How have gifts to Ministry with Community made a difference over the past year? Below is a snapshot of our service numbers and what donors made possible in fiscal year 2024.

Keeping Meals Accessible

Donor Impact: We were able to meet record needs by serving 181,883 meals.

The need for meals continues to rise and created another record-breaking year.

  • In FY 2024, we served 181,883 meals.

  • Between FY 2022 and FY 2024, the need for meals has increased by 49.5%.

  • We served 26,641 more meals in FY 2024 than last fiscal year.

Having access to prepared meals is important to our members. In June 2024, we were excited to bring seated meals back to our dining room. Each day, members fill the tables and enjoy their meals cafeteria style.  We’ve also continued to offer to-go meals after recognizing their importance during the pandemic. This way, members can take their meals back to work or eat on-the-go to make it to important appointments. Access to meals also helps members stretch their budgets for other needs.

Steady, Dependable Services Meet Basic Needs

Donor Impact: You helped us keep our doors open to serve 4,116 people.

In FY 2024 we served 4,116 individuals, 994 of whom were utilizing our services for the first time.

  • 11,765 showers were taken in our private shower stalls.

  • 13,856 loads of laundry were washed and dried.

  • 1,325 members received mail at our address.*

*It is important to note that not everyone who receives mail at our address is unhoused. For many, it’s a way to ensure that their mail is secure from roommates or relatives who may not have their best interest at heart. Others may have unstable living arrangements and using a consistent address for mail is key.

The Work Doesn’t Stop on Weekends

Donor Impact: We now have access to Social Services on weekends.

Our Social Service Workers often help our members take steps toward their biggest, lifechanging goals. In the past, our Social Services Team was onsite Monday through Friday. In FY 2024, we hired more team members to help our community on Saturdays and Sundays. With a full team working throughout the week, we were able to serve more members than ever!

  • 1,395 individuals met with a member of our Social Services Team

  • The Social Services Team had a total of 4,850 meetings with members to work on housing, employment, obtaining IDs, and much more.

IDs: The Gateway to Goals

Donor Impact: 210 birth certificates and IDs were obtained by members.

A birth certificate or ID is the first step to housing, employment, and other lifechanging goals. Many of our members need assistance with the complex process of obtaining these important documents. Thankfully, they have the help of our Social Services Team to assist them through the process. Having a bigger Social Services Team means more of our members have that help.

The Work Continues with Your Support 

A quick and agile response to rising need, the safety net we provide, the dignifying services we offer, the goals reached, and the transformations are made possible by our supporters.

Will you join our work and support our community members?

A Note About Needs in Our Community and State 

We are often asked if people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and other results of systemic inequity come to Kalamazoo because of our services and those of other local organizations. In past surveys of those we serve, we have found the number of people from outside of our town or state to be few.

There is and has been a need for our services among longtime Kalamazoo residents.