Free Plates, Full Hearts: This GR Chef’s Feeding the Community Every Sunday

With the holidays coming up and grocery costs still sky-high, one Grand Rapids chef is making sure no one in his neighborhood goes hungry this season.

Street Chef Shaw, known for his scratch-made comfort food and big heart, announced this week that he’s giving away free plates of food every Sunday through November, no questions asked.

In a video posted to his Instagram, he said it best: “We know times are tough right now, so we’re giving out FREE plates every Sunday through November from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. No questions. No strings. Just good food made with love.”

He’s serving the free meals at his shop on 1539 Plainfield Ave NE in Grand Rapids, where anyone can stop by, grab a plate, and enjoy a warm meal. no judgment, just community.

“Our business was built on giving back,” Chef Shaw wrote in the post. “And this is one small way we can show love to our community.”

After his post started making the rounds on social media, the response was overwhelming. Dozens of people offered to help or donate, prompting Shaw to share a follow-up video explaining how people could pitch in. Donations can be made directly through Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal, or by stopping in to eat and support the cause in person.

And in true community spirit, Chef Shaw is challenging other Grand Rapids restaurants to join in, asking them to pick their own Sunday time slot to offer free plates too, so that together, the city can make sure “everyone in GR gets fed.”

At a time when so many are feeling the pinch from delayed SNAP benefits to rising prices, this simple act of kindness is a reminder that helping your neighbors doesn’t take much. Just a little food, a little love, and a lot of heart.

You can follow @StreetChefShaw on Instagram for updates, donation details, and more ways to get involved.