Food equity nonprofit celebrates rebrand with fundraiser

Nonprofit

Sep 15

Written By Staff

Esli Calderon
Photo courtesy of EquiTable

To celebrate a major milestone, EquiTable, formerly known as Heartside Gleaning Initiative, will host its “Taking Root” fundraiser on October 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Bridgewater Place, 333 Bridge St NW in Grand Rapids. The event will feature food, storytelling, and community impact as the organization celebrates its new name and renewed mission to promote food equity.

The rebrand reflects EquiTable’s commitment to increasing access to fresh, nourishing food and empowering community members through inclusive, volunteer-driven programming.

Currently, EquiTable serves more than 200 families, but 46 families remain on the waiting list due to limited capacity. The organization is unique in that over 80% of its volunteers are also program participants, creating a deeply connected and invested community.

“I’m kind of a closed-off person,” said Esli Calderon, a volunteer and participant. “But through volunteering every Wednesday, I’ve gained confidence and joy from seeing families pick up their food and smile. I’m grateful; thank you for supporting and donating to this organization.”

Each participating family receives 20 pounds of fresh produce, 2 pounds of beans, and a dozen eggs—a weekly lifeline as grocery prices rise and access to nutritious food remains a challenge for many.

Volunteer Germania De Jesus, who helps check in families during weekly distributions, echoed the program’s importance: “The Comida Buena (program) provides natural food, not canned food. It’s a blessing; it’s a gift from God. Right now, the cost of living is very high. We need healthy food more than ever.”

EquiTable hopes the “Taking Root” fundraiser will raise funds to serve more families and eliminate the waiting list, while raising awareness about food access and equity in Grand Rapids.

For more information, visit: https://www.equitablemi.org/taking-root-fundraiser.

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