Dear Reader,
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, volunteers, donation drive partners, financial supporters, and so many others rallied together to provide healthy Thanksgiving groceries for families in our community. Together over the course of two weeks, we were able to:
We are incredibly grateful for what our community chooses to do together. We are a community that leads with compassion. We creatively find solutions, we celebrate success, and our neighbors experience unrelenting kindness and connection. Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a brighter future. We're thankful for the community of support that makes our work possible.
We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy a wonderful holiday season!
Gratefully,
Chara Bouma-Prediger
Assistant Director of Food Access
Program Updates
Financial Wellness
Our Savings Club members celebrated a huge milestone! Savings Club provides workshops, tools, and a community of support for a cohort of individuals working to build their financial stability. With the goal of saving $25 a month for six months, members learn about savings strategies and money management. When they hit their $150 savings goal, they receive a $300 match for their emergency savings!
We are so proud that this past month, 9 of our members were able to celebrate reaching this milestone. It's our Financial Wellness team’s mission to ensure that our guests find the tools and the relationships they need to feel equipped, empowered, confident, and hopeful about a healthy financial future. Congratulations to our Savings Club members!
Community Kitchen
Meet Pete! Pete is a Community Action House volunteer, and his path to joining our team is a little different than most – Pete was unhoused for 13 months and accessed resources and support through the Community Kitchen. Pete began helping Chef Heidi for about 6 months, then realized he could formally become a volunteer! Now, Pete has been a regular volunteer for two years, found safe housing, and has even recruited others to volunteer alongside him.
Many of the guests at the Community Kitchen trust Pete deeply, because they know he’s been in their shoes. Pete shared that one of his favorite moments was when a fellow volunteer told him that she loved his shirt. He ordered her a one to match, and it still brings tears to his eyes to remember how happy she was to receive it. Pete says that the Community Kitchen really feels like a family - and we know that it’s because guests like him build a community of connection and support for one another.
Outreach
This past month our teammate Renee shared a meal with a guest named Marcus* at the Community Kitchen. Marcus asked if she worked at Community Action House, and when she said yes, he smiled and said that for the first time in years he is no longer homeless! After working with our Outreach Team and Good Samaritan, Marcus will wake up not in the cold, but in his own room with a roof over his head.
Marcus reflected on past winters when he worried about where he would stay, and feared slipping on the ice and hurting himself. His food options were scarce and unhealthy, he limited himself to one meal a day, and he had been diagnosed with diabetes. Marcus said that this year is different - he’s excited to become a Food Club member, and shared “I don’t have to worry so much about being hungry, because I come here to the Community Kitchen for a meal every day.”
As the weather grows colder, we know there are too many neighbors in the same spot that Marcus was last winter. His story gives us hope as our team continues to meet critical needs, while working towards long term stability for our unhoused neighbors.
Food Club
Jacob* has been a Food Club member for several months. Our team has had the pleasure of getting to know him well - Jacob is visually impaired, and each time he visits Food Club he’s met by longtime volunteer Deb, who spends time helping Jacob find the items he needs. Deb knows his favorite kind of oatmeal, the type of cottage cheese he likes, and loves chatting with Jacob in the checkout line.
It takes the time and compassion of so many people to make experiences like Jacob’s possible! Volunteers like Deb provide the relationship-based service that we’re all about, and make sure that guests find healthy food AND a community of support. When the front desk calls Deb over the walkie-talkie, she knows her friend Jacob is there!
*Guest names and photos changed for privacy.
Save-The-Date!
Homeless Person's Memorial Day
December 21
• • • • • •
December 21 is National Homeless Persons Memorial Day - when communities around the country pause to remember neighbors who lost their lives while experiencing homelessness.
Community members are invited to observe a moment of silence from 12:00pm-12:08pm on Dec 21 to honor the seven individuals working with Action House, as well as those who may have passed away unknown to our team, while experiencing homelessness in 2023.
Community Action House will be hosting a memorial from 5pm-7pm on December 21 at 739 Paw Paw Drive. All are invited to join for candle lighting and reflection, with remarks beginning at 5:15pm.
Community members who feel called to action are welcome to support our unhoused neighbors by collecting items from our winter gear list, or purchasing from our Outreach wishlist.
Join us for the Snowmelt Shuffle 5k!
January 1, 2024 | 9:30am at Pillar Church
• • • • • •
Get your shuffle on in the New Year! The second annual Snowmelt Shuffle 5k is your chance to get outside with friends, family, and your community and start the New Year off with exercise and fun! Walk, jog, or run along Downtown Holland's snowmelt system!
Register online here and donate-what-you-want to support Community Action House.
In Case You Missed It
Tune in on Fox17!
For over 50 years, Action House has expanded service during Thanksgiving to take pressure off of families and provide moments of joy. Join Action House CEO on Fox17's Morning Mix to learn more about how you can support our work.
SpartanNash Foundation Launches Fundraiser this Holiday Season
Since 2016, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised more than $2 million through annual in-store fundraisers to benefit food pantry partners.
Community Action House Update Nov. 22
Shanna VanKempen, Annual Fund Manager, and Chara Bouma-Prediger, Assistant Director of Food Access with Community Action House, talked about holiday efforts and Giving Tuesday goals.
Low-income housing projects in Holland combine to secure approval
We're proud to expand our work by creating new affordable housing solutions. In partnership with Dwelling Place, we're pursuing a multi-site affordable housing development.
Join The Movement
Volunteer
Volunteer time and talent powers our programs.
Donate Monthly
Provide a stable foundation for our service each month.
Apply
Use your skills to make a difference.
