Public Media from Michigan State University

Scenes from the shelter: The giver and receiver are sometimes one and the same

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio

With Thanksgiving marking the start of the traditional holiday season, we’re entering the peak time for charitable giving. 

In recent weeks, one of Lansing’s largest homeless services providers has received a few unexpected gifts. Volunteers of America Michigan is using nearly a ton of meat and donated kitchen and dining equipment to serve hundreds of clients each day.

Current State’s Kevin Lavery toured the VOA shelter in downtown Lansing this week to learn more about the people who are giving and receiving this time of year.  That’s where he met kitchen manager Jeff Ramirez, who affectionately goes by the moniker “Chef Jeff.”

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.