Resources & Information

  • www.crcjustice.org offers study and worship resources, action ideas, and information on issues such as hunger, poverty, refugees, and more.
  • 211 If you are in need of help, please call United Way’s 211 by dialing 2-1-1 from a landline telephone or dial 459-2255 from a cell phone.
  • Operation Second Mile Caseworkers
  • Benevolence Training: Training for pastors, deacons, church secretaries and benevolence workers to help maximize the church’s reponse for assistance.
  • Train the Trainers Money Management : This popular workshop is led by Dave Truel, MSU Extension, and is designed to help equip you to work with low-income clients on bugeting and money management issues.
  • New Clergy Orientation: ACCESS, in conjunction with GRACE, offers a one day seminar for new clergy to orient you to our community, provide an opportunity to meet each other and to answer your questions.
  • “Living on the Edge” Poverty Simulation: This interactive workshop is powerfully effective in learning more about the barriers and challenges faced by low-income clients. Highly recommended for those involved with families living in poverty.
  • New Pantry Start Up Consultation: ACCESS will assist congregations interested in opening a food pantry.
  • Food Stamp Outreach: The ACCESS Food Stamp Outreach worker visits each Pantry Resource Center once a month to assist clients in applying for food assistance.
  • Volunteers in Service: VIS connects people who need caring support with people in the Christian community equipped to provide faith-motivated care for their neighbors. Supportive relationships are built through friendship, special projects, mentoring, and the Car Connection.
  • How you can be involved: ACCESS offers a month by month listing of ministry opportunities.
  • GRACE: Originally formed as a church council, GRACE is now an independent, non-profit organization. GRACE is involved in raising money for hunger, working against poverty, and changing the way Grand Rapids looks at race.
  • Ministries Opportunities Calendar

    A calendar view of ways in which members of your congregation can minister to those in need:

    January: Participate in Souper Bowl Sunday. Collect $1 and /or cans of soup from each member of your congregation (…)