Community Action House, Local Partners, WHTC
Nina Vestal
WHTC: Hunger Awareness Weekend

Tune into last week's WHTC Talk of the Town episode where our very own Assistant Director of Food Access, Chara Bouma-Prediger, and Annual Funds Manager Shanna Van Kempen speak on all of the events taking place this weekend during Holland's Hunger Awareness, and how you can get involved!

July '24 Lakeshore Food Rescue Update

Impact By The Numbers

June 2024

Pounds of food rescued - 314,622.10 lbs
Via LFR fleet and Food Rescue Hero

Pounds of food rescued at the Farmers Market - 6,505.5 lbs
Happening on every Saturday, since June 1, 2024

Pounds of food shared throughout our community- 182,177.00 lbs
Via LFR fleet and Food Rescue Hero

383.13 Tons of CO2eq* prevented from rescuing food
*includes transport to landfill, fugitive methane emissions, energy recovery offset, and landfill carbon storage

35 Food Rescue Drivers and 12 Farmers Market Volunteers
Rescued food through the Food Rescue Hero app or at the Market

135 Food Rescues Completed
Through the Food Rescue Hero app

Learn More About Food Rescue Volunteering!

Are you interested in learning more about Food Rescue volunteer opportunities with Action House? Join us for an in-person volunteer orientation. During orientation, you’ll learn how you can get involved and how you can help reduce food waste in our community!

Check Out The Food Rescue Hero App

Have you wondered what the Food Rescue Hero app is? And what it’s like to use it?

See what volunteers are saying about our Food Rescue Hero app!

‘Great first time experience. I really appreciate Joe showing me around the Community Action House Food pantry and food club. What an amazing program!’

‘So fun!’

‘Great instructions. No issues with the pickup.’

‘Went great. The food delivery recipient was pleased with the quality of the produce!’

Do you want to try the Food Rescue app or are you a volunteer in need of technical support? Check out the FRH App Technical Support resource on our Lakeshore Food Rescue webpage. Otherwise, please reach out to our team if your question is not there and we will work to answer it promptly!

Volunteer With Us at the Holland Farmers Market!

It’s summer time, which means our Holland Farmers Market is in full swing! As mentioned above, we’ve already received 6,505.5 lbs of food thanks to volunteers powering our market efforts! The farmers market is an essential part of our Lakeshore Food Rescue operations each summer, ensuring we’re capturing excess fresh, healthy produce that might otherwise go to waste, and making it available to those who need it most. We hope you’ll consider joining us as a volunteer this summer!

Join us as a gleaner! As a Volunteer Gleaner, you’ll help rescue produce that local farmers and vendors donate at the end of the Market. Collecting at the market wouldn’t be possible without volunteers powering gleaning each Saturday & we’re actively seeking volunteers to join this season’s Gleaning crew! 

Power our Produce Donation table! We provide a Produce Donation table on Wednesdays throughout the summer, powered by volunteers! As a volunteer, you’ll staff the booth, talk about Action House & LFR with interested individuals, accept and weigh produce donations, and clean up at the end of the day!

Please sign up to glean or collect produce with us this summer, or share the links above with your friends & family to help us spread the word. We’re thankful for our partnership with the Holland Farmers Market, and for the variety of opportunities to engage in the market throughout the summer. We’ll see you at the Market!

Want to get in contact with the Food Rescue Team?

Contact Joe (Food Rescue Coordinator & Volunteer Experience Champion) at jguzman@communityactionhouse.org

Oregon V. Johnson Supreme Court Decision

On June 28th 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson that individuals experiencing homelessness can be arrested for sleeping in public spaces, even when no other shelter options are locally accessible. Across the country, this decision means that unhoused neighbors may face punishment simply because they don’t have a safe place to sleep at night.

We’re deeply concerned about what this means for so many unhoused people in different parts of the country. And at the same time, we’re grateful to be here in a community that knows that arrests and fines do not solve homelessness. Wherever housing is scarce and expensive, homelessness increases. Here in our community, our team sees first hand the increasing strains on so many of our neighbors, and recognizes just how urgently more housing options are needed. 

Jessica Pressley, Program Manager, Housing Access, reflects on the decision made by the Supreme Court:

“Our team is deeply saddened by the ruling made by the Supreme Court. We recognize that criminalization only perpetuates homelessness and it systematically can limit our unhoused neighbors' access to services, housing, and jobs, while damaging their health, safety, and well-being.  According to research, it can cost a community three times more to enforce anti-homeless laws than to find housing for people who don’t have it.   We will continue to educate on the complexities of homelessness and advocate for our neighbors, right here in Ottawa County and the City of Holland, who have so few options for housing in a market with such limited stock. Homelessness is a housing issue! Our work will continue and for our neighbors working to find sustainable housing. We will continue to bring forward the need for long term sustainable solutions to ending and preventing homelessness.”

We are more committed than ever to co-creating effective solutions to ensure that all of our neighbors can thrive. Everyone deserves a safe home, good food, and the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their family. And everyone needs a community that believes in them - their worth, their dignity, and their potential.

We’re grateful for partners in our community who know that housing availability and human-centered services are critical factors in addressing homelessness. Every person has inherent worth - this truth lies at the heart of all of our collaborative efforts, and drives our partners and our team to find a better way, together. If you’d like to learn more, read our Outreach team’s work at communtiyactionhouse.org/outreach or read about the Supreme Court decision from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

June '24 Lakeshore Food Rescue Update

Impact By The Numbers

May 2024

Pounds of food rescued - 316,148.30 lbs
Via LFR fleet and Food Rescue Hero

Pounds of food shared- 187,783.50 lbs
Via LFR fleet and Food Rescue Hero

36.40 million gallons of water saved*
*water used in the growing process, saved from being wasted!

31 Volunteer Drivers
Picked up food rescues through the Food Rescue Hero app

151 Rescues Completed
Through Food Rescue Hero

Join Us At The Holland Farmers Market

It’s summer time, which means our Holland Farmers Market is in full swing! Our local market is home to over 70 vendors throughout the summer, featuring vast amounts of fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, cheese, eggs, jams, and much more! Lakeshore Food Rescue actively participates in the market in a variety of ways throughout the summer, powered by volunteers. We hope you’ll consider joining us!

We’re now actively gleaning at the Farmers Market, and we invite you to join us as a Volunteer Gleaner! As a Volunteer Gleaner, you’ll help collect produce that local farmers and vendors donate at the end of the Market. Gleaning is an essential part of our Lakeshore Food Rescue operations each summer, ensuring we’re capturing excess fresh, healthy produce that might otherwise go to waste, and making it available to those who need it most. This wouldn’t be possible without volunteers powering gleaning each Saturday & we’re actively seeking volunteers to join this season’s Gleaning crew! 

We also provide a Produce Donation table on Wednesdays throughout the summer, powered by volunteers! As a volunteer, you’ll staff the booth, talk about Action House & LFR with interested individuals, accept and weigh produce donations, and clean up at the end of the day!

Please sign up to glean or collect produce with us this summer, or share the links above with your friends & family to help us spread the word. We’re thankful for our partnership with the Holland Farmers Market, and for the variety of opportunities to engage in the market throughout the summer. We’ll see you at the Market!

Thank You, Inontime!

Our friends at Inontime Transportation & Warehousing have been incredible partners of our food rescue efforts! Each week, their team transports 15,000 - 16,000 pounds of food to our Food Club, and assists with our community’s Mobile Food Pantry.

Recently, Inontime generously lended their unused truck space on a return trip from Detroit to Holland to transport rescued food from the Detroit area. 

Partnerships like these are what make a lasting impact and our work possible - it takes a huge network of support to make sure our neighbors have the healthy food they deserve. Thank you, Inontime, for showing up for our community!

Food Rescue Hero Technical Support

For any Food Rescue volunteers in need of technical support, please feel welcome to  access our Food Rescue Hero App Technical Support on our Lakeshore Food Rescue webpage. Otherwise, please reach out to our team if your question is not there and we will work to answer it promptly. 

LFR Volunteer in need of help?

Are you an LFR volunteer and need to get in touch? Contact Joe at jguzman@communityactionhouse.org

May eNews: Foreclosure Prevention, Affordable Housing Updates, and Earth Day!

Program Updates

Financial Wellness

• • • • • •

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

• • • • • •

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

• • • • • •

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

• • • • • •

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

• • • • • •

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

• • • • • •

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!

Join The Movement

Volunteer

Volunteer time and talent powers our programs.

Champion

Host a Fundraiser or Donation Drive!

Give

Your support sustains and expands our service.

Affordable Housing Update!

Big news! Our efforts to bring more affordable housing to Holland just took a huge step forward. Last week, our partnership with Dwelling Place received a key award from MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority)! With this critically important LIHTC funding confirmed, we’re able to fully embark on next steps for our Affordable Housing Development, which will bring 52 high quality, affordable, and accessible housing units to our community. Groundbreaking is anticipated sometime this winter, and we can’t wait. 

"As we planned our 2021 move to our new Food Club & Opportunity Hub, we strategized on the best use of our former service headquarters at 345 W 14th Street. With guidance from Housing Next and in collaboration with our partners at the City of Holland, we dreamed of using our parcel to catalyze a larger mixed-income, affordable housing development, to play our part in addressing the critical housing shortage that impacts so many of our neighbors. We’re incredibly grateful to see this project move forward, and for the health & stability it will make possible for families in our community.” - Scott Rumpsa, Action House CEO

Read more about the new development by visiting WoodT8

Read more about the new development by visiting The Holland Sentinel

Read more about the new development by visiting The Lakeshore WM

Meet our Vice President of Development, Renee!

Renee Rivard is a dedicated educator and community advocate with a passion for fostering positive change. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Psychology and working professionally in the development field for twenty years, Renee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as Vice President of Development at Community Action House in Holland, MI.

Beginning with a strong foundation in secondary education and community outreach, Renee spent several years developing and implementing programs aimed at reducing food insecurity and providing essential services to youth and marginalized populations. Her early work with families provided her with deep insights into the systemic barriers that perpetuate poverty and social inequity. With a background in teaching, Renee is adept at communicating complex ideas and inspiring others to action. Her commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities has been evident throughout her career.

Moving into fundraising and development was a natural progression for Renee, driven by the realization of how critical sustained funding is for nonprofit success. At Community Action House, she uses her understanding of community dynamics and needs to effectively engage with donors and stakeholders. This aspect of her role involves advocating for the resources that allow the organization to maintain and expand its programs. By cultivating meaningful relationships, Renee helps ensure that Community Action House has the support needed to continue its mission of nourishing, equipping, and empowering the community. This work not only meets the organization's financial objectives but also bolsters its community-driven approach, encouraging widespread involvement in their shared goals.

In her free time, Renee enjoys cooking & collecting Polish Pottery, outdoor adventures, and time with her golden retriever, Dutch. She is deeply committed to the ongoing success of Community Action House.

Celebrating our Volunteers: Compassion in Action!

April is National Volunteer Month! We are what our community chooses to do together, and none of our work would be possible without volunteers. We are so grateful for the time, support, and hard work from our selfless group of volunteers. Whether you joined as an individual, or “adopted” a Food Club or Community Kitchen shift as a corporate or church team, you power our work. Thank you!

Meet Sharon!

Sharon has volunteered with us since may of 2021! She was doing food rescue at 14th street and when they transitioned to Food Club she heard they needed guest services volunteers, and was able to be trained with our staff members. Overall she loves getting to know the guests and seeing them every week. Although it is not easy, she truly enjoys helping them work through the intake process, and hearing their personal stories; the stories gives a sense that what she is doing is truly making a difference. Sharon loves our mission and feels that she is truly part of the whole organization. She knew she wanted to volunteer her time after retiring and found a great fit here!

Meet Dave!

Dave has been volunteering at the Community Kitchen for almost 3 years! He began his volunteer journey as part of a group through an adult program, but recently began joining us two times each week on his own. Dave loves to work, and is really proud to be a Community Action House volunteer. One of Dave’s favorite volunteer moments was when he got to celebrate his birthday with the team and guests! Another volunteer played the song ‘Birthday’ by the Beatles, they turned down the lights, and celebrated with him. Dave said that continues to show up because he loves the food, everyone treats him with respect, and the atmosphere is great!

Meet Sandy!

In 2017, our Community Kitchen operated out of First United Methodist Church (FUMC). When Sandy moved to Holland that year, she quickly learned about our work after becoming a member at the church! When her women’s group volunteered at the Resale Store, Sandy was hooked - she quickly signed up to volunteer on her own, and has been part of our team for the past five years. Her main tasks include sorting through and straightening clothing, preparing items for the sales floor, or prepping items to help stock the clothing closet at our Refresh program! Sandy shared that she continues to volunteer because the staff make her feel welcomed and appreciated - the team works together, is full of gratitude, and is accommodating for everyone. If someone asked her why they should volunteer with us, it would be because the work at the Resale Store is critical to supporting our mission at Community Action House. Thank you, Sandy, for being part of the team!

Meet Vicki!

Vicki started volunteering for us in January of 2021. She moved from the old site to here, and was mesmerized by the space and the size, but notices how we are already outgrowing it! She thinks the Food Club is a beautiful concept and loves how there is a level of respect given to the guests. She also mentioned how she believes that they deserve to walk into a store and see beautiful displays, so she works to make our produce look pretty. The concept of having a choice is great too, there are many cultural set backs that come from traditional food pantry and we are able to give them autonomy. Vicki said that volunteering here brings her Joy, it makes her happy knowing that this impacts so many people that need it. Although she does not get to meet the guests, knowing and visualizing how many people are helped every day is amazing.

Meet Holly!

Meet Holly! Holly has been a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Volunteer for three years, and her wife is a volunteer at our Resale Store! She learned about Community Action House through another VITA Volunteer, and realized that she wanted to get involved. Holly lovesvolunteering with us because it gives her an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. She truly enjoys spending time with other volunteers and with guests. Holly shared about a volunteer moment that sticks with her - during VITA, she worked with a guest who had never filed for a homestead property tax credit. Together, they were able to file for the last three years, and unlock significant financial support for our guest! Thank you, Holly, for your hard work to support our neighbors through VITA!

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more about the various roles available below!


March eNews

Program Updates

Financial Wellness
• • • • • •

It’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) season! Each year, a team of highly trained and dedicated volunteers works alongside our Financial Wellness team to offer free tax preparation assistance for qualifying neighbors. 

Our volunteers recently helped a young man who was struggling to make ends meet. He has sole custody of his son, and was not going to file because he thought he didn’t make enough money, and that finding assistance would be too expensive. Our team helped him claim significant credits that he did not know were available, and his refund was over $3,000!

In our third year as a VITA site, we’ve already served 49 households, and helped bring $480,957 in tax refunds back to our neighbors! Before the season ends, our team is preparing to assist 350-360 more families with their tax returns.

Outreach
• • • • • •

Happy Birthday Refresh! On February 21st we celebrated the fifth anniversary of Refresh Hygiene and Hope! In partnership with First United Methodist Church, Refresh provides a warm and welcoming space where neighbors experiencing homelessness can take a shower and receive haircuts, meals, mail service, clothing, and resource navigation services. 

In its five years, Refresh has grown and adjusted its services to provide more and more direct support for our unhoused neighbors - finding ways to fill in the gaps so that those experiencing homelessness have access to the critical resources and support they need to build stability. To our Refresh volunteers, community partners, and guests, thank you for building a space where all of our neighbors belong!

Community Kitchen
• • • • • •

In February, we celebrated “Heartfest” at the Community Kitchen! As a way to build community and celebrate Valentine’s day alongside our guests, we asked people “What are you grateful for?” and “How have you shown love recently?”

One guest shared that they’re grateful for “water, air, home, family, kids, and the [Community] Kitchen” - a reminder for our team that it’s easy to take the essentials for granted, but that for many of our guests, dignified access to basic needs hasn’t always been a given. We’re grateful for the Kitchen, where struggle doesn’t equal stigma, and where neighbors can find welcoming access to the critical resources that they need to move forward.

Food Club
• • • • • •

Last month, our friends at Jehovah Jireh in Hudsonville received beautiful, locally grown spinach from a farmer, but had more than they could use themselves. They contacted our Lakeshore Food Rescue team, and we were quickly able to pick up pallets, transport them to our own warehouse, and take some to our partners at Hungry for Christ!

Here at Food Club, members were able to choose the fresh spinach for 0 points! Our team member Laura was stocking produce when a guest shared that she had never tried spinach before, but because it was available at Food Club, was going to try it for the first time that night. They chatted about different ways to cook it, and the guest decided to add it to the pasta she planned to make for dinner that evening. We love when community generosity combines with our model of service to create new opportunities for our guests - from trying new-to-them foods to expanding their healthy eating!

Save-The-Date

Meijer Simply Give is Back!

Through our partners at the Holland Northside Meijer, your donation to the Meijer Simply Give campaign can help provide direct food access for our neighbors. Donate online by visiting, https://communityactionhouse.app.neoncrm.com/forms/meijersimplygive

International Women's Day Collecting personal care items on March 8th! 

At Food Club guests find not just fresh, healthy food, but also access to essential personal care items. Community donations help keep items like toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, and toothpaste available for members.

This Friday is International Women’s Day - if you’re looking for a way to provide direct support for women in our community, consider hosting a drive or collecting items to help us keep our shelves stocked with personal care items! When members visit us and find dignified access to essential items alongside resource connection, financial education, and a community of support, it helps them build a brighter future. Learn more at communityactionhouse.org/stocktheshelves!

In Case You Missed It

Alliance to End Hunger - A Holistic Approach to Food Access in West Michigan

Last fall, we had the pleasure of meeting our friends from the Alliance to End Hunger! We loved giving their team a tour of Food Club and sharing about our unique mode of service. Read their reflections on their visit and learn more about the Alliance to End Hunger by visiting the link below!

West Coast Way February Feature

Our friends at the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce highlighted our program Lakeshore Food Rescue in their February edition of The West Coast Way magazine!

Holland partnership celebrates five years combatting homelessness

Alongside our partners at First United Methodist Church of Holland, we celebrated five years of dignified, welcoming service for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. You can read more about the partnership and anniversary below!

Community Action House Update Feb. 14

Assistant Director of Food Access, Chara Bouma-Prediger, appeared on WHTC to share about Food Club and our food access efforts. Listen to the full segment below!

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.

2024 Black History Month Resale Takeover

Last month we celebrated black history month. A time to honor the achievements of so many Black leaders, creatives, and professionals.

We partnered with Women of Color Give! If you don’t yet know about their work to elevate and empower the BIPOC community, and provide a space for Women of Color to support the causes that matter most to them, we encourage you to visit their website at wocgive.org. 

Like so many of you, we’ve witnessed traumatic events across the country that continue to challenge us to reexamine our work and take bolder steps to build a more just, inclusive community. It’s been said that Black History Month is a time to “reflect on the shared experience of all Black Americans, whose lives have shaped, challenged, and ultimately strengthened America.” As we reflect, we also can use this time as an opportunity to recommit to a vision of a world without division or deprivation. For our part, we know our role begins with our values, and our commitment to welcoming, serving, and empowering all who call on us. To creating special places of belonging in our community, for those who need it most.

January Winter Weather Response

Each winter, dangerously cold weather conditions pose life-threatening risks for people experiencing homelessness. During January’s inclement weather, a network of community agencies worked quickly - coordinating and spinning up services in an effort to support neighbors who often slip through the cracks. 

Community Action House’s Outreach Team called, emailed, and sought people out on foot - connecting with more than 100 unhoused individuals before and during the winter storm.

The Police Department jumped in, transporting individuals and even providing car seats to help move families to safety. But for some unhoused neighbors, shelter remained out of reach, and time was running out.

Coordinating with Hope Church, Herrick District Library, and Community Action House, First United Methodist Church spun up an overnight warming center, aligning hours with other agencies to provide round-the-clock indoor spaces where unhoused people could escape the cold. 

Read more about our community’s winter weather response by visiting The Lakeshore or The Holland Sentinel. 

Lakeshore Food Rescue West Coast Way Feature

Our friends at the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce highlighted Lakeshore Food Rescue in The West Coast Way magazine this month!

Lakeshore Food Rescue Manager, Krista, shared about our countywide expansion in 2023, our utilization of the nationally recognized Food Rescue Hero app, and how partners like Bowerman Blueberries Farm Market are joining the movement to end food waste and fight hunger in our community.

Read the West Coast Way article by visiting https://www.westcoastchamber.org/chamber-media-videos/ 

Adjusted Weekend Schedule

Due to the weather, we will be follow an adjusted schedule beginning January 12, 2024.

Community Kitchen

1/12/24: Regular Service Hours

1/13/24: Regular Service Hours

1/15/24: CLOSED for MLK Day

Food Club & Opportunity Hub

1/12/24: Closing at 12:30pm

1/13/24: Open 12PM-2PM

1/15/24: CLOSED for MLK Day

Resale Store

1/12/24: Closing at 12:30pm

1/13/24: UPDATED - the Resale Store will be closed

1/15/24: CLOSED for MLK Day

January eNews

Dear Reader,

As we enter a new year, we’re looking back on 2023 with nothing but gratitude for what our community chose to accomplish, together. Your support as volunteers, food drive partners, financial supporters, cheerleaders, and advocates, made it possible for more neighbors than ever before to find the healthy food, belief, and partnership they needed to move forward. Thank you, for proving that we are a community where caring happens, second chances are creatively found, and our neighbors experience unrelenting kindness and connection. 

We’re celebrating countless stories of hope, health, and happiness - lives changed through the power of healthy food access, families building stability through financial empowerment, and so many instances of people in our community showing up for one another. Through your support, in 2023 we were able to:

  • Welcome and serve 3,500+ families at Food Club

  • Provide 66,000+ hot, healthy meals at the Community Kitchen

  • Help 59 formerly unhoused neighbors transition into safe, stable housing

  • Redirect over 2 million pounds of food to help feed our neighbors

  • Partner with 150+ guests through one-on-one financial counseling

What an incredible year! We invite you to celebrate with us, and take pride in the work that our community makes possible. With your help, we’ll continue to serve as a critical network of support for those who need it most - walking alongside our neighbors as they move from crisis to stability. As we step into 2024, we’re dreaming of (and planning!) bigger and better ways to ensure that no one in our community has to face challenges alone. We're glad you're here, grateful for your support, and excited to see what we can accomplish together in the year to come. 

Onward,

Scott Rumpsa | CEO

Program Updates

Financial Wellness

• • • • • •

We’re all about meeting people where they are - learning their unique stories, challenges, and hopes. And we’re all about lowering barriers so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow. For many of our guests, transportation challenges make it difficult to access support. Through our partnership with Herrick District Library, our Outreach team is able to offer case management services in a location that works for our guests!

Over the last few months, we were excited to add drop-in Rental Counseling to our services at Herrick! Rachel, our Financial Wellness Counselor, is onsite at the library every week, and has helped 27 neighbors with credit counseling, housing information, tenant rights, and more. Rachel and our Outreach team work in tandem to coordinate services, so that more of our neighbors can find the safe, stable housing they deserve.

Community Kitchen

• • • • • •

During the busy holiday season, our Community Kitchen team was determined to provide the food and connection that makes guests feel at home and the holiday season feel bright. Staff and volunteers served Thanksgiving brunch, providing more than 350 meals (an average day is around 190 meals)! The team also packed 130 sack lunches - equipping our Outreach team to share meals with our neighbors experiencing homelessness who weren’t able to join us at the Kitchen. 

The holidays can be especially lonely for neighbors who lack a community of support. We’re grateful for the many hands that make the Community Kitchen a warm and welcoming space so that all of our neighbors have a place to go for food and connection.

Outreach

• • • • • •

Shelley* experienced homelessness for many years. Struggling with addiction, Shelley and her daughter were separated. Over the last year, Shelley connected with recovery resources, mental health services, and worked alongside our team to access critical food, supplies, and secure a housing voucher. Last month, Shelley moved into safe, stable housing, and brought her daughter home - an incredible gift for our team to witness. Shelley and her daughter can now live together full time, and our team will provide support and connection as Shelley continues to build stability.

Food Club

• • • • • •

The Preschool Enrichment Class at First Presbyterian visited us at Food Club last month! Students learned about food access and ways that we can all support neighbors who struggle to afford healthy food. Their class helped stock-the-shelves with donations that they collected, recycled boxes, and learned about Lakeshore Food Rescue! 

We love seeing new generations join the movement to build a stronger, healthier community. We’re grateful for the parents, teachers, and community members who are working hard to teach our community’s kids about the importance of food and connection!

Special Feature!

Holland Community Garden!

Have you heard of the Holland Community Garden? Powered by volunteer gardeners, the Community Garden grows local produce year-round, providing fresh, healthy food for the Food Club and Community Kitchen! Even during these cold winter months, the team at the Garden is busy growing sweet potatoes in the hoop house.

In Case You Missed It

WHTC Talk of the Town

Jessica Pressley, Housing Access Program Manager, and Outreach Specialist Sean Holloway share about National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day and how you can provide support.

Second Annual Snowmelt Shuffle!

We kicked off the year with the 2nd Annual Snowmelt Shuffle on New Year's Day, with over 200 community members joining us!

Homeless Persons' Memorial Day

On Dec 21, we gathered alongside our staff, volunteers, guests, and partners to remember neighbors who died while experiencing homelessness last year.

Make a Difference in 2024: Support Our Resale Store!

Are you kicking off 2024 with some cleaning and organizing? Keep the Community Action House Resale Store in mind when donating items, and help power our programs!

Make a Difference in 2024: Support Our Resale Store!

Are you kicking off 2024 with some cleaning and organizing? Keep the Community Action House Resale Store in mind when donating items, and help power our programs! Our Resale Store represents a major component of our financial engine that powers the work of Community Action House. Every purchase, donation, and hour of volunteer service turns into thousands of meals served, workshops provided, and connections made. Recently our friends at the Holland Sentinel shared about the store, and how it is a great place to repurpose items that you want to get rid of. You can read the article here

Looking to shop, donate, or volunteer at the store? Visit our page here and learn more!

Second Annual Snowmelt Shuffle!

We kicked off the year with the 2nd Annual Snowmelt Shuffle on New Year's Day, with over 200 community members joining us! Together, we walked, jogged, ran, and shuffled to make a meaningful difference for our neighbors. Participants helped raise financial support for our programs, and collected essential winter gear items for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. The event was a beautiful testament to community spirit and collective action. Thanks to all who joined us!

You can read more about the event, and how it supported our work here

Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Recap

On December 21, we gathered alongside our staff, volunteers, guests, and partners to remember neighbors who died while experiencing homelessness last year. Our Outreach Team worked with 7 individuals who lost their lives in 2023. Together, outside in the dark and the cold, we paused to reflect on their names and their stories - and to sit in reality that our community is not yet a place where every neighbor has the opportunity to thrive.

As we move forward and shift into action, we will continue to say their names. We'll remember their stories, and reflect on the unique value that all people bring to our community. 

As the weather grows colder, our team continues to work with guests to meet critical needs, while building towards long term stability. You can directly support our unhoused neighbors by hosting a drive, or purchasing items from our amazon wishlist today. 


Read more about the event and Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day from our friends at the Holland Sentinel, The Lakeshore, and on WHTC’s Talk of the Town.

November eNews

Dear Reader,

November is Homelessness Awareness Month. This year, in the midst of a housing crisis and continued inflation, our neighbors experiencing homelessness face even greater barriers to finding safe, stable housing. The journey towards stability is all the more difficult, and feels even more hopeless, when there aren’t homes to find.

Addressing this growing housing affordability crisis will take all of us, working boldly and creatively together. For our part, we’re proud to be expanding our work by creating new affordable housing solutions. In partnership with Dwelling Place, we’re pursuing a multi-site affordable housing development in Holland. I’m excited to share that the project is moving along, with plans to add 61 affordable housing units with groundbreaking anticipated before the end of 2024. We’re excited to see progress - but we know that for people struggling with housing, right now, long term solutions don’t meet immediate needs.

Every day, our Outreach team works to provide critical resources - food, clothing, showers, and more - while partnering with our unhoused neighbors to pursue long term stability. Every day, our team learns the names, stories, hopes, and challenges of people in our community who are unhoused. And every day, our team celebrates stories of hope, and small wins, while walking with our neighbors through incredibly difficult trials. Since July, we’ve celebrated 15 homeless-to-housed success stories; each one the culmination of a remarkable journey that we’re honored to be a part of. 

Everyone deserves a safe home. Everyone deserves good food. Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their family. And everyone needs a community that believes in them - their worth, their dignity, and their potential. This month, we invite you to read guest stories, learn about housing insecurity in our own community, and help meet urgent needs while our team works one-on-one with guests to build towards a brighter future. As the weather turns colder, you can support our unhoused neighbors by:

Pursuing people. Partnering for progress. Delivering hope through action. All of our work is made possible through a community that believes in and supports our efforts - thank you for building a community where all of our neighbors can thrive.

Sincerely,

Scott Rumpsa | CEO

Program Updates

Financial Wellness

Jane* has worked with Tabitha, our Financial Wellness counselor, since 2022. Jane lives on a fixed income and owns a home, but doesn't have the financial foundation needed to withstand sudden changes or emergencies. When Jane faced an unexpected repair to her home, she soon fell behind on bills.

Tabitha and Jane worked together to apply for the Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund (MIHAF) to help pay for a large utilities bill. Her application was denied - but our team was determined to keep providing support. Together, they drafted an appeal, and Tabitha recently heard back from Jane - she was approved! Jane told Tabitha "Thank you SO MUCH for fighting for me!!! You are making a difference!!!"

Financial processes can be complicated and confusing. Tabitha shared, “I'm so thankful that Community Action House has taught me tenacity in fighting for our members.” We use our expertise to advocate on behalf of our guests - when they need help navigating complex systems, we’re there to do it with them and we don’t stop assisting until we find a resolution.

Community Kitchen

The Community Kitchen offers a gathering place where connections are made and doors to more resources and support are opened. Guests come for the food but stay for the connection. The Kitchen offers everyone a chance to foster genuine relationships and find a community of support. 

Recently during one of our weekly meals, the lights turned down, the room fell silent, and Chef Heidi entered the dining room holding a big, beautiful birthday cake with candles lit - all to celebrate one of our guests. Together, our staff, volunteers, and guests sang "Happy Birthday". For many, a celebration like this feels normal - but for someone who lacks a network of support, it's a special occasion to see a room full of people gathered to celebrate them. We're grateful for the many hands that make moments of joy possible for our neighbors.

Outreach

Our Outreach team provides “whatever-it-takes” care, actively seeking out and engaging with neighbors experiencing homelessness. Recently, our team met Seth. Seth came to the area to visit his childhood home, but found himself without the resources he needed to return to Florida where he had a network of support. Seth told our team he had leads on jobs there, and a place to live - but just couldn’t afford the ticket he needed to get back.

Over the next few days, Seth and our team worked together to confirm that he had a place to stay, then we were able to equip him with a bus ticket and transportation to the bus station. Within a week of connecting with us, Seth was able to get back home! We’re glad that our team could quickly help him return to a place of community and support - we're all about pursuing people, understanding their unique needs, and finding ways to build greater stability.

Food Club

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Martin* recently came to Food Club interested in becoming a member. After walking through the intake process, Martin shared that he felt unsure of how to navigate Food Club and wasn't quite sure how it works. Anita, one of our Guest Services Associates, quickly offered the help of one of our volunteers.

Long-time volunteer, Deb, took time to walk through Food Club with him, selecting groceries together and explaining more about how membership works. After a successful visit, Deb returned to our front desk and said how glad she was to connect with Martin - sharing that they met often when we were located on 14th street!

Knowing people and building relationships means we can provide better assistance and a community of support. We are glad we can meet guests where they’re at - whether it’s for groceries at Food Club, a hot meal at the Community Kitchen, or financial skills through our Financial Wellness programming - to make sure none of our neighbors have to face challenges alone.

Save-The-Date!

Giving Tuesday is November 28!

Help Deliver Hope through Action this holiday season.

  • This Giving Tuesday, help deliver hope through action! As more families than ever turn to us for support, we’re calling on community members to make this our most successful Giving Tuesday EVER. Mark your calendars, or donate early here to help us kick off Giving Tuesday!

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.

Homelessness Awareness Month: Stories of Hope

November is Homelessness Awareness month. Read guest stories and learn more about the experiences of our unhoused neighbors.

WHTC's Talk of the Town: Action House Update Oct. 18

Listen in to WHTC's Talk of the Town to learn more about our work, how you can get involved, and all that's happened since the opening of Food Club two year's ago!

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.

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