Community Action House

Meet Sarah, one of our amazing Food Club Volunteer 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. We need more Food Club cashiers! Join Sarah and our other volunteers by visiting https://lnkd.in/ezzwdfdh. Just like Sarah says: “Just try one session – come and spend two hours, you can find something that you enjoy here!"

You only have a few more days left to shop with us in support of Latin Americans United for Progress! Shop with us until October 15th, and 10% of store profits will support LAUP’s efforts to empower Latinos to participate in creating a better community for all. Learn more about their efforts at laup.org. At Action House, we're proud to serve and celebrate all of our neighbors. We strive to build a culture, within our organization and our broader community, where all of our neighbors experience a profound sense of belonging. Our vision of a stronger, healthier community is one that supports, celebrates, and equally values all of its members.

Say hi to Laura, our Annual Fund Manager! Laura joined our team last month, and works closely with our financial supporters. With a background in Social Work, and a passion for sparking change, Laura was drawn to our mission of building a stronger, healthier community. Since joining our team, Laura has enjoyed connecting with donors. She's been inspired by the values and passions that drive our supporters to action - their commitment motivates her in her day-to-day work! As part of her role, Laura will work with members of The Community Table, our circle of dedicated monthly supporters. Laura is incredibly passionate, grateful to be a part of our work, and excited to support a mission she greatly cares about. Thank you Laura, for bringing your passion and talents to our team!

After a long summer, the days are finally growing colder. We're glad for a break from the heat, but our Outreach team knows that it's time to gear up to support our unhoused neighbors during the cold winter months. Right now, our team is working with over 250 neighbors experiencing homelessness. In the coming months, they'll help meet critical needs (coats, gloves, food, and other items) while working with guests to find stability. Corporate, church, and community donation drives make it possible for our team to continue providing these essential items. If you're part of a group, would you consider hosting a drive this season? Sign up or learn more by visiting https://lnkd.in/gVuz7dj8!

We were honored to welcome local author Tracee Bruce for a staff training last week! Tracee is the author of "The Systems that Shape(d) Black America" a book that breaks down the history that shaped and is currently shaping how Black Americans live in today's society. Over the last year, members of our staff and board have had the opportunity to dive into Tracee's work through a book study. We loved learning more from Tracee as she answered questions, walked us through different sections, and shared about her inspiration for writing the book. At Action House we are committed to listening and learning through sustained efforts to deepen our understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion - dedicating time and resources to become a better advocate, employer, and partner. We're grateful for Tracee's expertise and this incredible resource, as one way to deepen our team's knowledge! Thank you Tracee, for sharing your insights with our team!

As Hunger Action Month comes to a close, we're grateful for all of the neighbors who took action this month - volunteering, giving, and championing our work. Lasting change happens when we come together to build a stronger, healthier community for all. But food insecurity, housing instability, and financial challenges don’t disappear at the end of the month. Every day, thousands of families face impossible decisions that have a big impact on future health and happiness. The good news? We are a community leads with compassion, and believes in a future where all of our neighbors can thrive. By offering welcoming, dignified, and interconnected services, we're working to make sure that none of our neighbors have the face challenges alone. Your ongoing belief and support - as guests, volunteers, donors, and partners - means that we can continue to show up for the families who need us most. How will you take action? Learn more about ways to get involved at https://lnkd.in/gqfvaPzD

Today is International Food Loss and Waste Day! 🌍 We know that fighting food waste is a team effort. Through our Lakeshore Food Rescue program, we partner with local grocery stores, volunteers, and community organizations to ensure surplus food gets to families in need—not landfills. So far this year, we’ve rescued over 2.5 million pounds of food, and it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible collaboration of our community. Together, we’re working to end food waste, fight hunger, and mobilize community. Want to make an impact? Learn more and join the movement by visiting lakeshorefoodrescue.org #FoodRescue #EndFoodWaste #Sustainability #CommunityPartners #HollandMI

In honor of National Housing Counselors Day, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our Financial Wellness Team, Tabitha, Alicia, Rachel and Bill. These four certified HUD Counselors walk alongside some of our guests' hardest challenges, advocating and supporting them through every step. Whether it’s finding stable housing, navigating complex systems, or overcoming financial barriers, our housing counselors are there. Their partnership is key to helping our most vulnerable neighbors build prosperous, stable lives. Thank you to our team for making sure no one faces these challenges alone!

Have you wondered, “Where does all of the food come from?” Earlier this month, we were thrilled to receive a generous donation of potatoes! Sheldon Weibe of Macgregor, Manitoba partnered with the Farmlink Project and shipped 36,000lbs of potatoes all over the country. We were lucky enough to share the wealth with our partners at Feeding America West Michigan, Hungry For Christ , @Love in Action, and Jehovah Jireh! Ongoing partnerships with local community members, businesses, and organizations allow us to bring in food from multiple sources, decreasing waste and improving efficiency while also increasing access to healthy food. Thank you Sheldon Weibe and The Farmlink Project, for helping us create more food access for our neighbors! #HungerActionMonth #CommunityActionHouse #LakeshoreFoodRescue

Have you heard about our Fresh Fridges initiative? One of the biggest barriers local food access agencies face in providing access to healthy food is the need for cold storage and refrigeration. Launched in 2022, Fresh Fridges help increase the cold storage capacity of our nonprofit partners, making it easier to keep fresh items on hand for their guests. This summer, we expanded our Fresh Fridges program through support from our friends at the Junior Welfare League, installing refrigerators at the Boys and Girls Club of Holland and GUMchurch (Georgetown United Methodist) in Jenison! Learn more about the Fresh Fridges from our friends at The Lakeshore: https://loom.ly/tHrf5RI