Food Fight 2025: Congratulations Team South!

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That’s a wrap on Food Fight 2025!

The final results are in…
🏆 South Team takes the win with 95,894 points!
👏 North Team gave a strong fight with 64,760 points!

Congratulations, Team South!!

All together, we raised $150,961 and collected 9,693+ food items to support reliable access to nutritious food for everyone in Lowell.
A special shoutout to the Lowell Post Office for going above and beyond—collecting 6,293 items during their Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, smashing their previous year’s record by over 1,100!

Another incredible year, with our always incredible community. THANK YOU!


Our friends from Lowell Post Office

Rookies

Red Barn Mercantile

Fish & Finn Outfitters

Ground Broken, Dreams Building!

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May 22nd, 2025, marked a monumental moment for our Lowell community. After years of dedicated planning and unwavering community support, we officially broke ground on FROM’s new affordable housing units right here in our city. This wasn’t just about construction – it was about creating hope and opportunity for families who deserve a safe, stable place to call home. We know that having secure housing changes everything: it gives children a consistent address for school, parents peace of mind, and families the foundation they need to thrive and build their futures. Every shovel of dirt turned represented countless hours of collaboration, advocacy, and belief in what’s possible when a community comes together. To every neighbor, supporter, and partner who made this vision a reality – THANK YOU.

Here’s to the families who will soon have keys in their hands and hope in their hearts. Home isn’t just four walls and a roof – it’s where dreams take root and families flourish.

From Boy Scout Project to FROM Rockstar: Meet Fulton Poelma

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Meet our rockstar Volunteer of the Month: Fulton Poelma. He’s been volunteering with FROM since August 2023, and you can usually find him making our spaces spick-and-span with a vacuum.

Fulton’s journey with FROM began after a meaningful project with his Boy Scouts troop sparked a desire to contribute to the community in even more ways. We think that’s pretty awesome!

When we asked him what FROM value he likes the most, he picked Community, saying it’s important “when everyone feels like they belong.” We totally agree!

Already a super helpful volunteer, Fulton’s also an 8th-grade track star! Keep up the great work, Fulton!

A Big FROM Welcome to Walter Jones!

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We’re thrilled to welcome Walter Jones as our new Program Manager at Flat River Outreach Ministries!

Walter comes to us with a background in pastoral ministry, residential behavioral health, and workforce development through Job Corps.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cornerstone University and is passionate about serving others with compassion and integrity.

Walter and his wife, Jazhmin, have three boys. In his free time, he enjoys the peace and quiet of fishing.


Walter will be taking Monica Light’s place as she plans to retire later in May 2025 after 6.5 years of service in the role.

We’re excited for the experience and heart Walter brings to FROM—please help us give him a warm welcome!

Sandy O: Healing and Giving Back

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Joining as a cashier in 2023, Sandy was drawn to FROM through recommendations from friends in a grief support group. She sought both to contribute and to find a sense of belonging.
Sandy appreciates the respectful and friendly atmosphere in Treasures Thrift Store, where both volunteers and those served feel valued. “I wanted to be part of a group with similar values, and FROM does just that….I am provided with a wonderful sense of community. It also feels good to give back to the community I have lived in since the early 90’s!”
Her favorite memories volunteering are centered on the relationships she’s formed. From being invited to join a book club to connecting with others who share similar life experiences, Sandy has experienced the transformative power in both healing and giving back.

Pat: The Medical Loan Sisterhood

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Pat Grooters found more than a volunteer opportunity at FROM; she found a sisterhood.
“All of FROM’s values fit the community; it is hard to pick one!” she says. However, one aspect particularly stood out: the welcoming and supportive environment within the Medical Loan program.

Pat has found deep connections, especially within her team. “The ladies in Medical Loan welcomed me into the fold, and now I feel like I have a sisterhood, one that I didn’t have before,” she says. “[They are] not only a sisterhood, but I feel like they truly care about my wellbeing.” For Pat, FROM is a place where connection, joy, and empowerment come to life.

A Lowell Treasure: Theresa’s Quarter-Century of Service

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Imagine a friendly face, always ready to lend a hand. That’s Theresa Mundt, a true gem of Lowell, who’s been brightening lives at FROM for 25 years. Since 1998, she’s been a steady force, making sure kids have clothes and seniors get their essentials.

Why does she do it? “I just love helping people,” she says, a simple answer that speaks volumes. She adds, “And I’m retired, so I have the time to give back!”

For Theresa, it’s all about community. She lights up talking about the folks she’s met, the old friends she’s reconnected with. “It’s the people,” she says, “that’s what makes it so special.” She treasures the feeling of belonging, of making a real difference right here in Lowell.

“Volunteering is so rewarding,” she shares. “It’s fun, too! You get to meet wonderful people and really feel like you’re making a difference.”

Her dedication reveals that the community thrives on connection and that even the smallest acts of kindness can create a lasting ripple effect.

Meet Debbie Bradley: Crafting Kindness in Lowell

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Debbie Bradley’s story at FROM started with a simple potluck and a neighborly nudge. In 2019, she found herself at FROM seeking assistance for her daughter, Kristin, and quickly discovered a community she wanted to be a part of. Now, you’ll find her happily crafting alongside Marilyn and Ellen.

“I just love what FROM does for Lowell,” Debbie says, her eyes lighting up. For her, it’s all about community. She remembers how Monica, FROM’s Program Manager, was a “guiding light” for Kristin, helping her find her own apartment and a job. And she smiles when she talks about Maureen, the cashier, who always makes Kristin feel seen and welcome.

Debbie’s journey is a reminder that sometimes, the best way to find community is to jump right in and lend a hand. And if you happen to see her, ask her about her favorite color – it’s a lovely sage green!

Educators Helping Educators

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Kim and Bev are the dynamic duo behind the Teacher Supply section at Treasures Thrift Store. They curate an inviting space that keeps customers coming back. Their goal is to create a sense of community where everyone feels welcome and can find what they need. They want children to be excited about reading and learning, believing that educated individuals make happier, better citizens.

The inspiration for the teacher supply section came from conversations with educators struggling to equip their classrooms on tight budgets. Kim and Bev recognized a need and filled it. Thanks to generous donations from current and former educators, the section has blossomed, providing a valuable resource for teachers. “What a blessing to grow as so many present and former educators have begun donating unused supplies thus finding a place to bless other educators,” they share. Ultimately, their efforts benefit the students, enriching their learning experience. Kim and Bev’s creation demonstrates how a simple act of service can have a ripple effect in the lives of others.

The Need for Affordable Housing in Lowell

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“Unstable housing causes increased stress and anxiety, high rates of absenteeism, difficulty completing homework, and difficulty focusing when in school,” said Nate Fowler, Lowell Area Schools Superintendent. We talked to Nate as a part of our Building Foundations, Building Hope campaign to bring affordable and supportive housing to the greater Lowell community. His words highlight the need for affordable housing in our community and how the housing scarcity is affecting students.

As we head into this public campaign it’s important to know the numbers that motivated us to help tackle the housing struggles in Lowell. According to recent survey of FROM program participated conducted by Datawise, one in three respondents had difficulty paying for housing in the past year, one in six selected housing instability as a top issue for their health, and 23% reported spending at least 50% of their income on housing. Additionally, MI School Data reported that Lowell Area Schools had 102 mobile students, many of whom were mobile because of eviction filings. Nate supported these findings by saying “Recent increases in housing costs have put a strain on many families’ budgets.”

 
(3d Renderings, not real homes…yet!)

Our plan for the Building Foundations, Building Hope campaign is to build three new buildings that can be rented at an affordable cost. These buildings will be located next to our current rental house at 504 Main Street. The goal for the new buildings is to be able to house up to 40 people at any given time across 17 units. These units are a combination of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedrooms which will housing a single person up to a family of four. The project requires us to raise $3.3 million to construct the three new buildings but the investment is well worth it to take the first steps in addressing this need in our community.
Nate stressed to us the positive change that could come about for students who can get stable housing from this campaign. “By having additional options for affordable housing, students who benefit may see consistent school attendance which allows students to participate fully in their education, a quiet place to study and complete homework, better physical and mental health, boosting their ability to learn, and more opportunities to build lasting friendships and community connections.”

To learn more about the Building Foundations, Building Hope campaign, visit fromlowell.org/buildinghope. If you are interested in making a contribution, reach out to our Development Director, Arianne Hall by phone (616.897.8260) or email (arianneh@fromlowell.org), or click here.

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Jayne M

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Jayne started shopping at the FROM thrift store years ago. “I LOVE shopping at FROM,” she excitedly explains, “I’ve gone to so many thrift stores in other Michigan cities and surrounding states. FROM is by far the best!”

When Jayne learned the thrift store was in need of volunteers, she stepped up. Soon, she began volunteering as a thrift store cashier. She shares, “I love working at the cash register because I get to talk to each of the people who comes my way. I want to make them feel special.”

Jayne delights in finding ways to connect with each customer. “Everyone has a story, and I love to hear them,” she says.

Jayne adds, “I’m so thankful that there is a place here in Lowell that helps other people in the community—many times very discreetly.” Jayne works as a substitute teacher in the Lowell School District, so she especially loves the backpack program FROM offers children at the beginning of each school year. “Many families are blessed by that program,” she says.