Update: On Tuesday, Nov. 19, organizers said God’s Kitchen of Michigan now plans to hold the Thanksgiving meal in Kalamazoo after receiving donations to support the effort.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- God’s Kitchen of Michigan won’t serve a free Thanksgiving dinner at their Kalamazoo location due to lack of funding.
The non-profit, which has another soup kitchen in Battle Creek, said Monday, Nov. 18, it is shutting down the Kalamazoo location until enough funding can be secured to resume operations.
"This is the first time in our eight-year history that God's Kitchen of Michigan has canceled a holiday event," Rev. William Stein, co-founder and chairman of the non-profit, said in a statement.
The Thanksgiving dinner was scheduled for Nov. 27 at the 1000 W Paterson St. location. The lack of funds also threatens the Kalamazoo soup kitchen’s free Christmas dinner on Dec. 18.
Some area businesses have contributed to the Christmas dinner fund drive. Those interested in donating can make a tax-deductible donation by check or money order to God's Kitchen of Michigan, P.O. Box 2632, Kalamazoo, MI 49003.
Donations can also be submitted online at www.gofundme.com/f/kalamazoochristmasdinner.
God’s Kitchen of Michigan, formerly God's Kitchen - Battle Creek, opened the Kalamazoo location in 2017.
The soup kitchen has served 6,068 meals in Kalamazoo since April 1. The soup kitchen is temporarily shutting down after meals are served Wednesday, Nov. 20, until more funding is secured.
