Food & Clothing Center

The St. Alphonsus Food and Clothing Center enables us to reach out to people in desperate need of help, especially the hungry. The center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are scheduled once a month or as often as one wished to help.

To effectively minister this year-round program, we depend on volunteers to donate time and energy once or twice a month.  In-service training and on-going support is available.  Men and women, high school and college students have helped to make this a successful ministry.  To learn more or to become involved call A.J. Setter at 913-4415.

Food: Serves individuals and families in northeast Grand Rapids in cooperation with ACCESS (All County Churches Emergency Support System) Thanksgiving hot meals delivered.  Christmas food baskets distributed.

Clothing: Free distribution to families in northeast Grand Rapids.  Donations of new or gently used clothing accepted in season. Clothing may be dropped off at the center during hours of operation or on at the back of St. Alphonsus Church during the last weekend Masses of the month.

Miscellaneous: Hygiene needs and laundry supplies.  Baby formula and diapers.-

Can provide: Information and referrals to other appropriate resources in the city.

Donation Policy: The Food and Clothing Center 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. 

History: St.  Alphonsus Food and Clothing Center opened in 1973 in a storefront at Leonard and College NE.  The center moved twice to locations in parish buildings.  Since 1992 it has occupied its present barrier-free quarters in the lower level of Carrier Crest Apartments. 

Its clientele has increased steadily.  It provides food for three days to between 700 and 900 people a month.  Some food comes by direct  donation as well as surplus commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Most, however, is purchased at $0.16 a pound from Feeding America West Michigan and at discounted prices from local grocery stores.  Funding comes primarily from parishioners.

Meals to Go Program: In conjunction with the Supper House Program, Social Concerns Ministry distributes pre-packaged meals every last Tuesday of the month. Volunteers are needed to package meals on Monday evenings and distribute food on Tuesday. Currently, we are distributing between 75 and 150 meals each month. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact AJ Setter at
913-4415 or email at setteraj@gmail.com