GRAND HAVEN — The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation recently awarded $232,000 in grants, with $125,000 going to Love in Action for a new warehouse facility.

Over the past two years, LIA’s food distribution volume has increased by more than 50%, surpassing their current capacity. To support this growth, a new facility with 8,500 square feet of warehouse space will replace LIA’s existing donation processing center on Fulton Street and offer nearly double the space for storing and distributing essential items.

The updated design will also optimize operations, and enhance services for donors, volunteers, and community members, while continuing to be a centralized and accessible resource.

“The Foundation recognizes the valuable efforts of Love in Action to address increased food insecurity within the community,” said Holly Cole, vice president of grants and program at GHACF. “The new LIA Storehouse will provide care and security to our neighbors, and we couldn’t be more pleased to support their efforts.”

The new facility aims to enhance the quality and quantity of food offerings to better serve the community. Key features will include a no-cost client “store,” improved food distribution and refrigeration capabilities, dedicated spaces for donation processing and loading docks, and expanded opportunities for volunteer engagement.

“Love in Action is excited to announce the LIA Storehouse, a new facility that will provide over twice the space to distribute essential food and resources,” said Josh Bytwerk, LIA executive director. “This expansion comes at a critical time, as needs in our community continue to rise. We are deeply grateful to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation for their generous support of this crucial project, enabling us to better serve our neighbors.”

Additional community impact grants awarded:

Samaritas: Spring Lake Housing Community Navigation Services: $57,000

Funding will support navigational services for residents of a diverse, new, affordable housing community in Spring Lake. Working to identify and address challenges to housing stability, these services will coordinate programs and foster partnerships focused on access to childcare, education, transportation, employment, healthcare, and other resource needs.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County: Food, Agriculture, Research, and Manufacturing (FARM) manager: $50,000

This grant will provide collaborative support for the FARM manager role, which focuses on expanding student engagement in food processing education and career pathways, supporting minority and women entrepreneurs, and increasing the use of locally sourced food in schools and institutions within the region.

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, founded in 1971, aims to encourage philanthropy by individuals, families, corporations and organizations; and serves as a steward of their charitable funds and legacies. In addition to awarding grants, the GHACF also offers technical support to for-impact organizations, convenes community leaders on issues of importance, and advocates for the for-impact sector. For more, visit ghacf.org.

— Courtesy of WGHN-FM.

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