Community Action House set to open Food Club later this year
A render of the 16,000 sqare foot location at 739 Paw Paw in Holland, MI
Generous donor will match gifts up to $150K
Holland, MI—Local nonprofit Community Action House announced it will open a Food Club and Opportunity Hub in Holland later this year. The Food Club, which will be located at the former Yff’s neighborhood grocery location, aims to increase access to healthy food choices for low-income families in a grocery store-style setting.
In the final stretch of fundraising for the $4.25 million, 16,000 square foot project, Community Action House also announced that a generous donor will match gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $150,000 for the months of May and June. So far, the organization has raised $3.75 million, bringing them over 88% of the way toward their goal.
Construction and demolition began in March 2021 and the Food Club and Opportunity Hub is expected to open in Fall of 2021.
The building was formerly home to Yff’s Grocery
“Bringing the Food Club model to the Lakeshore will dramatically expand food access in a high-choice, high-dignity environment,” said Community Action House Executive Director Scott Rumpsa. “By engaging low-income neighbors through a low-cost membership fee, shoppers will have access to food and hygiene staples in a grocery store setting that features fresh foods and expanded hours to accommodate a variety of schedules.”
Community Action House’s Food Club will be closely modeled on Kent County’s existing Community Food Club, which states that more than 90% of its members have reported an increase in their consumption of fruits and vegetables. In addition to a grocery store setting, the Food Club will also feature an Opportunity Hub where Community Action House staff can connect community members to resources like financial education, housing and foreclosure prevention.
“With the guidance of Ottawa Food and the Ottawa County Health Department, we’re confident that this big initiative to address food insecurity and health will create a stronger community foundation so all can reach their potential,” said Keith Van Beek, Holland City Manager.
At the height of the 2020 pandemic, when unemployment hit record-high rates, Community Action House provided healthy food to over 14,000 individuals, 41% of whom were first-time guests. The organization projects that the Food Club will serve five times more individuals each month than their pantry at less than half the cost per meal.
“Here on the Lakeshore, we’re at our strongest when everyone has the opportunity to achieve a healthier future,” said Rumpsa. “We’re asking our community to help make this Food Club and Opportunity Hub a reality.”
Site development plan including transportation
Hundreds of individuals have donated to the campaign so far, including Carol & David Myers, Haworth, Inc., the Brooks Family, the Jay & Hazel Janssen Family, MI Health Endowment Fund, the Frey Foundation, the Dick & Betsy DeVos Foundation, the DeKock Family Foundation, the John & Judy Spoelhof Foundation and the Shine Foundation.
To learn more about the project or to donate to the campaign, visit hzfoodclub.org.
About Community Action House
For over 50 years, Community Action House has served our most vulnerable neighbors right here on the lakeshore. Our founders sought to organize a collective response of individuals, churches, and businesses working together to provide critical resources in a time of need, as well as assistance achieving mobility from poverty. We remain a community institution - where folks of all perspectives come together to create and sustain a community of support and opportunity for our most vulnerable neighbors. We focus our efforts in three interdependent areas: Food Access, Resource Connection, and Financial Wellness. We pride ourselves in being a place where people can come to us for the food they need right now, but can leave with a plan for a brighter future, and a partner in that journey. Our emergency response to COVID is currently emphasizing providing increased food assistance via modified delivery at our Food Pantry and Community Kitchen, deploying our Street Outreach team to assist our houseless neighbors, and providing Foreclosure Intervention services. Learn more on our website at https://www.communityactionhouse.org/
Media Contact:
Scott Rumpsa, Executive Director, Community Action House
srumpsa@communityactionhouse.org, 616.392.2368 x110
Contact:
David Lee | dlee@communityactionhouse.org | (616) 392-2368 ext. 126
Community Action House | 345 W. 14th Street, Holland, MI 49423
Twitter: @actionhouse345