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When I volunteer at FROM’s Mobile Food Pantry, I see myself in every vehicle that pulls up, pops their trunk and leaves with a few boxes of food.

In the Fall of 2001, I stood in line at the Kent County Youth Fair Grounds with a couple of bags under my arm waiting for the doors at Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) Mobile Food Pantry to open.

I had been let go from a well-paying job and found myself on unemployment just 12 months after purchasing a new home in downtown Lowell and a new car.

I quickly burnt through my savings and lived off from a part-time job and unemployment checks. I took a second part-time job selling Christmas trees at a local farm stand because I didn’t want to live off from just unemployment… and, I couldn’t. I was required to claim that income which dramatically reduced my unemployment benefits.

With a lot of budgeting, coupon cutting and food from FROM, I was able to make ends meet until I landed my current job that following summer.

Our neighbors who utilize FROM’s Mobile Food Pantry (and more than a dozen other programs at FROM) have found themselves in a situation where they’ve realized they need a little help.

For most of us it takes a lot to ask, show up and receive help. It sure was for me.

I remember seeing people I knew handing me food. I felt ashamed and embarrassed at first, but then I could see their compassion in their eyes, love in their smiles and generosity in their hands. They were there to help unconditionally, no matter what.

If you need help, you can come to FROM. And if you want to help others, the answer is the same: you can come to FROM to volunteer, drop off your unwanted treasures to the thrift store or donate your financial blessings generously.

As we continue to welcome Dolores to the Treasures Thrift Store team, we conducted an interview to get to know her a little better.  

 Dolores found FROM as a volunteer in November 2019, after defeating cancer and losing her mother and husband earlier that year.  

 “This was something I needed to fill my time, and everyone was so welcoming,” she said. “This filled a void.” 

 Seeing and connecting with new people in the Thrift Store and at the Front Desk is part of why she loves FROM so much. “I’ve always had the gift to gab,” Dolores says. 

 Dolores transitioned from a volunteer to a staff member in late 2021 to help fill gaps at Treasures Thrift Store. 

 “I’m so excited to have this position which, along with our amazing volunteers, will give us the opportunity to provide the necessary coverage to help fill our gaps as well as help us provide the best shopping experience for our customers,” Laura, Thrift Store Manager, said. 

 Here are a couple fun facts about Dolores as well… 

• She spends her Monday’s dog sitting her granddaughters golden retriever puppy.  
• She and her husband lived on a golf course for 20 years and loved to golf together! 

 Dolores has already been a valuable addition to the FROM team in aiding to resolve the cashiering schedule issues.  

 Welcome, Dolores, we are so glad you’re here! 

Laura, our Thrift Store Manager, has been on staff for just over a month! To celebrate, we’ve invited her to answer a few questions so we can all get to know her better! Enjoy!

Tell us a little about yourself!

I moved to the Lowell area with my husband and two daughters, a little over a year ago from Battle Creek to be closer to my parents. I grew up in the Grand Rapids area, so it’s been fun to re-explore the area and familiarize myself with all the outdoor recreational opportunities that Lowell has to offer. I enjoy spending time with my family traveling, cooking, and playing pickle ball.

What drew you to FROM?

I was inspired by FROM’s mission to be the community hub for hope, resources and gifts.  I saw the FROM Store Manager position as an opportunity for me to leverage my experience in the Retail Industry in a non-profit setting and give back to the community in which I live.

What did you do prior to joining the FROM staff?

I have worked in the Retail/Clothing Industry throughout my career in various capacities, from Sales Manager/Assistant Store Manager, Merchandise Manager, Operations Manager, Product Analyst, Human Resources Manager to Business Administration Manager and was most recently employed by Macy’s for the past 11 years. I enjoy Retail, most especially working with people, and saw the Thrift Store Manager role as a rewarding opportunity to put my experience to work in a non-profit setting.

What have you enjoyed the most in your first month as the Thrift Store Manager?

My favorite part of the job is working with such a talented team of staff and volunteers whose mission is to provide resources for the Lowell community.  I have been very impressed by the dedication, passion and commitment of the volunteers and staff to make FROM a success. I am excited to be part of this organization and their mission to support the Lowell community.

Which of FROMs values sticks out to you the most / what makes you most passionate about being part of the FROM team?

I am aligned with FROM’s values….most especially, “Equity” in achieving our mission for all people. I saw the FROM Store Manager position as an opportunity for me to make a positive impact on the community by leveraging my experience in the Retail Industry to help achieve equal access and opportunities to help meet the needs of the community.

What’s a random fact about yourself?

I love to travel and my goal is to visit all 50 states….I have 4 more states to visit in order to hit 50 – Mississippi, Louisiana, Idaho, and Alaska!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Sable Choals found herself volunteering in 2016, she was in a dark place.

 

Her mom had recently passed away, as well as her best friend. Around the same time, a traffic stop led to losing her license, which took away her ability to care for her ailing step-father and needing to complete community service.

 

She started coming in at 7:30 AM, after getting off work as a chemist, to clean and vacuum – and anything else she could help with.

 

“I was welcomed, I never felt judged,” Sable said.

 

Along the way, she met and befriended other volunteers who offered listening ears and encouragement to her – without judgement.

 

“If it had not been for Marcia [Kapolka] and me having that outlet to listen and not judge me, I really don’t know where I would have went,” Sable said. “She just lifted me up and told me everything was going to be OK.”

Sable finished her community service early, and continued volunteering at FROM. More than 5 years and nearly 2,100 volunteer hours later, Sable now helps out creating displays on her days off.

 

“I really did come out on the other side here,” she said. “I met a lot of other great people”

 

She said the reasons she continues to volunteer is because of friendships, giving back, the customers and the stories. “At some point I was like, ‘I am never leaving FROM again,’” she said.

 

She loves putting together displays so regular customers can see something different and loves chatting with customers about their purchases because you learn so much about them.

 

“To hear stories of the customers, it’s so enlightening,” she shared and continued on to say she constantly tries to remind herself what FROM is here for, and why she volunteers – to help other families and neighbors in need in the Greater Lowell Community.

 

Reflecting back on the last 5 years of volunteering and the growth she’s seen in herself as a person, Sable said, “I don’t think anyone should think a mistake should define you.”

 

“I want everyone to feel welcome and accepted,” Sable said. “I want to be able to help.”

 

Sable is one of more than 460 active volunteers at FROM. Volunteers touch every aspect of our organization – from setting our vision on the Board of Directors to serving in our programs and everywhere in between.

FROM (Flat River Outreach Ministries) is launching a new food program September 9th! The program, called the Farm Market, will offer locally sourced fresh produce along with pantry staples, including milk, honey, and eggs.

For many years FROM participants have expressed the difficulty in affording fresh fruits and vegetables. This paid model program will help ensure families have access to healthy produce at affordable prices. This is similar to how the Food Pantry helps current participants access healthy food, as one food pantry participants shared, “the [Food] Pantry helps me eat better and be able to direct my fixed income toward necessary expenses.”

The Farm Market will be located in the FROM Treasure’s Thrift Shop and the produce will be sourced from their partnering local farmers. This program follows in the footsteps of other local nonprofits including North Kent Connect and UCOM (United Church Outreach Ministries) who launched similar programs nearly 5 years ago.

The Farm Market is focusing on making sure locally sourced produce is accessible to families in the Greater Lowell Community who are earning less than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Families and individuals above this income level are welcome to shop as well! Purchasing produce will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.

“Although we have many farms surrounding Lowell, it can be hard to get that produce into the hands of families in our community who need it most,” Kelly Glas, FROM Healthy Food Program Coordinator, said. “By working directly with local farmers, we have the opportunity to bring fresh produce to a community hub location. This also gives us the opportunity to sell the produce at affordable prices so that those in our community who don’t have access to, or can’t typically afford healthy fresh produce, can come and purchase quality items for their families.”

Do you want to help make the Farm Market thrive? You can also show your support for the new program by volunteering at the Farm Market visiting the market, purchasing items, and spreading the word.

This program wouldn’t be possible without your support and support from King Milling Co. and Lowell Area Community Fund who have helped launch the Farm Market.

The Farm Market will be open during Treasures Thrift Store hours (Tuesday – Friday 10 AM – 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM). For more information, or to sign up to volunteer please visit www.fromlowell.org or reach out to FROM directly at info@fromlowell.org or (616) 897-8260.

Late last year Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) lost a dear friend – Donna Jean Ford.

The Lion’s football fan was an accountant and a lifelong resident of Lowell. She grew up on a farm and her parents cared about their community. Her father, a carpenter, was always fixing things for others.

“They’ve always had a giving spirit,” Kim Kropf, Donna Jean’s cousin said about the Ford family. “They might not have had the money, but they had the gift to give.”

Donna Jean carried that giving spirit throughout her life. She was involved in organizations she was passionate about including Pink Arrow, Clark Retirement, Lowell Area Arts Council, and FROM. The avid reader spent many years volunteering at the book department at Treasure’s Thrift Shop.

Kim shared Donna Jean’s ranch house held a library filled with books, many of them coming from a book club that mailed her books monthly. They sent her so many books in fact, Kim says, “they eventually sent her a letter saying they had no more books to send her.”

In total, Donna Jean volunteered more than 1,380 hours with FROM. Diane LaWarre, Donna Jean’s next door neighbor of nearly 30 years and FROM volunteer said that Donna Jean continued volunteering even after she had injuries that forced her to use a walker, and would put books on her walker to move them around.

“She was passionate about helping other people,” Diane said. Kim agreed saying Donna Jean loved that Lowell had such a great resource with the thrift shop, and that it was focused on people helping people.

“She loved how everybody could come together when there was a need to come together,” Kim said about Donna Jean’s love for the community.

The long-time volunteer was also a long-time donor to FROM, often giving to support the food pantry.

“She just didn’t want people to go hungry,” Kim said. “That was a big deal to her.”

Donna Jean’s life touched so much many both here at FROM and throughout the Greater Lowell Community. She generously gave FROM an estate gift which will help touch the lives of so many.