We're Grateful for Grants!

The Walmart Foundation's State Giving Program gave a $25,000 contribution to Community Action House for assistance with Emergency Services. The funds will help provide food services through our two food pantries to those in need in the Greater Holland area.

The grant was presented to CAH during a check presentation ceremony held on July 10th at our 14th Street location. During the ceremony, Archie Armino (Market Manager for Walmart), and Brian Butler (local Walmart store manager), presented a check to Mark Tucker (Exective Director), Shelley Shanafelt (CFO), and board members John Ruiter, Mary Duistermars, and David Huisman.

Additionally, we would like to thank the Heinz Corporation for a second donation of $5,000 to the general fund at CAH. Jerry Shoup from Heinz is shown in the photo above, presenting Jenn Boerman (Associate Director) with their donation.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued genorosity of our community!

Volunteer Profile: Jodi Shumaker

What do you typically do as a volunteer?

I volunteer two afternoons per week in the food pantry, assisting families in choosing food. I also help stock the shelves and organize inventory. I hav the privilege of meeting people in the community, blessing them with food donated by the community. Helping people through the pantry allows the staff to help more families in need.

Why did you start volunteering at CAH?

My sister is employed by Community Action House and told me about the need for additional volunteers.

What do you find most rewarding about volunteering?

I feel like what I do for Community Action House matters. Both the clients and agency benefit from my being there, and I get to go home and feel blessed.

The time that Jodi and other volunteers help in the pantry allows our staff to assist more families in need. Our dream is to have volunteers available each day the pantry is open. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jennifer Boerman at 616.392.2368 or through email. Thank you!

Quarterly Commodities Distribution

Community Action House has been providing food, clothing and shelter to area residents for over 43 years. Currently, Community Action House provides emergency food services to over 400 individuals, 40% of whom are children, each month. These food emergencies are typically caused by a short-term crises, including an unexpected expense or temporary loss of income. However, there are countless more families in the community that are struggling to meet all of their basic needs, living paycheck to paycheck, and have ongoing needs for food assistance. For these families, additional supplemental resources, like the Quarterly Commodities Program, is a good way to stretch their resources and provide for their family's basic needs.

Community Action House was recently designated as a distribution location for the Quarterly Commodities Program in Ottawa County. Food box items vary depending upon government surplus food, and can include anywhere from 11-20 different non-perishable canned items.

If you would like to volunteer on the next distribution day, please contact Jennifer Boerman at 616.392.2368 or through email.

Community Housing Partnership (CHP) Nominated for WOOD TV 8's Connecting with CommunityAward!

The Community Housing Partnership, a collaboration between Community Action House and Good Samaritan Ministries, has been nominated for the WOOD TV 8 "Connecting with Community" Award. Congratulations to both agencies and... the staff members that make this program such a success!

Community Housing Partnership: woodtv.com

CAH Receives Bank of America Grant

Bank of America generously donated $20,000 to Community Action House for our operating budget. This ceremony took place at their branch on South Washington in Holland. A huge thank you for an incredible gift!