Each year, one quarter of the funds we raise is shared by local agencies working to combat hunger here in Muskegon County.  Agencies who are interested in being considered for local support fill out an application which is distributed in May of each year.  This year's recipient agencies are:

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CENTER  The Christian Community Center (CCC) provides a gathering place for neighborhood residents as well as after school and summer programs for children.  The Center is operated by Catholic Social Services (CSS) and serves nutritious dinners five days a week for 80 -100 guests. Meals are prepared by Vicky Diggs with help from community volunteers.  The Center is also a congregate site for a senior lunch program thru Nutritional Services.  CCC provides about 350 food baskets during the Christmas season.

CROP WALK money helps purchase food for the dinner program.

LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

Love In the Name of Christ (INC) helps people in need in many ways. The Muskegon CROP Hunger Walk helps support the 20 pantries located in congregations throughout Muskegon County. Love INC helps supply the pantries as needed. Persons needing help call LOVE, INC, who screen the request and then refer the persons to one of the area pantries.

MISSION FOR AREA PEOPLE  MAP is a growing ministry which works to meet the changes in the community. MAP programs include a Food Pantry, Clothing Pantry, sponsorship of a Girl Scout Troop and an emergency medical support program to help uninsured individuals in the community. MAP also has a backpack give away and serves close to 1,000 kids at Christmas time.

MAP also provides a Supper House where nourishing meals are served five nights a week, to an average of 120 guests. Many of the Supper House Guests are children.

CROP Walk money helps provide food for the Food Pantry.

MUSKEGON RESCUE MISSION  The Muskegon Rescue Mission exists to demonstrate and proclaim God's love to the less fortunate and homeless persons of West Michigan. The Mission meets basic physical needs, food, clothing, and shelter as well as spiritual needs.

The Men's Shelter on Laketon Avenue and the Women's and Children's Shelter on Peck Street provide three meals a day, along with snacks, seven days a week, and also serve walk-in guests. The Rescue Mission's food pantry is open twice a week and emergency food bags are available for those in need. The CROP Walk money provides food for the shelters and the pantry.

AGEWELL SERVICES (MEALS-ON-WHEELS)

Meals on Wheels, operated by Agewell Services for Older Americans, Inc., promotes the health and independence of older adults throughout Muskegon, Ottawa, and Oceana counties through its nutrition and related services. Meals on Wheels has over 20 luncheon sites where seniors can receive a nutritious meal in the company of friends and neighbors. Congregate sites also provide activities such as cards, interesting guest speakers, music and trips.

Meals are delivered each day to seniors in their homes by dedicated volunteers with assistance from staff. Eligibility for meals is based on age (60 years or older) rather than financial position. This program allows seniors to remain in their own homes longer by receiving a nutritious, hot meal every day. The CROP Walk money goes directly into the Home Delivery Program.

SACRED SUDS (Community EnCompass)

For the past three years, Sacred has been involved with organizing downtown Muskegon neighborhoods around the development of community gardens. They facilitate 6 garden plans that are implemented by community neighbors. The community gardens are a way for neighbors to spend time with each other on positive projects, and encourage sustainable food development in the downtown neighborhoods where there is no grocery. This sustainable food production has a far reaching impact on the overall health of our neighbors and neighborhoods. The CROP Walk money helps acquire seeds and seedlings.

SATURDAY BREAKFAST at 1^ST CONGREGATIONAL UCC

A complete breakfast buffet is served to the neighborhood of the First Congregational United Church of Christ every Saturday morning, with 200-300 guests enjoying delicious food, pleasant surroundings and good music. First Congregational Church UCC is located in Nelson Neighborhood, one of the City of Muskegon's poorest neighborhoods. Health resources are available. Feeding America mobile Food Pantry Trucks come several times a year, which provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Volunteers from the neighborhood, Service League, and members of other congregations & groups help in the program. The breakfast cost averages $1.00 - $1.50 per person. 

CROP WALK money helps pay some of these food costs.