KALAMAZOO, MI -- Trader Joe's gave over 15 tons of food valued at $60,000 to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission this week after the refrigeration system at the new store went down.

Greg Weaver, director of food service at the mission, said the donation of about 35,000 pounds of food Wednesday, Jan. 3 was the largest he'd ever seen in his two years as director.

Friday, the hallways of the walk-in freezer were so full that Weaver said the mission staff "will have to cook our way through" it.

About 95 percent of the homeless shelter's food comes from donations. "It's what we thrive on," Weaver said.

The volume donated by Trader Joe's was remarkable enough, Weaver said, but what really stands out to the mission's kitchen staff is its quality. Ribeye steaks, salmon fillets, orange chicken, high-quality cheese and produce are among the "wonderful products" donated, he said.

"It's one thing to eat food that gets you by. It's another thing to eat food that ministers to your humanity," Weaver said. "Every opportunity we have to uplift somebody's dignity through food, we aim to do it. Trader Joe's helped us accomplish that."

Sean Clune, assistant manager at the Trader Joe's store in Oshtemo Township, said the refrigeration system was down for about an hour Wednesday, but the $60,000 worth of food donated was within safety standards.

The store, which opened Oct. 12 near Costco, has worked with the Gospel Mission in the past, donating food and helping the organization feed those in need. "It's a great relationship," Clune said.

Weaver said Trader Joe's donates food every Saturday. Additionally, stores like Walmart, Meijer and Gordon Foods Service often help out the Mission, he said.

"Corporate social responsibility is alive and well in Kalamazoo. We are really thankful," Weaver said.

The mission responded to Wednesday's donation by the Trader Joe's with a a Facebook post saying, "We are so thankful that in the midst of their crisis Trader Joe's chose to donate thousands of pounds of food to us. We are so thankful for the support we have in our community to help feed and provide for the homeless of Kalamazoo."

Weaver talked Friday as kitchen staff prepared lunch of the "slop" stereotype and stigma of "free food." In fact, the term "free food" is not allowed in the Gospel Mission kitchen, he said.

And, Weaver said he doesn't agree with the phrase, "Beggars can't be choosers."

"If you're begging, you don't deserve a choice? No, absolutely not," he said.

People should be given the freedom of choice to help build character, according to Weaver. The goal of the mission includes developing people for success, which involves on-site job training.

"Homeless today, leaders tomorrow," Weaver said.