Local Businesses Team up to Feed Local Children

Muskegon, MI – Last fall The Gear Group, a local promotional products and apparel company, launched a fundraiser campaign to give back. It’s called “Be The Good Love Wins ”. They produce and sell uniquely designed campaign apparel to raise funds and spread a positive message in the community. As of April 2018, the proceeds of these sales will be donated to Kids’ Food Basket. Best Financial Credit Union has stepped up and supported this campaign by not only purchasing co-branded campaign shirts, but they launched a monthly program for employees to continue to donate and give back.

In West Michigan, there are 49,560 children who are food insecure and in need of meals. The Gear Group, selected Kids’ Food Basket, an organization who feeds local children, as the recipient of the campaign proceeds. “We wanted to do something to give back locally,” says The Gear Group President Carly Crow, “And we couldn’t be more inspired by the way the local community and businesses like Best Financial have embraced the campaign.”

Kids’ Food Basket is empowering the community to attack childhood hunger so young people can learn and live well. Through their Sack Supper program, thousands of local children receive a nutritious evening meal each weeknight so they can be their best in school and in life. In Muskegon County, Kids’ Food Basket utilizes around 40 volunteers each day to ensure approximately 1,100 students across 4 elementary schools receive their Sack Supper each weeknight.

“Kids’ Food Basket is fully funded, supported, and driven by the love and passion of a can-do community. We couldn’t provide our programming without the support of community partners like The Gear Group and Best Financial Credit Union. We’re so grateful for their support and commitment to our community’s kids,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, Kids’ Food Basket Executive Director.

Best Financial Credit Union learned of the corporate sponsorship option through an ongoing business relationship with The Gear Group. They purchased Be The Good Love Wins apparel in bulk for their employees and opted to have the shirts co-branded with the Best Financial Credit Union logo. In addition to purchasing the shirts, they have also taken their support one step farther. “We have declared the third Thursday of every month Be The Good Love Wins day, says Best Financial Marketing Coordinator Emily Dykstra, “our staff can donate $5 on that Thursday to wear jeans and the shirt.” Best Financial then also donates the money collected to the Be The Good Love Wins campaign. “We were excited to see that the funds are currently going to the Kids’ Food Basket and can’t wait to see where funds might go in the future!” continues Emily.

“We are truly inspired by the support we have received from the community and local businesses to join us in giving back,” says The Gear Group Vice President Shan Bonjernoor, “Since we donate the proceeds from these purchases there are not funds to market the campaign so, all the support we have received from the local media and social media followers has been organic and very much appreciated.”

Additional corporate sponsors include Stan’s Bar in Spring Lake and Michigan International Speedway. The Gear Group launched Be The Good Love Wins in Fall 2017. In the past the funds raised from this campaign have went to the victims of the Las Vegas shooting and Helen Devos Childrens Hospital. Those interested in purchasing apparel, hats or bags can stop into the Gear Group or go online to www.bethegoodlovewins.com to shop apparel. There are corporate sponsorship packages, apparel items as well as an otption to just donate.