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May  2012 Updates


Here you will find, general Updates, Volunteer Opportunities, and informal information (such as what happen last month, what will be happening this month and what is scheduled for next month.)   These are notes from our volunteer staff meeting minutes and will be updated at the beginning of each month.  Watch our calendar, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LoveINCTriCities (or e-mails from Becky Tjapkes ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for additional updates and reminders.   Thank you for taking the time to visit our sight.  If you have suggestions, please don't hesitate to drop Jeanette Laarman a note at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We hope you enjoy.


General Updates

 

  • Update on New Store – Work is coming along nicely. Mary Crum has hired an assistant director who has started working at the Spring Lake store in order to begin training. Mary will be in charge of both stores. She will spend two days a week at each store and the fifth day will be split between them. Building codes are different for the new store than they were for the Spring Lake store. We have to make sure that the bathroom, drinking fountain and one of the dressing rooms are barrier-free. There is no date set for opening at this point. The sign is going up in three weeks. Insulation is there and needs to be installed this weekend. We have plenty of beautiful merchandise ready for the store.
  • Eric & Mark went to Jail! – Eric & Mark went on a tour of the Fillmore complex as part of a pastor’s group. Part of this tour included each of them being locked in their own cell for 30 minutes. They were able to hear two inmates share their stories. The undersheriff in charge of the jail said that he and the sheriff both want the faith community involved at the jail and as long as they are in office, they will allow that to happen. He did ask for prayer so that this partnership could continue.
  • Room Use at the Ministry Center – Eric shared that groups are beginning to sign out the meeting room at the Ministry Center and that Eric will often speak to them. Recently, a local chapter of the Red Hat Society met there and were able to tour Hope House. They were very impressed with the program and excited to learn about Harbor Hall.
  • Harbor Hall Men’s Shelter Update – On track to open the first of June. Mark has already been meeting with potential residents. As he meets with these men, he explains the program to them and the expectations for them to live there. Some are not interested in following a program, even though they seem to have no other options. Others are ready for change and even welcome this as something that they need in their lives.
  • Following Mark’s update, we were able to have a tour of Harbor Hall to see the progress that has been made. The library shelving is completely installed. The kitchen cabinets are installed and just waiting for the items from the kitchen shower. The large dining room is looking great – the floors are polished. There is an organ and player piano as well as an air hockey and ping pong table. The resident rooms are ready for the final detail cleaning and then for the furniture to be loaded into them. Finishing work is being done on the plumbing.

 

Last Month’s Updates

 

  • Rosy Mound did a birthday box drive – Mark Green received the boxes – These are ready to give to children that would not have had a cake on their birthday.  Included are cake mixes, frosting, party favors, decorations, cups and plates.   Children giving to children – how perfect!
  • Feinstein Foundation event raised. . . 3940 in food items and cash! 
  • Loutit Library Food for Fines collected 570 food items.
  • Furniture for the Men’s Shelter arrived
  • Life Skills Classes catalog!

 

Current Events and Actives

 

  • Our pantries are very low on food.  There are several events that are taking place this month to help inject food into our pantries.  Each organization took the time to organize these events to try to help meet food needs in our community. If you are planning to make food or monetary donations to our food pantries, consider making your donations through one of these events to encourage these organizations to continue to invest in the community in the future.   If you take part in any of these events you would be a gift to those putting on the event and filling God’s call to feed the hungry.
    • Ends May 19 – Meijer:   $10.00 Donation at Register, Meijer to Match
    • End May 7 - Wal-Mart food drive: Bins at store available so you can purchase items and drop them in the bins at the exits.  They are making it very easy. 
    • May 12 - Postal Food Drive:  If you put non-perishable foods near your mail box, the post office will pick up these food items and deliver it to one of three places City of Grand Haven will be delivered to Love INC, The Salvation Army or The People Center.   Please support our local pantries as our donations are really down. Volunteers welcome at Love INC at 11:00 a.m. to help with incoming food donations.

Special Projects or Group Volunteer Opportunities

Contact Jeanette Laarman for more information 616 846 2701 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Ministry Center

  • Stain the wooden areas of the playground set that are starting to wear
  • Weed Grace Gardens path

New Store – 948 Robbins Road, Grand Haven

  • A good Saturday Project – Fill the box truck with garbage by 10:30 and bring to the land fill (Landfill closes at 11:30).  While a crew of 1 or 2, is bringing the garbage to the landfill, a small group would be left behind to clean the back of the new store; fun but dirty project.
  • Outside cleanup – New store – Pull weeds, remove garbage and debris, etc.   
  • Remove Moss from Shingles – new store – In the front of the new store there is a small section of shingles.  On the shingles there is moss that needs to be removed.  This could be a 1 person team. This has to be done before the signs can go up.

 



Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Contact Becky Tjapkes at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 616.846.2701.

 

Donations desired

(Donations can be dropped off to 1106 Fulton St, Grand Haven):

 

  • Life Skill Classes:  Knitting Needles, Crochet Hooks, Quilting Batting and Backing
  • Pantry:  spaghetti sauce, tuna, helpers and chunky soups, Jams Jellies Canned Pasta

Last month there were lots of groups

(Thank you for being the hands, feet and light of Christ)

 

  • April 13 Are you thirsty? Serve... Grand Haven Christian School Middle School Service Day – Helped at the New Store
  • April 11, 18 & 25 Lakeshore Christian Academy helped at Fulton and the Ministry Center
  • April 14 & 18 Jericho Road Helped at the Ministry Center
  • April 16 & 18 St. Patrick Catholic Church Youth Group
  • April 20 Spring Lake CRC Fellowship Helped at the Feeding America Truck
  • April 21 St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Helped at the Ministry Center
  • April 21 Second Reformed Church Helped at the Ministry Center and Fulton Street in the Pantry

Last month it was suggested that we have a “Frequently Asked Questions” section on our website. We are looking for questions and/or suggestions.
 
 

Latest Events

Fri, May 18th
Kitchen Shower for Men's Shelter
Fri, May 18th, @8:00am - 08:00PM
The Love INC General Store will be offering 20% off anything with a snap. 5-14 to 5-19.
Fri, May 18th, @5:00pm - 09:00PM
Power House Gym - Workout Friday Night - No cash needed just a canned good.