastbrook Home design. Connect with us today to get started!