Program Updates

Financial Wellness

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Mary* and Bill* met Financial Wellness specialist, Tabitha, in the middle of a crisis. Having fallen behind on their mortgage, the couple’s home was scheduled for auction in three weeks. Mary and Bill had been told that there was “nothing that could be done.”

Tabitha wasn’t ready to accept that answer. Working as a partner and advocate, Tabitha contacted different agencies, finally reaching the HUD National Servicing Center who escalated their case and put Tabitha in contact with their loan servicer. Before the three weeks were up, Mary and Bill were able to secure a loan modification that allowed them to save their home!

Moving forward, Mary and Bill will meet with Tabitha to build a budget and pay off debt, learning financial skills and tools needed to achieve greater stability. We believe that all of our neighbors deserve a safe home, a network of support, and the opportunity to build a brighter future for their families. We’re grateful for a team that builds relationships, advocates for guests, and provides expertise and support on a brighter path forward!

*Names and photo changed for privacy

Outreach

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Meet Sean! Sean has been a Street Outreach Specialist on our team for a little over a year now, working directly with people experiencing homelessness.

Through the Outreach Team, Sean is able to offer low-barrier, high-dignity access to urgent needs while providing warm welcome, partnership, and support on each guest’s journey towards stability. Our team always celebrates when someone finally finds housing and a place to call their own - for Sean, seeing our neighbors happy, protected, and stable in their new homes makes all the difference in his work. Thanks Sean, for the care, compassion, and enthusiasm you bring to our team and our neighbors!

Community Kitchen

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April was Earth Month! At the Community Kitchen, our team hosted an event alongside guests to celebrate the earth and all of the beautiful fruits and veggies it produces. Guests chose and planted seeds for different indoor and outdoor plants, graciously donated by our partners at Eighth Day Farm. From flowers, to vegetables, to herbs, Community Kitchen patrons could create their own little home garden! 

We love seeing staff, guests, volunteers, and community members find shared joy in simple things like planting seeds. We’re grateful for the many hands at the Community Kitchen that help build a welcoming space for so many of our neighbors who need a space to rest, eat, and experience community.

Food Club

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Our Healthy@Home programming helps guests learn about healthy eating habits, nutrition, and offers cooking classes at our onsite Demonstration Kitchen! Guests can learn how to use new-to-them foods, cooking techniques to help manage health conditions, and sharpen their skills to make it easier to eat healthy at home. Our Healthy@Home Coordinator, Anna, recently hosted a “Kids In The Kitchen class”! Her daughter joined as sous-chef and helped demonstrate how to make chicken quesadillas. 

Healthy food builds the foundation for future health and happiness. For children, good nutrition is critical for development, and fostering healthy habits early on sets them up for success. We love that Healthy@Home teaches community members, of all ages, the knowledge and skills they need to nourish their bodies and minds.

Save The Date

Join us for Holland's Hunger Awareness Weekend!

Saturday, May 18- Sunday, May 19

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This month, two national events take place in Holland to support local food access. Action House is grateful to receive both direct food donations and financial support from these events, and we invite you to participate!

• The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, Saturday, May 18, is led by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Place nonperishable items in your mailbox before 9am on May 18, and postal workers, along with volunteers, will collect the items to distribute to local food access organizations!

• The Annual CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, May 19, is a nationwide movement sponsored by Church World Services (CWS) to raise funds to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Join us at Centennial Park from 1-3pm as a walker, to drop off food donations, or to learn more about local nonprofits working to improve food access! Learn more here.

Join us at The After Party! Thursday June 13th

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Join us for the second annual After Party! The 2024 After Party, presented by Bradford Company, is a fun, colorful fundraising event that raises support for our programs to nourish, equip and empower our neighbors. This outdoor summer party includes food and drink, live music, fun activities (including a Celebrity Art Battle!), Live Auction and more! Tickets are $100 and include appetizers, roaming dinner, dessert and 2 drink tickets!

In Case You Missed It

Affordable Housing Project Update!

We’re so grateful to share that our Affordable Housing Project recently received a key award from Michigan State Housing Development Authority! Learn more about the upcoming development!

Tax credit approved for Holland affordable housing project

We are excited to announce that last week, our partnership with Dwelling Place received a key award! Learn more about this upcoming development from our friends at The Holland Sentinel!

Listen in on WHTC's Talk of the Town

Krista Burgett and Aubree Carlisle of Lakeshore Food Rescue joined WHTC's Talk of the Town to speak on the growing program and food rescue efforts throughout The Lakeshore. Tune in to learn more!

Our 2023 Annual Report!

We're grateful to share our 2023 Annual Report. Read more about our impact last year!

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