West Michigan Radio Show Raises Nearly $163K For Kids’ Food Basket

Thursday, August 7, things sounded WAY different to those tuning into to our sister station, 97.9 GRD. No commercials, very few songs, and you heard stories from people across West Michigan who have had their lives touched by Kids' Food Basket.

The inaugural Fill The Basket fundraiser to benefit Kids' Food Basket started as an idea more than four years ago, and in 2024, it became a reality. This year, we set out to do it bigger and better.

The members of the show - Gregg "Free Beer" Daniels, Chris "Hot Wings" Michels, Steve, Kelly, Maitlynn, and Tommy - along with Tommy Carroll and Janna initially set a $200,00 fundraising goal for themselves after raising over $130,000 last year.

"Do It For The Kids! Do It For The Kids!"

When it came to raising funds for Kids' Food Basket with the Fill The Basket fundraiser, the mantra became "Do It For The Kids".

And do it for the kids, they did.

Individuals, families, and companies all across West Michigan donated to the cause. (And some of those companies got impromptu commercials that were entertaining, but not necessarily factually correct.)

In all, thanks to the generosity of the people of West Michigan, Free Beer & Hot Wings and 97.9 GRD were able to raise

$162,914

for Kids' Food Basket and their mission.

Thank you, West Michigan, for opening your hearts, your minds, and your wallets to help nourish the kids in our communities.

If you'd still like to donate, you can do so here.

If you're interested in volunteer opportunities with Kids' Food Basket, you can find all of the information that you need on their website.

Huge thanks also go out to friends at Rowerdink Incorporated, Michigan's Largest AC Delco Distributor, who made it possible for the station to run commercial-free for the duration of the fundraiser. 

Here are photos from the incredible day:

Check out pictures from last year: