OurMission TheSouthsideCommunityKitchenstrivesto provide well-balanced, nourishing meals to the hungry people of Lansing in a caring, dignified environmentwheretheyarereassuredoftheirworthasGod’suniqueworksofcreation.
OurHistory Founded in 1987 by concerned people from several local church congregations as a response to the growing numbers of homeless and hungry people living in Lansing, the Southside Community Kitchen.Since that time, we have served over 300,000 meals to people in need.Anetwork of dedicated volunteers work with SCK staff each meal service to prepare, serve, and clean up. Hundreds of people partner with the SCK to offer crucial financial support to our efforts.In addition, local church congregations, local foundations, and organizations faithfully support and are engaged in our mission with financial donations and volunteers. Wealsoreceiveseveral local grants from the Greater Lansing Food Bank, The CapitalArea Community Foundation, The Granger Family Foundation, Ingham County Community Grants, and various local businesses and organizations.
WhatWeDo
Prepare nutritious meals consisting of 4 oz of protein, a serving of fruit and a serving of vegetable, a serving of bread, potato or grain, a dessert and 8 oz of milk, coffee, and tea
Serve meals on a reliable schedule, with no cost or prerequisite requirements for our guests
Provide a place where compassionate and caring volunteers serve guests with kindness and respect
Offer a warm, safe and nurturing place for our guests and volunteers to experience community and gracious hospitality.
Engage over 150 community volunteers in our mission
Serve vegetarian meals on Monday and halal meals on Wednesday.
WhoWeServe Our guests comefromavariety of backgrounds buthold onething in common – hunger insecurity.The majority of our guests are seniors who are living on a very limited budget and some have severe chronic health problems.We serve people of all ages and welcome families and extended families in need of a good meal.Some guests come once or occasionally, others require our help with meals on a regular basis. We are open to anyone who is hungry – no questionsasked.Wehonorourguestsbybringingtheirmealtotheirplacesettingsothereisno waiting in long lines for a meal. Our guests gather around the table not only to be nourished by our meal, but also for conversation and support from other guests.Each day we serve and average of 45-150 guests.
Meals Served:
2021:1,570(Re-OpenedOctober21)
2022:9,199
2023: 13,457
2024: 16,591
In 2025:
17,500 delicious, nutritious meals were served to 13,500 guests
More than 150 dedicated volunteers completed 1,248 individual service commitments, leading to more than 5,000 hours of volunteer service
Food Rescue US — Lansing Com munities volunteers delivered 20,888 lbs. of food including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and desserts — equivalent to 17,206 meals valued at $40,000.
Staff
Staci Garcia-Nagel, Executive Director
Raina Gilbert, Assistant Director
Corey Marie Kitley-Hassenger, Lead Cook
Celeste Jennings, Guest Experience Assistant
Volunteering If you would like to give of your time, we encourage you to become a regular volunteer. Many of our volunteers come in once a week or once a month to assist with meal preparation under the guidance of our cook, serve meals and beverages to guests, and clean up - and recycle after our meal service. Hours vary between 9:00 - 1:00 at UU of Lansing or 11:00 - 1:00 at Galilee Baptist Church. You can sign up to volunteer through SignUpGenius using the following links:
Galilee Baptist signup (*this link is reserved for church and service group sign-ups only)
If you would like to learn more about volunteering at Southside Community Kitchen, please review our Volunteer Handbook or contact Raina Gilbert at 517-410-8976 or [email protected].
Mailing Address SouthsideCommunityKitchen PO Box 80844 Lansing,MI 48908
PhysicalAddress UnitarianUniversalistChurchofGreaterLansing 5509 S. Pennsylvania Ave Lansing,MI 48911