Food Assistance and Other Community Resources

Food Assistance and Other Community Resources


2-1-1 Help Referral Service: 2-1-1 operators offer help in 180+ languages to help you find resources for a variety of needs, including child care, food, housing, paying bills and other needs. Residents can get connected with resources in our community anytime through Michigan 2-1-1 by:

  • Calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-887-1107
  • Texting their zip code to 898211
  • Or searching online 
Below is a list of other resources that can help.

Food Assistance: Many area organizations offer food assistance. Please click the links to each organization’s website below for the latest information on hours and instructions.
Additional food sources can be found at Helpkent.org.

Child Care Services: If you are a parent, guardian or family member who is in the essential workforce and in need child care, you can go online to complete this form with your child care needs or call 2-1-1 for help.

Housing Assistance: If you need help paying housing bills or other essential services, call 2-1-1. 

There is help for homeowners to save their homes if they are facing a hardship associated with the coronavirus pandemic through the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund program. 

Additionally, check with your mortgage companies as some are offering mortgage assistance and relief options to those impacted by COVID-19.


These local organizations may also be able to help:

Paying your rent and utility bills:  Help is available to pay your energy bill. If you didn’t qualify for assistance before, you may now. Follow these four steps if you are struggling to pay your energy bill:

  • Call 2-1-1 or go to hwmuw.org/211  for help paying your energy bill.
  • Contact Consumers Energy at 800.477.5050 for flexible payment options.
  • Apply for bill payment assistance at michigan.gov/mibridges
  • Visit michigan.gov/treasury to see if you qualify to apply for a Home Heating Credit.
Help with Technology: Michiganders age 60 and older can get free help learning how to navigate technology such as videoconferencing and telemedicine through GetSetUp, an education technology company dedicated to creating economic and learning opportunities for older adults. An internet connection is all that’s needed to access the resource. Click here to learn more. 

Business Resources: A list of resources and information for Michigan businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak can be found at MichiganBusiness.org/covid19 and COVIDWM.org.  More coronavirus-related resources follow. For general information for investors and those looking to do business in Kentwood, click here.

  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is launching a new program that will give eligible food assistance recipients the opportunity to use their benefits to purchase restaurant meals. Restaurants interested in partnering with MDHHS in the program are asked to visit the MDHHS website, where they can learn more about program requirements and how to enroll. 
  • The Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative will utilize federal CARES Act funding to provide $10 million in grants to meet the urgent need of Michigan small businesses disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Additional details about the process and eligibility criteria are available here.
  • As part of MIOSHA's Ambassador program, businesses and organizations can schedule free COVID-19 safety consultations and find a toolkit that includes a sample COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, reopening checklist, posters, MIOSHA guidelines and fact sheets for employers and employees here
  • In an effort to support Kentwood businesses and the local economy, the City of Kentwood has reduced regulations and expedited the site plan review process for temporary outdoor retail, food, beverage and personal service uses. Learn more at kentwood.us/businessrestart.
  • Employers can visit kentcountybacktowork.com to access safety guidelines, best practices and other resources for safely reopening their businesses.
  • Need PPE for your employees? The Right Place has compiled a list of West Michigan manufacturers that are producing much of the most commonly needed PPE. To view the directory, click here.
  • The MEDC has partnered with Reopen Main Street to compile a variety of recovery resources into one, easy-to-use website: michigan.reopenmainstreet.com. The new website includes reopening strategies, ideas, hints and tips for businesses, business districts and organizations.
  • An additional $310 billion was approved to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to provide forgivable federal loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small business owners who have previously applied for PPP funding are encouraged to verify the status of their pending application with their lender. More information on how to apply for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program is available at MIpaycheckprotection.com
  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched the Save Small Business Fund, which is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as possible.

Do you have a suggestion of a service that should be added to this page? Let us know what we may be missing by contacting info@kentwood.us.