Community Action House, Local Partners, WHTC
Guest User
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!

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July eNews

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Program Updates

Financial Wellness

A year ago, Sandra* and Mark* came to Community Action House with a dream of becoming homeowners, but they weren’t sure where to begin. Partnering with our Financial Wellness team, they took the first steps forward: reviewing their credit, building a realistic budget, and gaining the tools and knowledge needed to move toward their goal. 

One year later, Sandra and Mark returned with stronger financial footing and renewed confidence. They had saved thousands toward a down payment and nearly paid off their credit cards. After qualifying for a loan, their bank connected them with Jubilee Ministries, where they toured a home and soon placed a reservation. Last month they were approved by Jubilee to move forward with the purchase, and will move in soon! 

As they prepare for this next chapter, Sandra and Mark continue working with our Financial Wellness team—building savings for home emergencies and strengthening their budget to pursue their long-term financial goals. With the right support to help fill in the gaps, share expertise, and offer encouragement, neighbors like Sandra and Mark are building stronger financial futures.

*Names and photo changed for privacy

Outreach & Housing Access

Several years ago, Mateo* connected with our team while living outdoors and struggling to access food. With support from our team he received food assistance, but additional barriers to stability stood in the way. Mateo was also experiencing identity theft, and the false information attached to his name prevented him from qualifying for housing. For more than a year, our team partnered with Mateo to work through paperwork, documentation, and countless obstacles to resolve it. 

Once the identity theft was cleared, Mateo secured income and immediately began applying for housing. Together, Mateo and our team pursued every subsidized housing opportunity available in our community. But despite doing everything he could, housing remained out of reach. His income wasn't enough to afford market-rate rent, and the shortage of affordable housing meant he spent years on subsidized housing waitlists with no openings available. Through it all, Mateo continued living outdoors while our team walked alongside him—offering support, encouragement, and the essentials he needed to get by.

Earlier this year, the call finally came. After years of waiting, Mateo learned that an apartment had become available! With support from Good Samaritan to cover his security deposit, he moved into safe, stable housing in May. Our team helped him settle in with household essentials from the Resale Store, transforming an empty apartment into a home and a foundation for future progress. Today, Mateo is a Food Club member, giving him access to the healthy food he needs to thrive, and he's continuing to build stability by working with Good Samaritan on his financial wellness goals. After years of perseverance, Mateo finally has a place to call home.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Club

In 2024, Laurie was referred to Community Action House through our partnership with the Holland Free Health Clinic. Through our Healthcare Partnerships program, we work alongside local healthcare providers to connect neighbors facing chronic health conditions and food insecurity with healthy, affordable groceries at Food Club. For Laurie, that connection became the beginning of a healthier future.

Before joining Food Club, accessing fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods was a challenge for Laurie. Since becoming a Food Club member, Laurie says she’s eating healthier, feeling better, and has even lost weight. She enjoys attending Healthy@Home classes at Food Club, where she learns recipes that make it easy for her to cook fresh, nutritious meals at home. What stands out most to Laurie is the sense of kindness and community she experiences every time she visits. She often encourages friends to become members too, wanting others to experience the same support she’s found through Food Club.

At Community Action House, we believe everyone deserves access to healthy food and a supportive community. We’re grateful to walk alongside Laurie as she continues building a brighter, healthier future!

Community Kitchen

For more than 32 years, the Community Kitchen has been a place where neighbors find warm meals, connection, and support. Today, we’re celebrating an exciting milestone for the Community Kitchen: this month, the Community Kitchen will officially begin operating from its new home at the Salvation Army!

This space will be our new home, and part of a long term vision for even better support for our neighbors. Over the last year, community-wide planning efforts through the Project HOME initiative identified the need for a more integrated service hub where guests can access multiple forms of support in one location. The Salvation Army’s renovated space provides an exciting foundation for that vision, offering room for the Community Kitchen to continue serving healthy meals while creating new opportunities for connection, collaboration, and even more impactful services in the future.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Salvation Army, our friends at First United Methodist Church who supported our interim service, our volunteers, donors, and the many other partners who have helped make this transition possible. Most of all, we’re excited for what this new space will mean for providing even greater support, hospitality, and pathways forward for the neighbors we serve. 

Food Rescue & Partnerships

Last month, we received an incredible rescue delivery from our friends at The Farmlink Project: 24 pallets totaling more than 20,000 pounds of tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers! The Farmlink Project does food rescue work similar to Lakeshore Food Rescue, but on a national scale. They connect surplus food from farms and other food industry partners with hunger relief organizations (like Community Action House!) across the country, ensuring good food reaches people instead of going to waste.

When they offered us this truckload of rescued produce, we immediately said yes. Our Lakeshore Food Rescue team quickly coordinated with partner agencies across the county to determine how much each organization could use and how we could distribute the food efficiently. In total, 22 community partners received food through this rescue, in addition to our Food Club and Community Kitchen. Together, we turned excess food into food access for thousands of neighbors! We’re grateful to The Farmlink Project and proud to work alongside so many community partners to ensure perfectly good food ends up on tables, not in landfills.

Resale Store

The countdown is on! After months of exciting progress, our original Resale South location on Michigan Avenue is preparing for its Grand Reopening this August—and you can help fill the shelves.

Later this month, we'll reopen to accept donations as we get ready to welcome shoppers back through our doors. Every donated item helps stock our shelves and fuels Community Action House programs that nourish, equip, and empower our neighbors.

Help us stock the shelves by donating your gently used clothing, home decor, furniture, and household items starting July 27! Ready to donate before then? Drop off donations at Resale North (650 Riley Street) or schedule a free pick up for larger items.

Join Our Team!

As we gear up to reopen our Resale South location, we’re looking to expand our dedicated team of Resale staff members! Interviews are actively happening with official start dates this month.

Do you know a student looking for a job that works with their school schedule? Or someone looking to build a career in retail or customer service? Express your interest or share the opportunity here!

Learn more

Neighbors For Neighbors Was a Success!

We had an incredible time at our 23rd annual Neighbors Fore Neighbors Golf Classic last month! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and over a hundred neighbors joined us for a day of golf, connection, and community.  

We’re so grateful to Bradford, our presenting sponsor, for making this event possible and helping us build a stronger, healthier community!

Save the Date!

Raise a Mug with Community Action House!

Celebrate National Root Beer Float Day at our soda pop bar benefit, a fun summer event presented by Community Action House and the Holland Area Arts Council.

Thursday, August 6 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Holland Area Arts Council | 150 E 8th St Suite 200, Holland, MI 49423

Register Here!

In Case You Missed It

WOOD TV: Apartments under construction in Holland focus on accessibility

Community Action House's affordable housing project in partnership with Dwelling Place and other local partners focuses on accessibility, incorporating features that support residents with a range of mobility needs while expanding local housing options.

FOX 17: 8 organizations unite to tackle homelessness with Project HOME

Project HOME is bringing organizations together to tackle homelessness in Ottawa County through coordinated, community-driven solutions. We’re proud to partner alongside local leaders to create stronger pathways to stability for our neighbors!

Learn More
Read More
 

FOX 17: Holland's Hope Apartments nears completion

Construction is nearly complete on the first phase of Action House's affordable housing project in partnership with Dwelling Place! This 14-unit affordable housing development will begin accepting applications in July.

Tune In!

WZZM 13: Affordable housing in Holland nears completion

As Ottawa County grapples with a significant housing shortage, Community Action House's affordable housing project in partnership with Dwelling Place and many other local partners nears completion.

Learn more
 

WHTC’s Talk of the Town with Gary Stevens

In June, Financial Wellness Program Manager, Alicia Beene, joined WHTC to talk about National Homeownership Month. 

Tune In!

Sponsor a Community Action House Event

Sponsor a signature event like the Farm-to-Food Club Dinner, or CommunityFest to build a stronger, healthier community!

Learn more

Join The Movement

Donate Monthly

Provide a stable foundation for our service each month.

Volunteer

Volunteer time and talent powers our programs.

Donate to Resale

Donate gently used items to the Resale Store and get $5 off your next purchase.

WOOD TV: Nonprofit helps those in need on the lakeshore

This year, our Lakeshore Food Rescue program received an award for distributing farm fresh produce to local families! Learn more about Lakeshore Food Rescue and Action House in this recent segment.

Learn more by watching a recent feature on WOOD TV here!

WZZM 13: Affordable housing project in Holland nears completion

As Ottawa County grapples with a significant housing shortage, Community Action House's affordable housing project in partnership with Dwelling Place and many other local partners nears completion.

Learn more by watching a recent feature on WZZM 13 here!

FOX 17: Holland's Hope Apartments nears completion, bringing 14 affordable units to address housing gap

Construction is nearly complete on the first phase of Action House's affordable housing project in partnership with Dwelling Place! This 14-unit affordable housing development will begin accepting applications in July.

Learn more by watching a recent feature on FOX 17 here!

WOOD TV: Apartments under construction in Holland focus on accessibility

Community Action House's affordable housing project in partnership with Dwelling Place and other local partners focuses on accessibility, incorporating features that support residents with a range of mobility needs while expanding local housing options.

Learn more by watching a recent feature on WOOD TV here!

FOX 17: 8 organizations unite to tackle homelessness in Ottawa County with Project Home

Project HOME is bringing organizations together to tackle homelessness in Ottawa County through coordinated, community-driven solutions. We’re proud to partner alongside local leaders to create stronger pathways to stability for our neighbors!

Learn more by watching a recent feature on FOX 17 here!

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June eNews

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Program Updates

Financial Wellness

June is National Homeownership Month—a time to celebrate the stability, opportunity, and generational impact that come with having a place to call your own. 

Last year, Amber* was staying at a transitional housing agency when she connected with our Financial Wellness team. Determined to build a stronger financial future, she began working one-on-one with our Financial Wellness team to create a budget, strengthen her savings, and pay off debt. Month by month, Amber made payments on her debt, and with one final payment using money from her tax refund, Amber will officially be debt-free! 

While working with our team, she opened a credit card to intentionally strengthen her credit score and has committed to making consistent, on-time payments. After months of planning alongside our team, Amber purchased a home of her very own earlier this year!

Homeownership is now the foundation she’s building on. Safe, stable housing—whether that’s through owning a home, renting, or living in transitional housing—creates the space needed to plan and build a brighter future. We’re grateful to walk alongside neighbors like Amber and see her dreams turn into lasting stability.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Club

Two years ago, Amy’s* world changed overnight when her husband suffered a heart attack. The medical bills quickly drained their savings, and with her husband only able to work limited hours afterward, the couple struggled to keep up with everyday expenses. Amy’s parents, longtime Food Club members, encouraged them to join. Amy and her husband soon became members and were relieved to find stability and a welcoming community through Food Club.

As a Food Club member, Amy was able to access the fresh, healthy foods she needed to better manage her diabetes and support her husband’s heart health. With access to affordable, fresh, healthy food, Amy returned to one of her favorite hobbies: cooking meals at home for her family. Through our on-site Healthy@Home classes, Amy found encouragement and connected with others excited to learn new ways to prepare healthy meals on a budget. She shared that the classes helped ease much of the stress she had been carrying, and she especially appreciated the kindness and support she experienced each week. 

Now, one of her favorite traditions is bringing home the ingredients from Food Club after class and recreating the recipes with her daughter. Through healthy food, connection, and compassionate support, Amy and her family found renewed stability and hope for the future.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Outreach & Housing Access

Last year, Gary* connected with our team at Refresh while experiencing homelessness. He was facing serious health challenges, worsened by living outdoors, but was determined to build a more stable future. He partnered with our team to secure employment, improve his credit, and work toward safe housing. Gary began strengthening his financial foundation, but despite steady income and growing credit, finding housing remained a challenge.

For years, our Outreach and Financial Wellness teams have intentionally built strong relationships with local housing providers because we know connected, collaborative support creates better outcomes for our neighbors. Through one of those trusted partnerships, a private landlord notified our team about an available apartment. Gary applied immediately, and soon after, moved into a safe place to call home!

Housing created the stability Gary needed to begin focusing on his health and future. Since moving indoors, his health challenges have improved, and he’s now connected to ongoing support through Food Club and is eager to get involved with our Financial Wellness programming. With a safe place to call home and support systems in place, Gary is moving forward with hope and momentum.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Community Kitchen

When Cole* first connected with our team at the Community Kitchen, he faced a major barrier: without a reliable source of income, securing safe housing felt out of reach. Unable to work due to health challenges, we connected Cole with our friends at Good Samaritan, who began walking alongside him through the Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) application process to help him pursue steady income. At the same time, our team supported Cole in gathering the documentation he would need for housing applications.

Rather than requiring Cole to navigate unfamiliar offices and complicated systems alone, a Good Samaritan team member who specializes in SSDI applications began meeting him directly at the Community Kitchen. In a place where Cole already comes for a warm meal, encouragement, and trusted relationships, he’s been able to move through the application process side-by-side with a community that believes in him. Meeting neighbors where they are removes barriers, builds trust, and reminds people they don’t have to face challenges alone.

Cole has continued to move forward with hope and determination. Our team sees that resilience every step of the way, and we’re proud to walk alongside him as he works toward securing SSDI and, ultimately, a safe place to call home. We’re grateful to our friends at Good Samaritan for meeting Cole where he already feels welcomed and known, and for the way the Community Kitchen continues to serve as a place where organizations across our community can come together to support our neighbors.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Rescue & Partnerships

In April, Nelis’ Dutch Village kicked off their season with compassion by hosting their Opening Day Food Drive in support of Community Action House. Community members were invited to bring nonperishable food and personal care items in exchange for a day of free admission, and our community responded with incredible generosity!

In just one day, 7,720+ pounds of donations were collected—more than we’ve ever collected at the Dutch Village food drive! We’re deeply grateful to Nelis’ Dutch Village for supporting us each year through their Opening Day Food Drive, our incredible volunteers who helped us sort and stock, and to every person who contributed. Your support helps ensure that all of our neighbors have access to the essentials they need to thrive. Thank you for helping us build a stronger, healthier community!

Resale Store

Mary* recently moved into safe, stable housing after partnering with our Outreach team. As she began settling into her new home, Mary visited our Resale Store looking for furniture. While browsing, one item immediately caught her eye: a rocking chair. 

Mary was so excited to purchase the chair as the very first piece of furniture for her new home. She shared with our team why it meant so much to her: she couldn’t wait to rock her grandchildren in that chair when they came to visit. After years without a place to call home, her first priority was creating a place where family could gather and make memories together.

That’s what our Resale Store is all about. From neighbors, for neighbors—your donations help provide affordable household items to neighbors like Mary, turning empty spaces into welcoming homes. 

*Name changed for privacy

Join Our Team!

Want to be a part of stories like Mary’s? As we gear up to reopen our Resale South location in August, we’re looking to expand our dedicated team of Resale staff members! Interviews will begin soon with official start dates in July. Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Express your interest here!

Learn more

Save the Date

Celebrating Juneteenth with I AM Academy!

At Community Action House, we know that a thriving community is one where all our neighbors are supported, celebrated, and equally valued. This month, we’re celebrating with our friends at I AM Academy!

Shop with us at the Resale Store throughout the month of June, and 10% of store profits will support I AM Academy’s efforts to empower Black and multiracial youth to see their potential, experience joy, become confident leaders, and drive positive change. Learn more about their efforts at iamacademymi.org. 

Join us at I AM Academy’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival! 

Saturday, June 20 | 2:00pm-7:00pm

Kollen Park | 240 Kollen Park Dr, Holland, MI 49423

Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865, when the enslaved people of Texas finally learned that slavery had been abolished. Learn more about Juneteenth and join Community Action House in celebration at I AM Academy's Juneteenth Freedom Festival: a free, family friendly event, and enjoy live music, food vendors, fun activities and more!

Learn more

Pride Festival with Out on the Lakeshore

Saturday, June 27, 12:00pm-5:00pm

Kollen Park | 240 Kollen Park Dr, Holland, MI 49423

June is Pride Month, in honor of the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising: a tipping point event for the Gay Liberation movement in the United States. Celebrate Pride with Community Action House at Out on the Lakeshore's free, family friendly festival with entertainment, food trucks, resource booths, and fun for all ages!

Learn more

Meijer Simply Give is Back!

Right now, thanks to our friends at Meijer, your donation can be tripled! Up to $5,000 of double-matching funds are available for any gift you make before June 20, TRIPLING your impact for our community. 

Donate to triple your impact

In Case You Missed It

The Lakeshore: Gentex engineers help nonprofits improve efficiency

Last year, a team from Gentex Corporation partnered with our Resale Store to help us strengthen our operations to maximize the impact of every donation and volunteer hour.

West Coast Way: An Affordable Housing Project for our Community

Learn more about how Community Action House is partnering with Dwelling Place and other organizations to bring 52 units of urgently needed rental housing to Holland.

Learn More
Read More
 

Food Bank News: A Pioneering Model of Food Banking Expands in Michigan

Action House is proud to be part of the growing Food Club Network, a collaborative movement helping communities across Michigan reimagine food access through dignity, choice, and connection.

Tune In!

Rapid Growth Media: Michigan Food Club Network names leader to expand model

The Food Club Network in Michigan recently named its founding executive director to help more communities launch Food Clubs. We’re proud to be part of shaping and strengthening this movement! 

Learn more
 

WHTC’s Talk of the Town with Gary Stevens

In May, Joe Guzman III and Chara Bouma-Prediger joined WHTC to talk about Hunger Awareness Weekend.

Tune In!

Sponsor a Community Action House Event

Sponsor a signature event like the Farm-to-Food Club Dinner, or CommunityFest to build a stronger, healthier community!

Learn more

Join The Movement

Donate Monthly

Provide a stable foundation for our service each month.

Volunteer

Volunteer time and talent powers our programs.

Donate to Resale

Donate gently used items to the Resale Store and get $5 off your next purchase.

Celebrating National Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the stability and opportunity that come with having a place to call your own. At Community Action House, we’re proud to celebrate guests who worked with our team to achieve homeownership and housing stability! Each homebuyer story shows how support, connection, and financial education can help families take steps toward a brighter future.

At the same time, we know homeownership is one part of a healthy housing system. Safe, stable housing of different types—whether through renting, transitional housing, supportive housing, or owning a home—gives people the security they need to move forward with confidence and hope.

Local Context

Housing costs are making it harder for families across Ottawa County to find and maintain stable housing. More than 21% of households in Ottawa County spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs, making them “housing cost burdened” (Bowen National Research, 2025). 

The need for more housing is urgent and growing across every price level. By 2030, Ottawa County will need at least 3,938 more rental units and 12,526 more homes for sale to meet local demand (Bowen National Research, 2025). 

Stable housing of all kinds gives people the security they need to work toward their goals and build stability. For some families, that may mean owning a home. For others, it may mean finding an affordable place to rent. Together, organizations across our community are creating more accessible housing solutions for our neighbors.

Our Community 

Housing stability takes many forms, and no single organization can meet every need alone. In Holland, local partners are working together to create more pathways to safe, stable housing for families and individuals. 

  • Organizations like Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity help families achieve homeownership through new home construction and critical home repair programs. 

  • Jubilee Ministries supports first-time homebuyers by helping families prepare financially and navigate the path toward purchasing a home.

  • Our affordable housing project with Dwelling Place is bringing 52 units of affordable rental housing to our community in 2027.

  • Many organizations—including Building Men for Life, Gateway Mission, Good Samaritan, Family Promise, and Resilience—provide transitional and supportive housing options for neighbors working toward long-term stability.

Together, these partnerships are helping build a stronger local housing network where neighbors can access the type of housing support that best fits their needs and stage of life.

Financial Stability Leads to Housing Stability

At Community Action House, our Financial Wellness team helps neighbors strengthen the financial skills and confidence needed to pursue housing goals. Through one-on-one coaching and educational classes, guests receive support with budgeting, saving, improving credit, preparing for homeownership, and preventing foreclosure.

For many families, financial coaching becomes the bridge between instability and long-term housing security. Whether someone is hoping to purchase their first home, avoid losing their current home, or simply feel more confident managing day-to-day finances, our team walks alongside them every step of the way.

We see that impact firsthand through stories like Amber’s, who connected with our team while living in transitional housing with a goal to purchase a home of her very own!

A Safe Home Helps Build A Stronger Future

At the same time that building financial security can help lead to housing stability, having a safe, stable home first sets families up for a stronger financial future. When neighbors have stable housing, they are better able to focus on their health, support their families, pursue education and employment opportunities, and plan for the future.

Through our Outreach & Housing Access work, Community Action House partners with neighbors experiencing homelessness and helps them navigate barriers, access resources, and move toward security through safe, stable housing.

Homeownership is one way neighbors can build this security. For others, safe apartments, supportive housing programs, and transitional housing are the best next step toward longer term stability. 

We’re grateful for the many community partners, supporters, and neighbors working together to make that vision possible every day!

Learn More

West Coast Way: An Affordable Housing Project for our Community

Learn more about how Community Action House is partnering with Dwelling Place and other organizations to bring 52 units of urgently needed rental housing to Holland.

Learn more

From Crisis to Stability: Walking Alongside Our Neighbors

Learn the stories of more neighbors who have walked alongside our team last year to achieve housing stability through renting and foreclosure prevention.

Learn more

The Holland Sentinel: Holland’s Housing Crisis

In 2024, our friends at the Holland Sentinel shared a series about the housing crisis in Holland and highlighted the organizations, including Action House, working together to find solutions.

Learn more

Reference

Bowen National Research. (2025). Housing Needs Assessment Ottawa County, Michigan. 

https://miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/Ottawa-County-2025-Housing-Needs-Assessment.pdf

WOOD TV 8: Stamping out hunger in Holland this weekend

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, led by the National Association of Letter Carriers, is coming up on Saturday, May 16!

Community members are invited to place non-perishable food donations by their mailbox before 9:00 am on May 16. Postal workers will collect the donations, which will then be distributed to local food access organizations including Community Action House, Gateway Mission, Salvation Army, and Resilience.

Learn more by watching a recent feature on WOOD TV 8 here!

West Coast Way: An Affordable Housing Project for our Community

In the latest West Coast Way May/June edition, Community Action House was featured for our new affordable housing partnership with Dwelling Place, Hope Church, the City of Holland, and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Together, we’re bringing 52 units of urgently needed affordable rental housing to our community—creating more opportunities for neighbors to find safe places to call home.

A stable home acts as both a landing place and a launch pad. When neighbors have stable housing, they’re better positioned to focus on their health, finances, relationships, and future goals. This project represents what’s possible when communities come together to create lasting solutions. Read the full article on page 14.

Food Bank News: A Pioneering Model of Food Banking Expands

Community Action House is proud to be part of the growing Food Club Network, a collaborative movement helping communities across Michigan reimagine food access through dignity, choice, and connection. As highlighted in the recent Food Bank News article, the Food Club model is gaining national attention for moving beyond traditional food pantry systems and creating grocery-style environments where families can access fresh, healthy food in a welcoming, empowering way.

Learn more about how Food Clubs help build stronger, healthier communities by reading the full article from Food Bank News here!

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May eNews

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Our Biggest Fundraiser of the Year Starts Here!

Did you know? Our Neighbors Fore Neighbors Golf Classic is our single largest fundraising event each year—bringing together neighbors like you to fuel the work of Community Action House!

Grab three friends, coworkers, or family members and join us on Thursday, June 11 at The Ravines Golf Club in Saugatuck. Choose your tee time—AM (8 AM – 1 PM) or PM (1:30 PM – 6:30 PM)—and enjoy a great day of golf, connection, food, and fun.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just in it to power our mission, this is a simple way to show up for community, together. Gather your foursome and register your team today!

Register Today!

Need more information as you consider joining? Reach out to Ricardo at rvaldez@communityactionhouse.org with any questions!

Program Updates

Food Club

Years ago, Karin traveled across the United States and abroad, sharing her expertise in the pharmaceutical industry. But since 2020, finding work in her field has been a challenge. Despite her high level of experience, the current job market has made it difficult to secure employment. As she searched for her next opportunity, Karin struggled to make ends meet.

Last year, Karin became a Food Club member, gaining access to fresh, affordable, healthy food. She was glad to come to a place where she felt welcomed and supported during a difficult season. Living alone, Karin was also looking for connection. She began attending Healthy@Home classes, sharing, “I love cooking, but I don’t often cook for myself since it’s just me.” Each week these classes became something Karin looked forward to, and a reason to cook for herself again.

Today, Karin is cooking more often, using recipes she’s learned and ingredients she chooses at Food Club. She also connected with our Financial Wellness team to build a budget, learn strategies to catch up on her mortgage, and file taxes with our VITA program. Karin is also working with our partners at Michigan Works! to find secure employment.

Karin is grateful to have found community and care at Food Club. She believes that “Food brings people together,” and she lives out that value by bringing fresh vegetables from her garden to share with fellow Healthy@Home participants. We're grateful for neighbors like Karin who choose to be part of our Food Club community, and we’re glad to provide the support and partnership she needs to build a brighter future!

Outreach & Housing Access

Several years ago, Jenna* met our team when she was living outdoors. Working together, Jenna and our team navigated the complex web of resources that helped her qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher, and ultimately find stable housing in 2023! 

But last year, Jenna faced another challenge. Her apartment needed critical updates to remain livable, and she was unable to quickly find another safe option. With no other immediate housing, she began sleeping in her car. In that moment between challenge and crisis, Jenna knew exactly where to turn. She reconnected with our team, and once again, we walked alongside her. Together, we were able to ensure she retained her original voucher and began the search for a new, safe home.

A local landlord reached out to our team about an upcoming rental opening, and they were willing to accept vouchers. It was an opportunity that doesn’t come along often, and Jenna applied right away. Soon after, Jenna got the keys to her new home! Jenna expressed how grateful she was for our team’s support, and shared that it was comforting to work with the same Outreach Specialist this time around as she did three years ago. She felt known and safe with our team, and she trusted that we would support her and encourage her. Because of that, Jenna’s moving forward with hope. 

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Community Kitchen

Last month we had the joy of celebrating Shirley’s 95th birthday! Shirley joined our team of Community Kitchen volunteers in 2000, and is one of our longest-standing volunteers. She first learned about Community Action House through her church when they adopted a shift at the Community Kitchen. When our chef was looking for someone to help on a weekly basis, Shirley stepped in and she’s been faithfully serving ever since.

Shirley shared that the reason she keeps coming back year after year is because she wants to “do something worthwhile” with her time and help others while she can. She especially enjoys getting to know our guests and greeting them by name, creating a space where our neighbors feel known and welcomed.

Every day, dedicated volunteers like Shirley show up with warmth, generosity, and a commitment to making all our neighbors feel welcome at the Community Kitchen. We’re so grateful to celebrate Shirley on her special day and the care she brings to every shift!

Financial Wellness

We recently wrapped up our 2026 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. 

When Charlotte* sat down with our VITA team, we discovered that she owed over $20,000. She had filed her taxes incorrectly several years ago, and connecting with our team helped her get the support she needed to identify the issue, gather documents, and complete the paperwork needed to correct her previous taxes and file this year’s taxes accurately. With these steps taken, Charlotte no longer owes $20,000, and expects several thousand dollars back from her 2025 return—giving her the financial cushion she needs to catch her breath and begin taking steps toward a stronger financial future!

This year VITA volunteers prepared taxes for 605 families just like Charlotte’s, which brought more than $1.2 million back into our community (our biggest year ever!). We are so grateful for VITA volunteers, their expertise, and their deep compassion for our neighbors—thank you for helping us create a stronger community, one tax return at a time!

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Rescue & Partnerships

For years our friends at Haworth have helped nourish our neighbors in a fun, hands-on way. Last year, through their staff-run vegetable garden, they donated more than a hundred pounds of fresh produce to our Food Club, bringing healthy, vibrant options to the shelves for the 1,500+ families we serve each week. We love seeing our partners find creative ways to work together to build a stronger, healthier community! 

Want to dig in, enjoy the sunshine, and help nourish our neighbors? Consider growing a garden of your own this summer and planting a little extra to share! The vegetables your family loves are the same ones our neighbors are excited to explore new recipes with, strengthen their cooking skills, and learn how to make nutritious meals together at home. Together, these small acts of sharing are growing into health, hope, and stability for all our neighbors!

Resale Store

Hundreds of neighbors joined us for the Grand Opening of our new Resale North location last month! Together, we celebrated the hope, health, and stability made possible when we show up together through Resale.

Expanding our Resale network with this second store will more than double the funding Resale provides for Action House programs! This expansion, in partnership with continued generosity from our community, allows us to equip neighbors with the essentials they need today, while building financial resilience that ensures we can keep showing up for decades to come.

Weren’t able to join for the Grand Opening? You can still help us start off our new location strong: 

  • Donate – Your gently used items get a second life—providing essentials for neighbors and generating the funding that keeps our programs strong.

  • Shop – Every purchase stretches your dollar and fuels ours. If you shopped with us during our Grand Opening weekend, be sure to use the coupon you received before May 9!

  • Volunteer – Share your time and skills to help us keep our store running strong.

Our original Southside Resale Store location is now undergoing extensive renovations, and we're looking forward to a grand re-opening later this summer for Resale South. Stay tuned!

Join Our Team!

As we gear up to reopen our Resale South location, we’re looking to expand our dedicated team of Resale staff members! Interviews will begin soon with official start dates in July. Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Express your interest here!

Learn more

Celebrating Compassion in Action!

We had an incredible time at VolBASH last month! Each year, we gather to celebrate our volunteers and all the ways they nourish, equip, and empower our neighbors. More than 3,000 individuals give their time and talents to support our programs, contributing over $2.1 million in impact annually. Because of them, thousands of neighbors receive the support they need to thrive.

We’re so grateful to Comcast, our presenting sponsor, and the MillerKnoll Foundation, our Neighborhood Advocate sponsor, for making this celebration possible! Check out all the fun we had, and explore our photo gallery from the night here. 

Looking to turn your Compassion into Action? Join our team of dedicated volunteers! 

Explore Volunteer Opportunities!

Save the Date

Celebrating with the West Michigan Asian American Association!

At Community Action House, we know that a thriving community is one where all our neighbors are supported, celebrated, and equally valued. This month, we’re celebrating our friends at the West Michigan Asian American Association and their work to make this possible in our community!

Shop with us at the Resale Store throughout the month of May, and 10% of store profits will support the West Michigan Asian American Association's efforts that help Asian Americans access resources, improve their skills, and establish their own business and overall wellbeing. Learn more about their efforts at westmichiganaaa.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. Partners like these help make it possible!

Join us for Holland's Hunger Awareness Weekend!

Saturday, May 16 - Sunday, May 17

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 16, is led by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Place nonperishable items in your mailbox before 9am on May 16, and postal workers, along with volunteers, will collect the items to distribute to local food access organizations! Sign up as a volunteer to help sort donations here!

  • The Annual CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, May 17, 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 increase food access!

In Case You Missed It

The Holland Sentinel: Action House announces grand opening for new resale store

Our friends at the Holland Sentinel shared an article last month highlighting the Grand Opening of our new northside Resale Store!

FOX 17: Northside Resale Store opens in Holland, expanding access for local families

FOX 17 recently shared a feature highlighting how critical our Resale Stores are in funding programs that nourish, equip, and empower our neighbors.

Learn More
Read More
 

WHTC's Talk of the Town with Gary Stevens

Financial Wellness Program Manager, Alicia Beene, went on WHTC in April to celebrate Financial Literacy Month.

Tune In!

Sponsor a Community Action House Event

Sponsor a signature event like the Farm-to-Food Club Dinner, or CommunityFest to build a stronger, healthier community!

Learn more

Join The Movement

Donate Monthly

Provide a stable foundation for our service each month.

Volunteer

Volunteer time and talent powers our programs.

Donate to Resale

Donate gently used items to the Resale Store and get $5 off your next purchase.

Rapid Growth Media: Michigan Food Club Network names leader to expand innovative model

Lura Barber, Food Club Network’s Executive Director

Community Action House is proud to be part of the growing Food Club Network, a statewide effort expanding innovative, dignity-centered food access models across Michigan. The network recently named Lura Barber as its founding executive director, bringing experienced leadership to help more communities launch membership-based Food Clubs that combine healthy food access with supportive resources and connection.

Community Action House is one of the organizations helping shape and strengthen this movement, and we’ve seen firsthand how the Food Club model empowers families through choice, dignity, and community partnership. We’re excited to continue collaborating with partners across the state to build stronger, healthier communities! Learn more about the Food Club Network in Rapid Growth Media’s recent article here.

The Lakeshore: Gentex engineers help nonprofits improve efficiency

Last year, a team from Gentex Corporation partnered with our Resale Store to help improve efficiency and prepare for future growth. Using their expertise in production processes, the team worked alongside our staff and volunteers to identify ways to streamline donation processing and better coordinate volunteer efforts.

After learning about daily operations, the Gentex volunteers shared practical recommendations to strengthen productivity and maximize the impact of every donated item and volunteer hour. We’re incredibly grateful to the Gentex team for sharing their time, talent, and expertise! Learn more about how Gentex helped us strengthen our Resale operations in The Lakeshore’s recent article here.

FOX 17: Northside Resale Store opens in Holland, expanding access for local families

Our friends at FOX 17 recently shared a feature about our new northside Resale Store!

In the feature, they emphasize how our new northside location increases accessibility for residents in the northside of Holland. They also highlight how critical our Resale Stores are in funding programs that nourish, equip, and empower our neighbors. Watch the full feature here!

WHTC: Community Action House to Open Northside Resale Store

Our friends at WHTC shared an article this morning highlighting the Grand Opening of our new northside Resale Store!

The Grand Opening is this weekend, and we can’t wait to celebrate this new space alongside our community. Learn more by reading WHTC’s article here, and explore ways you can help build a stronger, healthier community when you shop, donate, or volunteer with Resale by visiting communityactionhouse.org/resale.

Join us for our Resale North Grand Opening!

Dear friends,

I’m excited to share a milestone that so many of you helped make possible: construction on our new Northside Resale Store is complete, and we’re ready to open the doors!

Our first Resale Store has proven what’s possible—turning donated goods and volunteer energy into steady income that directly fuels food, housing connections, and stability for thousands of local families each year. Our second Resale Store will build on that success: equipping neighbors with the essentials they need today, while building financial resilience that ensures we can keep showing up for decades to come.

Our team can’t wait to share this new space with you! You’re invited to join us for our Grand Opening Weekend, when we’ll officially open our doors, and celebrate this big investment in the future of our work.

Resale North Grand Opening Weekend

Where: Community Action House Resale North | 650 Riley Street, Holland, MI 49424

When: Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

What to Expect: Stop by during our grand opening weekend to see our new space, shop, and enjoy discounts, giveaways, and more!

Learn more: Grand Opening Details

Since 1969, Community Action House has become a trusted force for good in our community. Together, we’ve built solutions that are collaborative, sustainable, and designed for long-term impact—and it’s only possible because of the steady generosity of our community. Your support for our Resale Store, as volunteers, donors, and customers, makes this next big step forward possible. Thank you for helping us lay an even stronger foundation for our shared work.

We hope to see you at Resale North this weekend! 

With gratitude, 

Scott Rumpsa | Chief Executive Officer

P.S. This is a big project, and one that’s only possible because of neighbors like you who continue to believe in our mission. Thanks to many generous donors, we’re already over 85% of the way to the $3M we need to get this important effort across the finish line. If this is the type of project that excites you, we’d love to connect! Learn more here, and let us know if you’d like to meet to discuss this in more detail. It would be our pleasure to share more.

Join The Movement

Shop

Every purchase stretches your dollar and fuels ours.

Donate

Your gently used items get a second life.

Volunteer

Share your time and skills to help keep our stores strong.

The Holland Sentinel: Community Action House announces grand opening for new resale store

Our friends at the Holland Sentinel recently shared an article highlighting the Grand Opening of our new northside Resale Store!

We can’t wait to celebrate this new space alongside our community. Learn more about our Resale North Grand Opening, and how you can help build a stronger, healthier community when you shop, donate, or volunteer with Resale by reading the Holland Sentinel’s article here.

Stories of Hope. Pathways to Progress. Our 2025 Impact Report

Dear friends,

Since 1969, Community Action House has been there in the make-or-break moments, powered by a community that believes a stronger future is possible when we all show up together.  As we share our 2025 Annual Report, we’re reflecting on all of the ways this belief continues to drive our work forward:

  • Our Food Club & Opportunity Hub served more than 3,900 families in need;

  • We launched the Food Club Mobile Market to extend healthy food access to more of our neighbors;

  • Our Outreach team helped 159 unhoused neighbors secure safe, stable housing—the most homeless-to-housed success stories we’ve ever celebrated in a year;

  • We broke ground on our affordable housing project with Dwelling Place, soon bringing 52 units of urgently needed affordable housing to our community; and

  • We began construction on our second Resale Store, building the resilient financial foundation we need to power our work for the long run!

Read the Full Report

Stories like these don’t happen in every community. They happen here because of you. Because of the financial support you entrust to us. Because of over 3,000 volunteers who commit their time and effort to making this work possible. 

We show up for those who need it most, building collective action around what unites us: a shared belief that everyone deserves good food, a safe home, and the opportunity to build a stronger future. For 57 years, that’s been who we are. When systems change, when the world feels uncertain, when families turn to us—we are there, as an expression of our community’s compassion. It’s an honor and a privilege to be trusted to do so.

In our report, you’ll find stories from guests who walked alongside our team, read example after example of our community’s compassion, and see just how much our services have grown to meet rising needs. And while our programs have evolved, our purpose remains constant: no neighbor should face hardship alone. Change has shaped our work for more than five decades. We’ve navigated it by adapting as systems shift, staying rooted in our purpose, and doing the next right thing for our community—over and over—supported by neighbors like you.
Everyone deserves a community in their corner. I’m grateful and inspired by your continued belief and trust in our team, our guests, and our vision of a community where all of our neighbors can thrive. Thank you for ensuring that none of our neighbors have to face challenges alone.

Gratefully,

Scott Rumpsa Chief Executive Officer

Impact Snapshot

*Guest names, photos and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.

Read the Full Report

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