Standing Together: Eden Café’s Community Food Drive with The Other Way Ministries
- Eden Cafe
- Nov 11, 2025
- 3 min read
💚 Supporting Our Neighbors During Challenging Times
As families across the country navigate the effects of the recent government shutdown and the loss of SNAP benefits, food insecurity has become a growing concern right here in Grand Rapids. At Eden Café, we believe in the power of community — that when we come together, small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
That’s why, from November 11 through December 19, 2025, Eden Café is hosting a Community Food Drive in partnership with The Other Way Ministries, a trusted organization serving the west side of Grand Rapids through their neighborhood food pantry and support programs.
🍎 About The Other Way Ministries
Located in the heart of the west side, The Other Way Ministries has been a cornerstone of compassion in Grand Rapids for years. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to walk alongside individuals and families as they work toward stability and hope.
Their food pantry serves hundreds of local residents each month, providing access to essential items for those facing food insecurity. As more families seek support, their shelves empty faster — and that’s where our café community can step in to help.
☕ How Eden Café Is Getting Involved
Inside Eden Café, we’ve set up a Food Drive Table where guests can drop off nonperishable donations during our regular business hours. Together, we can help replenish The Other Way Ministries’ pantry shelves and ensure that every family in our city has access to nutritious, reliable food.
We’re also excited to be part of a broader west-side effort — other local favorites like Lantern Coffee Bar and Rise Coffee Shop are also joining in. Whether you give at Eden Café, another local coffee shop, or directly to The Other Way Ministries, your contribution makes a meaningful impact.
🥫 Most Needed Items
Based on our recent visit and conversation with The Other Way Ministries, these are the most requested donation items right now:
Protein-rich nonperishable foods (beans, peanut butter, lentils, etc. – no meat or eggs)
Canned vegetables (especially canned tomatoes!)
Toilet paper and paper products
Baby food and formula
Nutritious snacks
Every single item helps — whether it’s one can of beans or a bag of supplies. Together, we can fill pantries and hearts across our city.
🌻 Why This Matters to Us
Eden Café’s mission has always been to cultivate joy, connection, and community through good coffee and good vibes. But more than that, we believe our café can be a space where kindness grows.
This food drive isn’t about charity — it’s about community care. It’s about recognizing that we all have something to give, and that when we come together, we make our city stronger.
As Emmitt, one of our owners, shared after visiting The Other Way Ministries:
“We just want to complement the amazing work they’re already doing — to champion what’s happening here in our community and invite others to do the same.”
📍 How to Donate
You can drop off your donations at:Eden Café – Grand Rapids, MI📅 November 11 – December 19, 2025
Or donate directly to The Other Way Ministries at:839 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
For more information, visit theotherway.org or stop by Eden Café to learn more about how you can get involved.
💫 Join the Movement
Whether you’re stopping in for your morning latte or swinging by to drop off a few cans of food, your small action creates a ripple of kindness that reaches far beyond our café walls.
Together, we can help fill the shelves, fuel the community, and spread the good vibes that make Grand Rapids such a special place.
