Livin’ on a Prayer: FROM Cuts the Ribbon on New Main Street Housing Campus

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Last week, we cut a ribbon ten years in the making.
More than 200 friends and neighbors joined us to celebrate the opening of new affordable and supportive housing right here in Lowell. It was the culmination of countless prayers, an unwavering community, and a whole lot of faith that the path forward would eventually become clear, even when it didn’t look like it would.

The Bon Jovi song “Livin’ on a Prayer” kept coming to mind while preparing remarks for the event. It fits. We prayed for the right partner, and found ICCF Community Homes, whose expertise in housing development filled the gap we couldn’t fill ourselves. ICCF connected us to Eastbrook Homes, who brought the designs to life. Layer by layer, the right people showed up.

Ray Duimstra of Mercantile Bank, who has walked this journey nearly from the beginning, said it well: “FROM didn’t have to do this. They could have ran into these obstacles and shrugged their shoulders… they were relentless.”

Senator Thomas Albert noted the project will help the area “one family at a time.” And Carly Swanson, representing the Governor’s Office, left us with a phrase worth keeping: it takes a village to build a village. Lowell has always been that kind of village.

In the coming weeks, families will move in, decorate, and start building memories. That’s what this was always about.
We prayed, we trusted, and God delivered. Thank you for being part of it.

Want to help welcome our new tenants home? We’re assembling welcome baskets and would love your help filling them. Check out our Amazon Wish List to get involved.

 

 

Lowell’s First Look: FROM Expands Food Pantry Services to Fill Community Gaps

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Neighbors to the west of Lowell are now eligible for food assistance from one of the community’s most charitable resources.

Flat River Outreach Ministries recently expanded its food pantry service area to serve families who may not have access to nutrition assistance elsewhere. All who reside in the 49331 area code as well as areas of Ada, Alto, and Forest Hills can now request to utilize FROM’s pantry twice a month.

Kelly Glas, FROM Program Lead, said the expansion was made as a result of gaps in the areas that local pantries were covering.

“There’s these areas that we call ‘dead zones.’ It just means that the folks living within that zone didn’t have a pantry to go to, and we felt that we had the bandwidth to expand a little bit outside of our area in order to have a quality pantry that people could (use),” Glas explained.

Though FROM is confident it has the space and staffing to accommodate the expansion, they still need support from the community for the food itself. FROM Executive Director Wendie Preiss said it may take a bit of time to make the new expansion area aware of their services and gain the needed support from local businesses and churches.

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Level Up: See You Later Christy!

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Last weekend, Flat River Outreach Ministries gathered to celebrate and send off one of our own: Christy Baldwin, who has given five incredible years of service to this community.
Christy and her husband are heading north to Gaylord, MI, where he has an exciting opportunity to work closely with Habitat for Humanity.
While we are thrilled for them and the lives they will impact in their new chapter, saying goodbye was not easy.
To honor Christy the way she deserved, we threw a Super Mario Bros-themed “See You Later” party, and it did not disappoint.
Wendie pulled off the surprise of the afternoon, showing up in a full Mario costume that had everyone laughing.
And she was not alone, as several other volunteers arrived sporting Mario mustaches in solidarity.

Christy, thank you for five years of showing up, serving well, and pouring your heart into this ministry.
Your dedication has left a mark on this organization and on the people we serve together.
You will be deeply missed in these halls, but we know the road ahead of you is full of purpose.
This is not goodbye. It is “see you later.”
Level up!

Volunteer Appreciation 2026: FROM is so blessed!

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Volunteer Appreciation event on Saturday, April 18! It was truly inspiring to see nearly 70 volunteers gathered together – sharing a meal, laughter, and genuine connection. Moments like these remind us just how special the FROM community is.

From the Culver’s custard to the excitement of the prizes, there was plenty to celebrate—but what stood out most was the joy of simply being together. Whether it was the fun of The Preiss Is Right or the anticipation of Bingo, the afternoon was filled with smiles and camaraderie that made it unforgettable.

More than anything, we want you to know how deeply grateful we are. Your dedication, your time, and your heart for serving others make a lasting difference in this community every single day. The board and I are continually inspired by your commitment and generosity.

Please know that each one of you is valued more than words can express. Thank you for being the heart of this mission – we are so grateful to serve alongside you.

 

Rooted in Community, Reaching Further: Expanding Our Service Area

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FROM Expands Services to Reach More Neighbors

As our community grows, Flat River Outreach Ministries is expanding its reach to serve more households across the greater Lowell area.

FROM’s Food Pantry services are now available to additional neighbors to the west in the Ada, Forest Hills, and Alto communities.

To the east, all of our services have expanded to include all households within the Lowell 49331 zip code.

This expansion reflects FROM’s continued commitment to walk alongside families and individuals facing difficult seasons. Through more than a dozen programs and services, FROM helps meet essential needs, including healthy food access, family support, housing assistance, and connections to helpful community resources.

Every day, neighbors turn to FROM for support, encouragement, and practical help. By expanding service areas, even more families will be able to access the resources they need close to home.

If you or someone you know lives in one of these newly included areas and could benefit from support, FROM is here to help.

Community members are encouraged to check if their address falls within the expanded service area and learn more about available programs.

Together, we continue building a community where neighbors care for neighbors.

Save the Drama! | The Loving Gift of a Family Meeting

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It’s an unfortunate, far-too-common tale… 

A loved one passes away, and in the aftermath, family chaos ensues. Bickering. Drama. Hurt feelings. Broken relationships. Legal battles. 

In his book Splitting Heirs, Ron Blue suggests a simple but often neglected solution: a family meeting.  

 

A family meeting paves the way for healthy dialogue about your values, goals, and plans.  

To be most effective, a family meeting may involve help from a trusted advisor, attorney, or family friend as a conversation facilitator. Or, it may be as simple as sitting down with your adult children or other loved ones for an open, honest conversation.  

Through a family meeting, you can… 

  • Teach and explain. “The family meeting gives your heirs a chance to hear from you – your heart, your wishes,” writes Blue. “It also gives them the permission and opportunity to ask questions.” 
  • Share wisdom. Discuss important financial principles, such as budgeting, investing, saving and charitable giving. 
  • Unite family. Model your desire for the family to communicate openly and to be united rather than divided in difficult times.  
  • Manage expectations. Help everyone get on the same page to eliminate a “coping gap” (the difference between expectations and reality) for your heirs when they receive more or less from your plan than what they had expected.   

Admittedly, for many, the idea of holding a family meeting is awkward at best – terrifying at worst.  

But as Blue explains, it’s a key aspect of any effective estate plan. He writes, “You will have a family conference. It’s just a matter of whether you will be alive to attend. … Who can better discuss our motivations, hopes, desires, and blessings with your family: you, or your lawyer reading your will?” 

Ready to plan your family meeting? Request your free copy of “Sharing Your Plan with Your Loved Ones: A Guide for Your Family Meeting” by emailing arianneh@fromlowell.org or calling 616-897-8260. 

 

Welcome, Heather!

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Please help us give a big, warm FROM welcome to Heather! 🎉

Heather is joining the FROM team as our Internal Operations Manager, where she will help lead HR, IT, and other essential internal functions that support our staff and mission every day.

Born and raised in rural Alaska, Heather brings a wide range of life experience and heart to her work. Before moving to Lowell 11 years ago, she lived and worked in Montana and Washington state, building a career that includes roles as a paralegal, bookkeeper, and personal trainer, along with 12 years as a stay-at-home mom to her two children.

When she is not at work, you will likely find Heather outside hiking, camping, or spending time on the water. And a fun fact we absolutely love, she was once a boxing trainer and even worked the corner for a title fight at Madison Square Garden.

Welcome, Heather! We are so excited to have you on the team!

4 Wills That Won’t Help

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Don’t Make these Mistakes with Your Estate Plan!

Your will is one of the most powerful documents you will ever create! Through it, you can proactively care for your loved ones AND determine who will become the next stewards of your God-given resources.

A properly executed will can help you…

  • Minimize family disputes.
  • Protect your loved ones from excessive taxes and legal fees.
  • Establish guardianship for minor children.
  • Provide for children or loved ones with special needs.
  • Give in a profound way to Flat River Outreach Ministries and the other charities close to your heart.

However, there are four types of wills that are not effective.

The Non-Existent Will

Don’t assume you don’t need a will because you don’t have “enough,” or because you’ve already vocalized your desires. A completed will is the only way to ensure your wishes are met and your resources (home, business, personal collections, finances, etc.) are quickly and smoothly passed to your chosen people and charitable causes.

The Incomplete Will

Meeting with an advisor, discussing your plans with loved ones, and documenting your intentions are all important steps toward completing your will. But until you have a properly written and signed will that meets your state’s legal requirements, your plan is just a concept or piece of paper with no legal bearing.

The Lost Will
An estate plan does no good if your loved ones don’t know it exists or where to find it. Once you have a completed will, make sure to communicate important details to your family, such as the location of where it’s stored and any password or keys they will need to access it.

The Out-of-Date Will

Things change over time — and so should your plans. Key life transitions that warrant an update include children moving out of the house, retirement, marriages, births or adoptions, deaths, changes in financial situations, and more.

Not sure where to begin with your plans?
Call us at 616-897-8260 or email arianneh@fromlowell.org to request your complimentary copy of “The Roadmap to Your Completed Will.”

Seeing the Vision Take Shape on Main Street

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There are moments in a project when progress feels especially meaningful. Right now, Main Street Housing is in one of those moments.

Siding is going up and nearly complete at 504 E Main, bringing a finished look to a building that not long ago existed only as drawings and discussions. Sidewalks are now connecting the 504 and 524 properties, physically linking spaces that will soon function as one welcoming campus. With these connections in place, we are beginning to see the full vision come into focus, including the future parking lot that will serve residents and visitors alike.

Inside the building, the next phase is right around the corner. Drywall installation in the multifamily units will begin soon, marking another major step toward spaces that will soon feel like home.

What once lived on paper is steadily becoming a place where neighbors will live, gather, and belong. Each milestone brings us closer to creating stable housing and a stronger sense of community right in the heart of Lowell.

Thank you for following along, cheering on the progress, and believing in what this space will mean for our neighbors. We are grateful to share this journey with you and look forward to the milestones still ahead.

                             

2025 Year in Review: Thanks to You, Our Community Thrives

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As we begin 2026, we are filled with gratitude for the hundreds of volunteers and generous donors who made 2025 possible. Because of your support, Flat River Outreach Ministries reached 1,059 unique households through our programs last year, creating meaningful impact in our community.

Here’s a look at what we accomplished together:

 

Food Pantry

  • Averaged 297 shopping trips per month, a 14% increase over 2024
  • Served 413 unique households, including 54 new families

Mobile Pantry

  • Reached 88 households per month
  • Provided groceries to 282 unique households

Farm Market

  • Generated $99,407.24 in sales through 17,814 transactions
  • Sold 47,599 items, with eggs and apples as the top favorites
  • Supported 54 unique clients with extra discount purchases (391 transactions)

Connections

  • Held 317 appointments and answered 773 calls or emails
  • Provided financial assistance to 86 households

Transportation

  • Gave 414 rides to clients
  • Drove 2,211.6 miles to ensure everyone could reach their appointments, pantry visits, and more

Medical Loan Closet

  • Facilitated 540 loans for 703 pieces of medical equipment.

Backpack Distribution

  • Supported 133 households and 258 children with school supplies.

Christmas Program

  • Served 123 households with food only
  • Served 168 households with toys and food
  • Provided 410 children with gifts for a joyful holiday

Every number tells a story of neighbors helping neighbors, of children going to school prepared, of families enjoying meals, and
holidays with dignity, and of community members getting the resources they need to thrive.


Thank You.
None of this would be possible without you—our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Your time, generosity, and heart make a real difference every day.

As we step into 2026, we hope you’ll continue this journey with us, side by side, creating a stronger, kinder, and more connected community.

Treasures’ $1 Million Year: Thank you.

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As we step into 2026, we are pausing to say thank you.
In 2025, Treasures Thrift Store reached $1,000,000 in sales, a milestone that represents the people, kindness, and a community that truly cares.
It reflects every donation given with love, every purchase made with purpose, every volunteer hour shared, and every staff member who showed up day after day. Because of you, Treasures continues to support the work of Flat River Outreach Ministries and the neighbors we serve.
We begin this new year feeling deeply grateful and incredibly hopeful. Thank you for being part of this story and cheers to another year!

Exciting Progress at 504 E Main Street

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Big things are happening at FROM’s future Main Street Housing site on 504 E Main Street, and we’re thrilled to share the latest updates with our Lowell community. The duplex is really taking shape with newly added steps, fresh siding, and the start of beautiful stone accents that bring the building to life. Outside, pavement is going down and the parking lot is being formed, giving us a clear picture of how the space will look when finished.

With so much exterior progress underway, crews will soon shift their focus inside all three buildings to begin the next phase of construction. Each update marks real, tangible movement toward providing safe and stable housing for our neighbors. We’re grateful to share this journey with the community as the project continues to take shape.