GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- For the first time since 2019, the Salvation Army in Kent County will hold a fundraising event on June 2at the Kroc Center.
The Art of Compassion Annual Dinner has not been held since 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic began. It will feature live music, art and a variety of different foods that people can an enjoy as they stroll through the venue. A silent auction will include more than two dozen items.
The Salvation Army provided more details in a news release:
“The Salvation Army provides critical resources such as housing, groceries, utility assistance, Christmas programs and more to thousands of West Michigan residents each year,” said Grand Valley Area Commander Major Tim Meyer. “Our Emergency Food Pantry alone, has seen an increase of almost 300 percent in households served since 2021. And the amount of food we provide has doubled.”
In 2021, The Salvation Army served about 89 household per month. Due to COVID and inflation, those numbers quickly increased each year. Today, they serve an average of 345 households per month. In addition, the amount of food someone receives has also increased. In 2022, they went from providing three days’ worth of groceries, to enough food to last for six days.
The Art of Compassion Annual Dinner will feature live music, art and a variety of different foods that guests can enjoy as they stroll through the venue. A silent auction will also include more than 25 items including tickets to Broadway GR and much more. The deadline to register is May 26. For more information go to sakentcounty.org.
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About The Salvation Army
Founded in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. In 2024, The Salvation Army in Kent County helped provide 9,029 individuals with groceries, 6,805 meals through our Senior Program, 2,016 families with Christmas assistance, 374 households with utility assistance, and 12,714 meals, snacks, and drinks though Emergency Disaster Services. For more information, go to www.sakentcounty.org