A Place For All

“Tomorrow are we going to Neighbors For Neighbors?” My four year old son will often ask me this question when we are talking about our week. It often falls right in line with “Do we have school tomorrow? Do we have swim class tonight?” This past fall, my family and I began spending time with a NonProfit organization called Grand Rapids Neighbors For Neighbors. My husband and two young sons head downtown on the second Saturday of each month where we meet a group at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Commerce for what we call “Sharing Saturday”. 

What is it?

If you've never heard of Grand Rapids Neighbors For Neighbors before, you may be able to guess the Mission within the name! It’s simple, really! We are a Grand Rapids area group of Neighbors coming together for the purpose of serving our Neighbors. We meet around 11am once a month and doors are open to guests to receive essential goods such as coats, clothing, toiletries, shoes and even a warm cup of coffee and a healthy lunch. And that’s it! No strings attached! Come exactly as you are and meet others in a safe and welcoming space for everyone.  

Everyone? Really? Everyone?

It’s true, all can participate regardless of your age, gender, or ability. There is a spot for you. This past month, children in a group known as “LightHouse Kids” along with their Congregation from The Community Church in Ada put together Generosity bags for their neighbors. These kids ages 3 through 10 spent several hours decorating sack bags with their own personal touches, lots of colors, paints, stickers and designs! They were supported by many who helped to collect hand warmers, water bottles, socks and snacks to fill the bags to give out as we finish out this cold season of winter in Michigan. 

In my time volunteering, I have consistently seen new people arrive on a sharing Saturday and partaking in many roles both up front and behind the scenes. There is always room for people to help make sandwiches in the morning, set up tables, bring out donations and arrange them for giving. You may be a people person with an excellent way of welcoming and greeting new faces with a smile, leading people where they might find what they need or just offering a friendly conversation. Sometimes, help is needed to tidy up or replenish items on the tables or hand out bags that can hold people’s belongings as they gather items they need for the week. 

The Joy of the People

I have never been to a N4N event where I didn’t see people smiling or laughing. It truly is a joyous day filled with goodness and gratitude. You may think it is a very solemn and grief filled affair to be both on the giving and receiving ends. Homelessness, poverty, hard times and trauma are no friends of ours but they can happen to us all. What I have learned is that there is a true connection of humanity in these moments of giving and receiving. We bridge the gap between people as we recognize the space in us that is all the same and the want for all of us to be happy, comfortable, safe and fulfilled in the ways we must be in order to thrive. We are people that strive to make life good for other people. 

Our next Sharing Saturday:

April 12, 2025

11am-1pm

Located inside the Parking Garage at:

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 

250 Commerce Ave SW #100

Grand Rapids MI 49503