4 Reasons to Give from Your IRA

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Smart, Convenient Giving for Supporters Over 70½

 

Here’s an insider tip…

More and more supporters are giving to Flat River Outreach Ministries

directly from their retirement accounts through what’s known as a “qualified charitable distribution” (often referred to as a “QCD”).

For those ages 70 ½ and older who qualify, these gifts offer a convenient, cost-effective, and powerful way to share your heart with the community.

What makes a qualified charitable distribution so appealing?

1. If you don’t need the income, you can give directly from your IRA to Flat River Outreach Ministries. It’s a simple way to meet all or part of your required minimum distributions and provide meaningful support!

2. Qualified charitable distributions reduce your taxable income. This is advantageous even if you don’t itemize deductions on your tax return.

3. Gifts from your IRA can be used to fulfill any charitable giving pledges you have made.

4. Any IRA distributions you make to charity will not be taxed. The entirety of your gift will go toward FROM!

Is giving from your IRA the right solution for you? To learn more about this and other convenient and cost-effective ways to support Flat River Outreach Ministries, call Arianne at 616.897.8260 x 135 or email arianneh@fromlowell.org.

 

November 12th: Community Resource Open House

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Neighbors,

Several community members have reached out this week in need of assistance, and several others are asking how they can help. We want to give an update on available resources and the needs we have at this time.

Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) is available as a resource to anyone in need. Families can utilize both SNAP benefits and FROM available programming, including our Food Pantry, Mobile Food Pantry. You do not have to choose one or another.

To highlight and answer any questions around our programming, FROM will host a Community Resource Open House on Wednesday, November 12, from 2-4PM at our headquarters- 11535 Fulton St E, Lowell, MI 49331.

FROM staff will be on hand to answer any questions about available programs and resources, especially longstanding programming, including:

·Food Pantry: Shop twice a month (14 days in between) for fresh produce, protein, canned goods, and other pantry staples. The pantry is available Tuesday 2-4PM, Wednesday 5-7PM, and Friday 10AM-Noon. Program participants can use the food pantry and SNAP benefits – you don’t have to choose one or the other.

·Mobile Food Pantry: Provides primarily produce for families in a drive-through style food distribution in partnership with Feeding America of West Michigan. The next one is on December 6 from 9-11AM.

·Farm Market: Located in Treasures Thrift Store at FROM, anyone can shop for produce and other food staples 6 days a week, Monday-Friday 10AM-6PM, Saturday 10AM-2PM. A discount is available to families who qualify for FROM services.

·Resource Connection: FROM program staff provide warm hand-off resource connections for home repair, utility assistance, eviction prevention, employment, and insurance needs. Call our Connections Office at 616-897-8260 to schedule an appointment today.

·Financial Assistance: Financial assistance is available to program participants in need of assistance on rental deposits, eviction prevention, utility assistance, car repairs, and more. Learn more or schedule an appointment today at 616-897-8260.

Food resources will also be available to anyone needing them during the open house hours. All FROM programs are available to Lowell Area School residents making 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (based on self-declaration of need).

Family Size 1 2 3 4 5 6
300% FPL $46,950 $63,450 $79,950 $96,450 $112,950 $129,450

(Data from Department of Health and Human Services, 2025 Poverty Guidelines)

Any household meeting these qualifications – and especially families affected by the SNAP benefit reduction is encouraged to attend. If you live outside of the Lowell Area School District, we encourage you to call 2-1-1 or FROMs Connections Office to learn about resources available in your area.

We deeply appreciate the outpouring of support through food drop-offs, financial support and volunteering. Your support helps ensure every family utilizing the food program receives 3-5 days’ worth of nourishing food. If you can help during this time, please consider:

  • Volunteering: We need volunteers to stock our pantry and to pick up food orders. CLICK HERE to connect with our Volunteer Coordinator.
  • Host a food drive / collect personal care items: HERE is the most up-to-date list of items needed
  • Make a financial contribution: This allows us to purchase most most-needed items at this time. You can donate HERE.

To learn more about available resources or supporting FROM, please reach out. Call our Main Office at 616-897-8260.

Arianne Joins GR SavvySeniors for Antique Roadshow Panel!

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Arianne Hall

 

 

 

Our very own Arianne, FROM’s Development Director, recently joined the GR SavvySeniors “Antique Roadshow” panel to talk about the stories behind our “stuff” and how to let go without the stress.

She shared helpful insights on what might be valuable, what’s just taking up space, and offered guidance on what Treasures Thrift Store can and cannot accept as donations. It was a great conversation for anyone looking to declutter, downsize, or simply make more space for what matters most.

Sharing Hope 2025: Building Hope and Homes Together

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Sharing Hope 2025 was a truly inspiring evening. Our community came together to celebrate the power of hope and the importance of having a safe, stable place to call home. Surrounded by friends, laughter, and heartfelt stories, we were reminded that hope grows strongest when we build it together.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who attended, we surpassed our fundraising goal of $25,000 by more than $10,000. These funds will support FROM’s affordable housing efforts, helping more neighbors find security, dignity, and a sense of belonging through safe and stable housing.

The night was filled with meaningful moments, from shared meals and warm conversations to stories that showed how a home can change a life. It was a celebration of what’s possible when compassion meets action.

Thank you. fromlowell.org/sharinghope

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.

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!

Making Waves: Flat River Outreach Ministries’ 2024 Impact

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2024 was a year of significant growth and impact for Flat River Outreach Ministries. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors, we were able to make a real difference in the lives of families in Lowell.


We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community. Your contributions, both large and small, have made a lasting difference.

 

Welcome, Haley!

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We’re excited to introduce Haley, our new Development Coordinator!
She’ll bring her talents to our event planning, marketing, and donor relations efforts. Haley has held several other development positions at other nonprofits in the area. Feel free to stop and chat if you see her in the hallways, she is eager to get to know everyone. Join us in welcoming Haley as she helps us strengthen connections within our community and further our mission of serving our neighbors.

More about her:
Haley brings a decade of experience in office administration and non-profit development, where she has honed her skills in helping organizations thrive. She has steadily built her career into a platform that allows her to do what she does best: helping others. Driven by her personal experiences with mental health discrimination and healthcare challenges, Haley is deeply passionate about advocating for equality, dignity, and empowerment for all people. In addition to her professional pursuits, Haley is a talented artist and musician. She sings, plays guitar, and ukulele, and has had her artwork shown at the Gerald R. Ford Museum. Haley lives in Kentwood, MI, with her two furbabies, Moby and Kora.

Welcome Haley!

Christmas Distribution 2024: A Shining Success

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This year’s Christmas Toy Store and Food Basket programs was a heartwarming success! A total of 257 families with 437 children registered, with adults shopping, free of charge, for Christmas toys to bring a little extra love and excitement to their holiday. Alongside the toys, we also prepared and distributed 378 food bags, so that families in Lowell could enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner together.

The event was made possible thanks to the generosity and hard work of our dedicated volunteers, donors, and supporters. Together, we brought joy, hope, and holiday cheer to our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event such a shining success!

Get Involved in National Nutrition Month!

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March is National Nutrition Month®! The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics put together a whole list of ways you can get involved in March. Our Development Director, Arianne,  wanted to share a few with you with examples of how her family is incorporating them into their meal planning.

 

 

 

Try new fruits and vegetables this month!

The next time you’re at the grocery store, pick out a fruit or vegetable you’ve never tried and taste test it with your family. Sometimes at Meijer, we’ll pick up an exotic fruit or vegetable to taste for fun. We’ve tried starfruit, dragon fruit and jackfruit by doing this. Each month in our Food Pantry we feature a different food item. For March, we’re highlighting carrots, as well as this soup recipe!

 

Get your family (or friends) involved in meal planning. Ask for their ideas!

If your family is stumped, asking friends for their favorite meal on Social Media is a great way to get new recipes, or searching on Pinterest.

 

Limit your TV/screen time (or take breaks) and incorporate physical activity.

Watch an episode or two of your favorite show, and take a break to clean up the kitchen, take a walk around the block, or play catch for a few minutes with your kids. That extra bit of exercise in the day helps my whole family relax, unwind and fall asleep faster.

 

Try to stay off screentime during mealtime – including phones, computers, TV, tablets, etc.

 Try sitting at the table for your meals and keep all electronic devices out of the room. It’ll help you focus on your meal, and conversations with your family. It’s a great opportunity to share the funny things you read on your phone, or bring up a fun conversation for discussion.

 

Try more meals without meat.

At Flat River Outreach Ministries our Food Pantry and a number of our food programs we receive a large amount of meatless protein options – including beans, peas and lentils. Our Healthy Food Program Coordinator, Kelly, often highlights meatless recipes in the Food Pantry and offers samples to try. One of our favorite meatless options is a black bean and corn burrito. Check out this Gimme Delicious recipe!

 

Get your whole family involved in cooking. There’s room for everyone!

 My favorite memories of my mom are around meal preparation, she always encouraged us to be in the kitchen with us. And although it can take a lot of extra time, as an adult, I try to bring my 2-year-old to help make dinner. He especially loves making pizza with us and counts while he puts pepperoni and cheese on the pizza.

 

Try a new spice or flavor to your meal.

Be inspired at the grocery store. Seek out new spices that sound interesting and find a recipe to use it in. When you travel, try to recreate a dish you loved on your trip. My family found a love for falafel and Mediterranean food while on a trip to Israel, and started making them when we realized how easy they were to recreate at home!

 

There are way more ideas and suggestions on Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, CLICK HERE to read the rest of them.