WEST MICHIGAN -- The inaugural "Feed the Future" fundraiser to support Kids' Food Basket is underway today (Friday) on 104.5 WSNX in Grand Rapids and Muskegon radio stations 107 MUS "The Moose" and Rock 101.7.
"Kids' Food Basket is a philanthropically funded organization," KFB chief executive Bridget Clark Whitney said on West Michigan's Morning News. "So, how we are funding our meals every day - our nutritious education - is coming from the generous community, and has for 23 years."
You can donate via the radiothon or by clicking here.
It began at 7 a.m. and runs to 6 p.m.
The event is being broadcast to about 1.6 million iHeartMedia listeners across 14 West Michigan counties. Community members are sharing their stories about how Kids' Food Basket has impacted them. It serves 11-thousand meals to children in 61 schools throughout Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties.
Here are more details from a KFB news release:
“At iHeart Media, we are proud of being part of a caring community that gives back,” said Tim Feagan, metro president for Grand Rapids and Muskegon at iHeart Media. “It’s important to support our neighbors right here in West Michigan and ensuring that kids have access to healthy food is something we can all get behind. Hearing about the work that KFB does has been inspiring, and we’re looking forward sharing this inspiration with our listeners on March 14.”
KFB currently serves 11,000 nutritious evening meals every school day to children in 61 schools throughout Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties. The food equity organization combines this access with agriculture and education, operating two 10-acre farms that distribute fresh produce directly to the community and teaching lessons about healthy food, how it’s grown and why it matters.
The organization recently acquired a new property in Muskegon, located at 2330 Barclay St. Once renovated, the building will allow for immediate expanded service on the lakeshore. This radio fundraiser will help support these much-needed increased operations.
“Thirteen percent of children in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties are food insecure,” said KFB’s VP of Philanthropy, Tamara VanderArk-Potter. “A gift of just $50 can provide healthy evening meals to a child for an entire month, but as a 90% philanthropically funded organization, we need our community’s help to accomplish this critical work. We are incredibly grateful to iHeart Media for getting the word out across our region. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of children right here in West Michigan.”
About Kids’ Food Basket Kids’ Food Basket (KFB) was founded to nourish children to reach their full potential. We are a community-based food equity nonprofit serving our West Michigan neighbors in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties who are under-resourced and impacted by poverty and food insecurity. Our services include our flagship Sack Supper program, sustainable farming, community food distribution and educational programming.
Kids’ Food Basket is now serving about 11,000 evening meals to 61 schools in four counties each weekday. We work toward a future in which all children have access to the nourishment that fosters their lifelong health and limitless potential.
To learn more about KFB’s programs, services and how you can make a difference, please visit kidsfoodbasket.org.
About iHeartMedia West Michigan
iHeartMedia West Michigan owns and operates WBCT-FM, WOOD-AM/FM, WSNX-FM, WMAX-FM, WBFX-FM, WTKG-AM, WMUS-FM, WMRR-FM, WKBZ-AM, and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with 90% of Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio in every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the size of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service.
iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts.
The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
###