Feeding America West Michigan covers more than 40 counties across western and central Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula, from its base in the Grand Rapids area. It is a more rural operation than Detroit-based Gleaners, with distances between distribution points and households in need that can run to hours, which is why mobile pantries are central to its work. Pattijean McCahill became CEO in 2026, succeeding Kenneth Estelle. It holds a four-star Charity Navigator rating.
Feeding America West Michigan sources food at scale and distributes it across a vast, mostly rural service area through partner agencies and a heavy reliance on mobile pantries that bring food directly into communities. Reaching the Upper Peninsula and remote western Michigan counties is a logistics challenge built around distance, and the organization has expanded into fixed-site pantries as well, opening its first in Kentwood in 2026.
Pattijean McCahill was selected as CEO by the board in 2026, succeeding Kenneth R. Estelle, who had led the organization as President and CEO. The transition came as food insecurity rose across the region and the food bank expanded its footprint, including the move of its headquarters from Comstock Park to Kentwood in 2024.
The service area spans more than 40 counties of western and central Michigan plus the entire Upper Peninsula. It is far less metro-dense than the Detroit side of the state, with poverty spread across small towns, farming communities, and isolated northern counties. That geography shapes everything the food bank does.
Yes. Feeding America West Michigan is a 501(c)(3) and a Feeding America member with a four-star Charity Navigator rating, the highest available. Bulk buying and donated food mean a gift converts into many meals across the wide service area.
Donations and volunteer shifts run through feedwm.org. Volunteers help sort and pack and staff mobile pantries across the region, and cash gifts go furthest because of the food bank’s purchasing power.
Feeding America West Michigan covers the western and central counties and the Upper Peninsula, while Gleaners covers the dense southeastern corner around Detroit. For anyone in Grand Rapids, the western counties, or the UP, this is the lead organization.
The core tool for reaching rural and remote communities.
Agencies across 40+ counties receive food.
Newer permanent locations, including the first in Kentwood (2026).
School and weekend food support for kids at risk of hunger.
Sources: Feeding America West Michigan website (feedwm.org), Charity Navigator (EIN 38-2439659), and 2026 reporting from WOOD TV and WGVU on the new CEO and expansion. We are not affiliated with Feeding America West Michigan and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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