Dear friends,
Just a few months ago, we shared an urgent need: a projected $150,000 increase in food purchasing costs caused by a sudden shift in federal food supply programs. It was a big gap to fill at an especially challenging time, with more families than ever counting on Food Club for the healthy, affordable food they need but otherwise cannot afford.
Today, I’m excited to share that thanks to our community, we closed the gap!
Over the last few months, 125 individuals, churches, businesses, and partners stepped up with additional gifts, cereal drives, monthly giving, and more - all to help close this unexpected gap. In the final stretch, our partners at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund joined in with a generous grant that helped push us over the finish line – fully closing the gap to keep healthy food within reach for families who are building a stronger future.
Generosity like this doesn’t happen in every community. This expression of care means that in the months to come, we can keep serving with the consistency and dignity that every family deserves. This amazing community response exemplifies our community spirit here on the lakeshore. Compassion and collective action are core to who we are. We couldn’t be more encouraged by just how actively our community stepped up in this!
And while we celebrate this moment, and the community that makes it possible, we’re already looking ahead to ensure we have plans in place to remain resilient, for all those who count on us. Because we know in this season, challenges like these will keep coming.
We’re leaning into our core purpose during a season of change – showing up for families, no matter the obstacle, to make sure that none of our neighbors face challenges alone. As families wrestle with changes to SNAP, Medicaid, and other critical supports, we know that our team’s responsive service will matter more than ever. We're ready to walk alongside families who qualify for these benefits so they don't get lost in the shuffle. We were built for times like these, powered by a community that believes a stronger future is possible when we all show up together.
And while we’re preparing for changes that impact our guests, we’re also building long-term plans that support our community’s growing needs. Right now, we’re moving forward with plans to open a second Resale Store—an investment that builds on our first Store’s success to generate consistent, flexible revenue to help power core programs like food access, housing support, and financial wellness for families in our community.
Through seasons of uncertainty, we’re focused on doing what we’ve always done: making sure neighbors have what they need to build a brighter future. That work is only possible because of a strong, compassionate community behind it. Thank you for believing in this work.
Gratefully,
Scott Rumpsa | Chief Executive Officer
P.S. - interested in learning more about Resale or other ways to power our work? We’re in the early stages of meeting with donors for our Resale project, and during times of change like right now, meeting our campaign targets is all the more urgent. If this is the type of project that you feel excited about supporting with a generous capital gift - I’d love to connect.
