KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — God’s Kitchen of Michigan is announcing the hire of Demetra Lafayette to its hunger-relief charity.
According to an official announcement, Demetra is the niece of late co-founder and vice-chairperson, Joan Lafayette, and cousin of her son, Pastor William Stein, the co-founder and chairman of the nonprofit religious corporation.
On February 4, Joan Lafayette passed away of natural causes at her home in Battle Creek. Officials say she was a community activist, serving on numerous boards throughout the Cereal City and Michigan. Joan was a co-founder and vice-president of God’s Kitchen of Michigan for 10 years.
She retired in 2009 after 29 years of service at the VA Medical Center in Battle Creek where she served as a Food and Nutrition Service Supervisor.
Both God’s Kitchen of Michigan and sister charity Broncos Kitchen used her expertise to feed homeless and other food-insecure citizens living in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and Lansing. Demetra will succeed her aunt within both charities.
Officials add Demetra Lafayette is a Trust Operations Specialist at Greenleaf Trust in Kalamazoo. She has a background in the banking and finance industry with several years of experience in trust operations as well as fiduciary investments.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Western Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University.
God’s Kitchen of Michigan is a hunger-relief charity serving the homeless and other hungry citizens living in West Michigan. Free dinners are served throughout the week at First United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, and the Douglass Community Association in Kalamazoo.
