News Summary
Grand Rapids is set to introduce new household services for breast cancer patients and their families through Pinkn’ Patch, starting November 1. The nonprofit aims to provide support by covering essential tasks like cleaning, laundry, and lawn care, valued at up to $150 per household. This initiative follows a successful onboarding of patients and seeks to ease the burden during their recovery process. With strong community involvement through events like pumpkin painting contests, Pinkn’ Patch is committed to fostering a supportive environment for those affected by breast cancer.
Grand Rapids is set to launch new services aimed at supporting breast cancer patients and their families through the nonprofit Pinkn’ Patch. Starting November 1, the organization will provide essential household services, including cleaning, laundry, and lawn care, to help ease the burden on affected families.
Each household engaged with Pinkn’ Patch is expected to receive up to $150 worth of free services each month. These services will be coordinated through the nonprofit, which will cover expenses within a predetermined limit. Volunteers will have the option to donate their time or accept payment for their services, creating a flexible support system for both the patients and the service providers.
The initiative comes following a significant growth phase for Pinkn’ Patch, which began onboarding breast cancer patients on October 1 via its website and app. This rollout is a key part of the organization’s mission to offer tangible support to those facing the challenges associated with breast cancer.
Founded by Scott Packer, the nonprofit has been operational for several years and has gained visibility through unique fundraising efforts, notably the painting and selling of pink pumpkins. In 2023 alone, Pinkn’ Patch aimed to paint and sell 20,000 pumpkins to raise funds for breast cancer support. The initiative has inspired community participation through fundraising pop-up events where groups can purchase pumpkins to paint.
Setting the organization back were incidents such as a burglary at their Grand Rapids warehouse and challenges associated with a flawed business model. Despite these setbacks, Packer remains committed to the cause, highlighting the tenacity required to overcome obstacles in order to support individuals in need.
Emphasizing the importance of holistic support, breast cancer survivor and high school classmate of Packer, Sandra Swanson, has pointed out the necessity for emotional as well as financial assistance for patients and their families. This sentiment is echoed through Pinkn’ Patch’s activities, which aim to foster a supportive community for those affected by breast cancer.
On the first day of October, recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Packer and Swanson engaged in painting pumpkins, further promoting the initiative and raising awareness. Their efforts culminate in the Pinkn’ Prize pumpkin decorating contest, which offers over $7,500 in cash and prizes, scheduled to take place at the Grand Rapids Grand Prix on October 13.
Packer has noted the distinctiveness of Pinkn’ Patch’s pink pumpkins, setting them apart from other organizations in the field. Their approach not only aims to offer practical assistance to breast cancer patients but also hopes to create a vibrant community focused on support, awareness, and fundraising for a worthy cause.
Pinkn’ Patch hopes that the launch of their new services will provide valuable relief and strengthen the support network for families facing breast cancer, allowing them to focus on recovery while timely assistance manages day-to-day tasks.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 17 Online: Pinkn’ Patch Grand Rapids Nonprofit
- Wikipedia: Breast Cancer
- WZZM 13: Kent County Sheriff’s Office Going Pink
- Google Search: Breast Cancer Awareness
- KULR 8: Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office Wearing Pink
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cancer
- WZZM 13: Kent County Sheriff’s Department Awareness
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
