Holland, Mich. – Community Action House is marking the fifth anniversary of its Food Club and Opportunity Hub, a membership‑based grocery model that lets families choose fresh, healthy foods for their tables. Since opening in 2021, the program has delivered the equivalent of more than 7.5 million meals to local households.
“Over 7,900 different families have received healthy food assistance from this membership‑based grocery store right here,” said CEO Scott Rumpsa. “That’s over 23,000 neighbors benefiting with better food on their family tables.”
More than a pantry
Unlike a traditional food pantry, the Food Club lets members select the items that best meet their nutritional needs. The club is paired with an Opportunity Hub where participants can attend nutrition classes, financial‑wellness workshops and receive housing referrals. In the five‑year span, more than 1,500 families have taken advantage of those educational services.
The Hub has also generated 54,403 referrals to community resources, and volunteers have contributed over 100,000 hours of donated time, keeping shelves stocked six days a week.
Thanksgiving challenges
As the holiday approaches, the organization expects to serve more than 1,800 families with additional grocery support. Rumpsa explained, “It looks like everybody receiving a turkey if they’re choosing, and some additional food points to select the other foods that they want to prepare an extra special meal.”
He added that the goal is for the community to “show up in their corner to take a bit of the extra pressure off, so they can have those moments of respite and family gathering around the Thanksgiving table like everybody else.”
Rumpsa warned that the cost of providing those extra meals is climbing sharply. “We also purchase a lot of food, especially for the additional Thanksgiving groceries we buy,” he said. “Over the last year, the wholesale price of turkeys has increased by 40 to 50 percent.”
How residents can help
Community Action House is asking those who are able to consider a financial contribution to offset the higher turkey price and other holiday expenses. The nonprofit also operates two resale stores—Southside at 694 Michigan Ave. and Northside at 650 Riley St.—whose proceeds fund the Food Club, financial‑wellness services and other outreach.
“If you’re able to donate, donate,” Rumpsa urged. “And if you like to thrift, show up and shop, and those dollars turn into missional good right here in our community.”
Volunteers and donors alike are welcomed year‑round. More information about donating, volunteering or simply learning more about the programs is available on the Community Action House website.
Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.
