Ministry with Community was founded in 1978 by a small group of people led by Dorothy Markusse at North Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This group saw a need to provide basic services to adults with no other place to turn.

The Presbytery of Lake Michigan provided $10,000 to enable the Rev. Robert Rasmussen and his congregation to help people experiencing poverty, homelessness, substance use disorder, and mental illness. As the organization grew, two partner non-profits evolved — Housing Resource Inc., and Loaves & Fishes.  Partnership among the three organizations continues today.  MwC serves as the daytime shelter, resource center, and offers prepared meals; HRI provides housing assistance; and Loaves & Fishes provides groceries to those in need.

Serving meals in North Presbyterian Church started around 1982. The daily meal count averaged 99 people each weekday. To more fully serve the community, MwC incorporated in 1985 and moved to North Church Street.  In 2016, after a successful Capital Campaign, MwC moved into a new building at 500 North Edwards Street. Currently, between 400 to 600 meals are served daily. Both breakfast and lunch are served 365 days/year.