In the News: Articles About Dégagé

Press Release: Holidays at Degage Ministries

For the last 42 years, Dégagé Ministries has provided responsive programming to the homeless, poverty-stricken, mentally ill and disabled individuals in the core of Grand Rapids. Every day, 400-500 individuals come to Dégagé Ministries to find assistance with immediate or long-term needs such as meals, hygiene facilities, referrals, and overnight shelter for women in crisis.

Dégagé Ministries has several events planned in the coming weeks to brighten the lives of those we serve.

Christmas Gift Bags, Thursday, December 24th, 10:30 am

Dégagé Ministries will be distributing Christmas gift bags to hundreds of individuals that might otherwise not receive a gift. At 10:30 am on Dégagé’s third floor, volunteers will hand out gift bags filled by members of the greater Grand Rapids community. Staff and volunteers have been collecting the gifts for several weeks. Last year, individuals, churches and schools donated nearly 450 shoeboxes containing items as diverse as personal care products, warm winter wear, playing cards and candy.

Ruth Mulder has helped assemble and present these gifts for the last few years. “It’s a blessing to participate in this program. This is the only Christmas many of these individuals will have. It’s a great experience to watch them receive and open their gifts.”

Birthday Party, Tuesday, December 29th, 12:00 pm

Every month Dégagé Ministries hosts a birthday party for its patrons. The party includes pizza, cake and a birthday card for each person attending. While this may seem simple, for many of those in attendance this provides their only opportunity to be recognized and celebrated. At a recent party, one lady even exclaimed, “This is the first birthday card I have ever received in my life.”

The birthday parties take place the last Tuesday of every month at 12:00 pm.

New Year’s Eve Celebration, Friday, December 31st

As a church in the heart of the city, Westminster Presbyterian Church has lived out the call to help the homeless and poverty-stricken. On December 31st, they will serve a New Year’s Eve annual meal to patrons at Dégagé Ministries. The group has been providing the meal for over 35 years. Vera Hendericks is head of the kitchen at Westminster Presbyterian Church and has personally cooked the meal for 26 of those years.

“Vera begins preparing for the meal weeks in advance. Vera is one of the longest serving volunteers at Dégagé and we are so grateful for her. Her team from Westminster does an outstanding job. They help bring New Year’s cheer to those less fortunate,” says Dégagé Ministries Executive Director, Marge Palmerlee.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. Following dinner, members from Westminster Church will also host a bingo game.