At Nest Community Shelter, we believe that a warm meal is more than just sustenance—it’s a beacon of hope for those facing perhaps the most challenging times in their lives. Every year, we serve thousands of meals to our shelter guests, a feat that would be impossible without the incredible support of our community partners. For reference, last year in 2023, we served over 20,000 meals, and this year, we are on track to surpass that number.
The Scale of Our Need
To put things into perspective, our shelter served approximately 20,800 meals last year, so for the sake of math, we’ll round up to 21,000 to take into account any meals that may not have been counted. That’s about 58 meals per day or 400 meals per week. The amount of food required to meet this need is significant:
- 29 pounds of vegetables
- 19 pounds of meat or protein alternatives
- 14 pounds of grains
- 10 gallons of milk or other beverages
And that’s just for a single day! When we stop and think about it, this is staggering. All of these meals are supplied through the generosity of the community and through donors. It is humbling to think about our kitchen, and although we are small in space, we are mighty in effort!
Our Community Heroes
We are blessed to have numerous organizations and individuals who contribute to our mission. Feeding our guests is truly a community effort, and we would be remiss if we did not highlight a vital part of how we feed our guests here at Nest. Today, we’d like to highlight three of our steadfast community partners:
- Franciscan Health Michigan City: The Franciscan hospital in Michigan City supplies us with food prepared but not served in their facility for the day. This delicious and nutritious food is donated to us each Monday through Friday, allowing us to meet the dietary needs of our guests.
- The Salvation Army of Michigan City donates a complete meal for both our men’s and women’s floors each Monday. This food is a tremendous blessing as it takes some of the burden off of our kitchen volunteers and allows them to plan the menu for the week ahead.
- Citizens Concerned for the Homeless Food Rescue Initiative: Every Friday morning, this incredible organization pulls up in our parking lot as other community agencies gather to share and take back to their kitchen food from local supermarkets that, for whatever reason, is unsellable. All of the food is safe for consumption, and it consists of a wide range of foods that were not sold. For example, a bag of bruised apple day, old bakery items, or meat that is still safe to eat but was not sold by the sell-by date. This initiative is a way for many local area organizations, soup kitchens, charity pantries, and our own kitchen to get fresh produce, meats, and the occasional treat such as baked goods.
The Power of Community Generosity
Beyond our regular partners, we are continually amazed by the generosity of our community. From individual donors dropping off shelf-stable foods (canned goods and items that don’t require refrigeration or freezing) to local schools organizing food drives, the outpouring of support is heartwarming. These contributions, big and small, fill the gaps in our meal schedule and add variety to our menu. We also have local area businesses that donate food, and there is amazing support from local restaurants that donate food as well.
Last year alone, community food donations accounted for a significant portion of all meals served at our shelter. This tremendous support not only helps us meet our guests’ basic needs but also shows them that they are valued members of our community.
How You Can Help
The fight against hunger is ongoing, and we always welcome new partners in our mission. Whether you’re an individual, a local business, or a community group, there are many ways to contribute:
– Organize a food drive of shelf-stable foods
– Sponsor a meal through donation of food or funds
– Volunteer in our kitchen
– Make a financial donation. This allows us to purchase any needed items to complete our menu.
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.
To all our partners and community supporters: Thank you. Your generosity doesn’t just fill stomachs—it fills hearts with hope and the strength to face another day. Together, we’re not just feeding our guests; we’re nourishing our community’s spirit.
