BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Two women from West Michigan are doing what they can to help their communities fight hunger by teaming up with Apple Spice Lunch Box and Delivery in Byron Center.
Bonnie and Jenny volunteer their time and a lot more in hopes of making a difference.
“It's not too much work. But I just like to help others out,” said Jenny Durfee with Apple Spice Lunch Box and Delivery Company. "Just anything that I can do and save waste is very helpful."
The word "helpful" would be an understatement for what Jenny Durfee is doing to help her neighbors.
“It's a lot of bread,” she said. “It is.”
After a conversation with Nancy Jacobs, the owner of Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery and Catering in Byron Center, Jenny decided to use the daily leftover bread to feed people in need.
“There was a little bit too much bread leftover at the end of the day,” Jenny said.
By a little, Jenny means anywhere from 50 to 300 loaves of bread.
Instead of throwing it out, she believed it could be of great value somewhere else. “I was familiar with Streams of Hope,” said Jenny. “So, I asked them if they would like to have it to hand it out to those less fortunate, and they accepted. And that was only two times a week. So, the rest of the time I just bring it home with me and set it in my front yard.”
“So, she set up what we called Jenny’s Bread and Lemonade Stand,” said Nancy Jacobs. “And she sets up a table, sets the bread out, and just gives it away for free. And then her neighbors have been so grateful. Some of them have taken it, given it to their elderly parents, different people that they know who are in need, who can't get out to get food.”
Bonnie Wiers does her part too, helping with deliveries at apple spice and working in the food pantry at Streams of Hope.
“I was picking up the breads on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so that we could hand it out. And one day I asked Nancy, do you ever need any help? Because I was not busy enough,” said Bonnie.
Bonnie says the bread from apple spice is a real game-changer.
“It's a blessing. It's wonderful. And we need more people who are willing to share their gifts and talents and whatever they have to help people who are really in a lot of need,” Bonnie said.
Apple Spice began with that very notion.
“You know, when we started this I had always wanted this business to be a blessing to not just us, and as well as our team members, and the community,” said Nancy. "And so this, it's a good feeling to know that food is not getting thrown away. I just always feel like God gives us so much, and he doesn't want us to be wasteful, that. So, if I can do something with it, rather than just throwing it away, that's a really good feeling."
If you are interested in supporting the mission, contact them at 616-805-3288.
They are also located at 701 68th St. SW, Unit 410, in Byron Center.