1. Students at Forest Hills Central High School raised more than $20,000 to help a family find a new home.
The student-led fundraiser more than doubled its original goal. The money will be used by Family Promise of Grand Rapids.
The organization buys and renovates affordable homes for local families and after a year the family gets to keep it.
2. A Grand Rapids native is set to make some odd NFL history. Former Forest Hills Northern football player Jared Veldheer will be playing for the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs this coming weekend.
This is happening after playing for the Indianapolis Colts in a playoff loss this past weekend.
The long-time Raider and Cardinal was retired during the regular season but joined the Colts as the postseason kicked off.
The former Hillsdale College player will be the first to play for two different teams in the same NFL postseason.
3. The former Purple East building in Grand Rapids is now serving as an emergency homeless shelter. It's also offering free food assistance to those who need it.
It's all part of the God's Kitchen program at Catholic Charities West Michigan and their partnership with Kids' Food Basket.
The facility off Division Avenue will be distributing free food Monday through Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
To-go meals are being handed out in the back of the building.
The shelter plans to offer at least 100 meals per day throughout winter.
4. The City of Kentwood is hosting another food drive.
Donations will supply the city's second Little Free Pantry, which lets community members take what they need no questions asked.
The Kentwood Activities Center, City Hall, the Kent District Library, and the Justice Center will all be accepting donations through the end of the month.
The Grand-Opening Date for the second pantry hasn't been announced yet.
Find more information on the city's website.
5. Amazon was the country's top grocery store in 2020 according to data research company Dunn-Humby.
In its annual retailer preference index, Amazon dethroned last year's winner, Texas-based HEB.
The research company surveyed more than 10,000 households in the U.S. and looked at dozens of retailers in the grocery market.
The results were based on factors like price, quality, convenience, discounts, and speed.
Behind Amazon and HEB were Trader Joe's, Wegman, and Aldi.
