Need Help?
We all need a little extra help at some point in our lives. If you are a resident of northern Kent County, North Kent Connect may be a resource for you to receive food, housing assistance, job services, and much more. For more information about becoming a Client, scroll below or please call us at (616) 866-3478 to speak with a Case Manager.
Many of our services are listed below, and many are free and open to the public, as well as to North Kent Connect Clients.
Click below to see if you are in our service area.
We offer:
Food Programs
- Pantry – filled with fresh, healthy options for you to choose from
- Partner Pantries
- Senior Programs – Senior Pantry, Senior Commodities
- Quarterly Federal Commodities (open to anyone in need)
Case Management
- Step 2
- MI Bridges Navigation
- Financial Assistance
Onsite Partners
- Kent ISD Empower U Kent ISD Empower U
- Disability Advocates of Kent County Disability Advocates of Kent County | Working Alongside People With Disabilities (dakc.us)
- Mel Trotter Ministries https://www.meltrotter.org/
- West MI Works West Michigan Works! | Creating Talent Solutions in West Michigan (westmiworks.org)
In order to become a Client of North Kent Connect:
1. Live in Our Service Area
You must live in our service area (NKC Service Map) which encompasses northern Kent County, Michigan (defined by the area north of 6 Mile Road and south of 22 Mile Road, east of Kenowa Avenue and west of Montcalm Avenue). These boundaries fall within the cities of Sparta, Kent City, Rockford, Belmont, Cedar Springs, and Sand Lake; please note that if you do not live within the above defined service area between these roads, you are not eligible to become a client of North Kent Connect at this time.
2. Income Must Not Exceed Poverty Level
Your combined household income must be at or below 200 percent of the current Federal Poverty Level. (You must be able to provide verifiable documentation, such as bank statements, tax records, and pay stubs.) Additional information regarding income qualification can be found on the USDA website. Eligibility & How to Apply | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)
3. Bring a Photo ID*
You must present a photo identification card for every adult in the household. For all children, bring most current documentation such as WIC papers, a copy of school records, DHHS decision letter, or birth certificate.
4. Provide Proof of Address*
Lastly, you must bring a bill (e.g. utility, credit card) that is current within the past 30 days that matches the address listed on your photo ID.
* Only your name, address, and household information are required to receive food.
If you have questions or would like more information, please call us at (616) 866-3478 to speak to one of our Case Managers.
The Cities and Communities We Serve
We service northern Kent County, which includes the cities of Sparta, Kent City, Rockford, Belmont, Cedar Springs, and Sand Lake. The following map (courtesy of Access of West Michigan) shows the North Kent Connect service area, shaded in blue at the very top of the map.
Contact Us Today
Call (616) 866-3478 to reach a Case Manager, or email us via the contact form below: