Program Updates

Financial Wellness

Recently, Julia* reached out to our Financial Wellness team for support. Despite Julia’s best efforts to pay off thousands of dollars in credit card debt through consistent monthly payments, high interest rates stacked up and her debt only grew. She felt overwhelmed and uncertain about how to move forward.

That’s when Julia connected with one of our Financial Wellness Specialists, Tabitha. Together, they explored different options, and Julia soon felt confident about her next steps. Just hours after speaking with Tabitha, Julia applied for a personal loan through a credit union and was able to pay off her credit card debt! Without the high interest rates through the credit card company, Julia felt equipped to pay off the personal loan with manageable, fixed monthly payments.

Reflecting on the experience, Tabitha shared, "We’re so thankful that we can provide guidance to our guests and encourage them to take steps toward a brighter financial future." Julia’s determination, combined with the right support, helped her overcome this complex challenge— empowering her to move ahead with confidence.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Club

Meet Sarah, one of our amazing volunteer Food Club Cashiers. For Sarah, volunteering isn’t just about scanning groceries—it’s about making connections and seeing the impact healthy food can have on our community!

Sarah’s favorite part about volunteering with us is watching the excitement on children’s faces when they get to choose fresh fruits to bring home. For many of our neighbors, it’s their first time having consistent access to fresh produce. At Food Club, kids are discovering how delicious and fun eating healthy can be—some have even told her that fresh fruits are their favorite food now! Sarah loves seeing the difference it makes, knowing that this access to nutritious food not only brings joy, but also equips the next generation with the tools needed to build healthier futures. 

Thank you, Sarah, for helping our neighbors find joy in nourishing foods and for the care you bring to every interaction!

Want to build a healthier community alongside volunteers like Sarah? 

Outreach

At Community Action House, we know it’s crucial to have a targeted approach that helps remove barriers for guests as they work towards stability. That’s why in 2022, we launched a partnership with Community Mental Health, which allowed us to expand our Outreach Team with the addition of a Recovery Coach. 

Our Recovery Coach, Jess, plays a pivotal role in breaking down barriers and providing specialized support for neighbors seeking greater stability, while also offering essential connections to mental health and recovery support resources. Since we've added the role, our Recovery Coach has already worked with over 30 neighbors to maintain sobriety and connect them with the services they need to move forward on their journey toward stability.

Recently, Jess had the opportunity to represent us at Recovery Fest, a community event that honors and celebrates those overcoming mental health and substance use challenges. The event not only celebrates the incredible strength of our neighbors, but also increases awareness about the vital resources available to our community. 

Community Kitchen

Richard* moved to our community a few months ago, living out of his car and feeling unsure of where to turn for support. With no way to store fresh, healthy food, Richard was looking for a way to access the nourishment he needed when he learned about the Community Kitchen.

Richard visited the Kitchen and immediately felt overwhelmed by the radically welcoming community he was met with. Though Richard initially went to the Kitchen to gain access to the nourishment he needed, he continued to come back for the friendships he built and the resources he was connected to. 

At the Kitchen, Richard began working with our Outreach Team and now has a stable source of income! With this in place, our Outreach Team connected Richard with a community partner who is working with him to secure safe, stable housing. 

Richard’s story is a reminder of the power of a welcoming community, where kindness and support nourish more than just the body—they empower people to move forward with hope and strength.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Program Highlight

36,000 pounds of potatoes donated through Lakeshore Food Rescue!

At Action House, one of the main ways we source food for our Food Club is through generous community donations. Earlier this month, our Lakeshore Food Rescue Team received a donation of 36,000 lbs of potatoes! Sheldon Weibe of Macgregor, Manitoba partnered with the Farmlink Project and shipped loads of potatoes all over the country. Through this donation, we were not only able to fully stock our Food Club with all the potatoes our guests could use, but were also able to share the wealth with our partner organizations Feeding America West Michigan, Hungry For Christ, Love in Action, and Jehovah Jireh! 

We are so grateful to Sheldon Weibe and Farmlink Project, for helping us build a stronger, healthier community! 

Save the Date!

Voter Registration at First United Methodist Church

Stop by First United Methodist Church on Friday, October 11th from 9-11am and register to vote, or find out if you’re already registered. Thank you to the League of Women Voters for sponsoring this event and empowering all our neighbors to have their voices be heard. Remember to vote on November 5th!

In Case You Missed It

Fox 17 Morning Mix: Hunger Action Month

CEO, Scott Rumpsa, shared on the Morning Mix last month about Hunger Action Month and opportunities for our community to get involved and help nourish our neighbors.

The Holland Sentinel: Hunger Action Month

Our friends at the Holland Sentinel highlighted opportunities for our community to get involved and help nourish our neighbors during Hunger Action Month.

WHTC's Talk of the Town

Director of Food Access, Chara Bouma-Prediger, shared on WHTC in September about Hunger Action Month and how our programs have grown in the past years.

Celebrating Compassion in Action - VolBASH 2024

Every day, across all of our programs, our work is made possible by hundreds of volunteers. Last month, we celebrated the incredible 2,300+ individuals who powered our service last year, turning their Compassion into Action to build a stronger, healthier community.

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