News

One part of society not taking time off during the pandemic is the homeless crisis. Homeless services provided by places like Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids have been deemed essential services by state and federal authorities.

It's not uncommon for restaurants to donate food to homeless shelters. But, now more than ever the two industries are working together to get through COVID-19.

The majority of the meals were to be served during the March 14 event at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

Great news thrifters! Mel Trotter Ministries is opening up two brand new thrift stores this Fall! Not only does this means a Saturday with the girls thrifting, but also that 100% of the money spent at these stores goes right back to Mel Trotter Ministries.

Mel Trotter continues to wage its own fight against homelessness and is asking for the community's help. The nonprofit has seen a drastic spike in the number of single women seeking emergency shelter.

Mel Trotter Ministries sees hundreds of people come to its Heartside Neighborhood shelter every day, but an uptick in single women has forced them to set up mats on a basketball court.

Mel Trotter Ministries has experienced a 40 percent increase of single women seeking emergency shelter over the last year. In addition to youth and family homelessness, single women are one of the fastest growing homeless populations in greater Grand Rapids.

Bryan Stevenson, New York Times best-selling author and subject of the forthcoming major motion picture “Just Mercy” will be in Grand Rapids on September 25 speaking at Mel Trotter Ministries’ Season of Hope luncheon.

Homeless men and women found any shade they could at Heartside Park Friday, lying on crunchy grass or sitting at picnic tables under small trees, or under the gazebo. But not James, who sat sweltering as the heat index neared 100 degrees.

Mel Trotter Ministries held a clothing giveaway Wednesday, handing out hundreds of pieces of winter gear to people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids.