Appropriations Requests for : Kids Food Basket

1. Cosponsoring legislators:

No Cosponsors

Recipient Information

2. Intended legislatively directed spending item recipient:

Kids Food Basket

3. Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:

1300 Plymouth Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 652 Hastings Ave., Holland, MI 49423 226 104th Ave., Holland, MI 49423 2330 Barclay St., Muskegon, MI 49441

4. The recipient's employer identification number:

043760991

Funding Details

5. Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:

$1,000,000.00

6. What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?

The funding will be used to support Kids’ Food Basket (KFB) operations in FY 2027. KFB is currently supplying 11,500 meals to 68 elementary schools in four counties in West Michigan (Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon). The “sack suppers” are delivered to schools where low-income students take them home as a 3rd meal. KFB also provides nutrition education at a number of schools as well as owns and operates two farms where they grow food for the community and host students for hands-on lessons about growing food and the importance of fresh, healthy food for their bodies. The public benefits include increased academic performance, reduced truancy, and better overall behavior and success in school. When more children have access to the nourishing food that fosters lifelong health, we create a stronger, healthier community for generations to come. The People of the State of Michigan benefit greatly when their education dollars are augmented by KFB’s work to ensure kids are nourished and prepared to be successful in school and in life. The funding would be used for employee salary and benefits, food and equipment costs, building and farm maintenance, renovations, and expansions, and any other program expenses to meet their mission and goals.

7. Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?

✓ Yes: State Funding

Amount received: $4,625,000.00

8. Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:

Fiscal year 2027

Additional Information For Nonprofit Corporations

9. Is the recipient a nonprofit corporation?

Yes

4. Officers and active members on the board of directors:

1. Mary Command – President and Treasurer 2. Jessie Jones – Vice President 3. Mario Cascante – Secretary 4. Mary K. Hoodhood – Founder 5. Menaka Abel 6. Charen Buyce 7. Matthew Cortez 8. Timothy Dudley 9. Erin Dziengel 10. Max Gibbs 11. Ronald Grifka, M.D. 12. Bob Kaser 13. Phalesha Kyes 14. Joe Verbrugge 15. Imran Zaman

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator

• "I certify that my immediate family members, legislative staff members, and I have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the requested legislatively directed spending item."
• "I certify that the intended recipient of this legislatively directed spending item is not a for-profit entity."
• "I certify that the information in this form is true to the best of my knowledge."

Senator Mark E Huizenga