Program Updates

Financial Wellness

Tom (name and photo changed for privacy), reached out to us when he had no other options. Living on an annual social security income of less than $10,000, he feared he would lose his home after receiving a property tax bill that was more than a third of his total income. With one week before the Board Review Meeting, Tom and the Financial Wellness team had to work quickly.  

Tom and our Financial Wellness team worked side-by-side to complete an application for deferment of summer taxes, as well as an application for poverty exemption. After handing in the paperwork, and attending Tom’s review meeting together, they were informed that Tom was approved for a one-year exemption and could stay in his home! We’re proud to have a team that’s there during make or break moments like these, providing support and partnership to prevent a challenge from becoming a crisis.

Food Club

Food Club provides a membership-based, grocery store style experience where guests can choose the fresh, healthy foods that they love. With a sliding scale membership that gives guests points based on their household size, members find access to the food they need, without breaking their budget

Last month, Amy (name changed for privacy) discovered that she had extra points left at the end of her visit. Amy turned to the woman behind her, and offered to share her points! Grateful, this member offered to share some of her points with the next person in line, too. We're so glad that Food Club is a space where neighbors find support not just from our team, but from each other!

Outreach

Sam (name and photo changed for privacy) felt worried, disconnected, and directionless. Unhoused for the first time, Sam found himself without a strong network of support, and didn’t know how or where to start building towards stability. Looking for answers, Sam came to our Refresh program at First United Methodist Church. 

Uncertain at first, Sam slowly began to form connections and build bridges - between himself and others, between challenges and solutions, and from disconnection to community. As our team continues to provide support and work towards the goal of safe, stable housing, they’re encouraged to see Sam develop relationships with friends who have faced similar challenges, and finally have people in his corner.

We believe you can’t properly care for people if you don’t take the time to get to know them. Greeting people by name, learning their stories, and understanding the barriers they face helps build trust and allow us to hone in on specific areas where our team can be of help. We’re glad to have spaces like Refresh, where guests can access not just critical resources, but also the human connection that all of our neighbors deserve.

Community Kitchen

Each week, our Outreach Team eats lunch alongside guests at the Community Kitchen - learning about their lives, their challenges, and identifying areas that our team can offer support and connection. There is a tangible sense of community - neighbors sharing about their struggles with housing, employment, addiction, with a vulnerability that comes through trust built over time. And there’s also deep comfort and joy - birthdays celebrated together, small wins shared, and guests shouting “say hi to your wife for me!” like old friends do.

Many of the neighbors that visit the Community Kitchen for breakfast and lunch struggle with unsafe or unstable housing, food insecurity, and financial instability. Shared meals are one of the oldest and truest forms of care and connection; after they eat together, our team helps identify challenges and offers services to those who need and want them. We’re glad that the Kitchen can serve more than a meal, and provide a place where guests can come for food, stay for connection, and move forward with hope for a brighter future.

In Case You Missed It

CAH News & Updates

Looking to help address food insecurity in Ottawa County? There's an app for that

The Holland Sentinel: Lakeshore Food Rescue is utilizing an app to help recruit volunteers and expand its efforts combating food insecurity in Ottawa County.

Community Action House Update July 13

Olivia Campbell and Jessica Pressley of Community Action House talked about outreach to the homeless and other related topics during the monthly update on July 13, 2023.

Lakeshore Food Rescue joins national app to help end food waste

As part of their recent Lakeshore Food Rescue program expansion, Action House is launching the local use of a nationally recognized food rescue app!

Action House awarded funds for "Fresh Express" Mobile Market

Community Action House was awarded funds to expand healthy food access through a "Fresh Express" Mobile Market.

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