Food & Clothing Store

St. Alphonsus Food and Clothing Center is a client-choice pantry that serves those living on the North East area of Grand Rapids. Neighbors in need are invited to come and shop for food, clothing, and personal care products once a month free of charge 616-451-3043 Ext. 415.

 

HOURS

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friday
CLOSED


ADDRESS

228 Carrier St. NE in the former school building.

The main entrance can be found at the double green doors behind the oak tree in the courtyard.

 

Food

Serves individuals and families in northeast Grand Rapids. Clients can receive food once a month at either St. Alphonsus or North End Community Ministries (NECM), our sister pantry located at 214 Spencer St NE. To receive food, please register your household either at St. Alphonsus at 224 Carrier St NE or NECM (616-454-1097).

Clothing

Free distribution to families in northeast Grand Rapids. Neighbors can shop for free clothing and receive two outfits per person in their household once a month. Donations of new or gently used clothing are gladly welcomed. Clothing may be dropped off at the center during hours of operation, to the parish office, or at the back of St. Alphonsus Church during the last weekend Masses of the month.

To Volunteer

Our Food and Clothing Pantry is able to exist because of our caring volunteers! If you have a heart for our neighbors in need and wish to partake in a compassionate outreach, St. Alphonsus is the place for you! Many of our volunteers come weekly, but our volunteer schedule is flexible.
To learn more or to become involved call Michelle Hatfield at 616-451-3043 ext. 415.

Donation Policy

The Food and Clothing Center gratefully accepts your time, donations, monetary and prayerful support.  Our Center welcomes the following:

  • Clothing: New and gently used men’s, women’s, children’s, and infant’s clothing as well as shoes, accessories, underwear, and socks.

  • Food: Canned and dry goods that are unopened and not past their expiration date.

  • Personal Care Products: Items such as Laundry soap, Dish soap, Toothpaste, Tooth brushes, Bar soap, Lotion, Towels, Sheets, Disposal razors, Shaving cream, Feminine Products, Diapers, Shampoo, and other household and hygiene needs are always in high demand.

  • Small Household Goods: Sheets, Towels, Books, Small Appliances (toasters, coffee makers, etc), Dishes, and Kitchen Utensils are very popular with our neighbors.

History

St. Alphonsus Food and Clothing Center opened in 1973 in a storefront at Leonard and College NE. The center moved several times to different parish spaces and the basement of Carrier Crest Apartments before settling in its current location in the parish center in 2013. Due to the generosity of parishioners, we now have a beautiful barrier-free space that allows our neighbors to shop in a grocery store and clothing boutique setting.

The Center provides food for three days to an average of 1200 people each month. Some food comes by direct donation. Most, however, is purchased at $0.19 a pound from Feeding America West Michigan and at discounted prices from local grocery stores. Funding comes primarily from parishioners.

 
 
 
 
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Mobile Food Pantry

St. Alphonsus hosts a mobile food truck every 1st Tuesday of the month April-November in the parking lot across from the church. Registration begins at 4pm and the truck arrives at 4:30 p.m. Food is distributed via drive-through. Anyone in need is welcome to come, no ID required.

For more information contact Michelle Hatfield at 616-451-3043 ext 415 or email at mhatfield@stalphonsusgr.org

 
 
 
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Holiday Programs

This year, we will be delivering Thanksgiving meals to partner low-income, senior apartment complexes ONLY. We are unable to take additional requests. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals from 10:30-12 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. For more information contact Michelle Hatfield at 616-451-3043 ext 415 or email at mhatfield@stalphonsusgr.org

This year, we are unable deliver Holiday Baskets. If you are in need, please contact the Salvation Army to sign up for their holiday baskets. If you are a parishioner in need, please contact Michelle Hatfield at 616-451-4043 ext 415 or email at mhatfield@stalphonsusgr.org

 
 
 
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Pantry Wish List

The Food and Clothing Store gratefully accepts your time, donations, monetary and prayerful support. We ask that any donated food be unopened and that clothing be clean and in season. Donations are accepted at our new pantry in the Parish Center from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and at the Parish Office during normal business hours.

Pantry items needed throughout the year include:
Laundry soap, Dish soap, Tooth paste, Tooth brushes, Bar soap, Lotion, Towels, Sheets, Disposal razors, Shaving cream, Feminine products, Diapers, Shampoo