SAVE printing costs & the environment with an e-version of our quarterly newsletter and be "green"!
We now have the ability to save our newsletter in a PDF format and have them emailed to you or you can find them right here. If you would like to help us save on printing costs and want to read the Beacon of Hope, "Hope Revealed" newsletter in an e-version, just send us your email address requesting the newsletter be sent to you. We appreicate your willingness to help us be good stewards of the financial support we receive.
In each issue of the newsletter you will find:
* Current events, news & thank-you's under Beacon Briefs * Prayer Requests & Praises * An encouraging or challenging article from Director, Kyle Thompson * Special event information (Golf event, Friends Dinner, etc.) * Much more - check it out today.
> Thank You:to all who helped make Christmas special this year for 27 families (104 people).
> Thank You: to the Grainger Foundation, Victory Point Ministries, and Wyandotte Federal Credit Union for blessing our pantry at the holidays.
> Open House:You are invited to come and see our new office renovation on Sunday, April 14 from 3-5 pm. Come and celebrate with us and see God's great blessings. 788 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI 49423
> Is your church or group seeking to be taught, energized or motivated? Contact BoH and invite Director, Kyle Thompson MA, LPC, to come and provide such teaching. Kyle is an experienced speaker and can provide seminar format, pulpit supply, weekend revival or a combination. Past topics have included: leadership, spiritual formation, parenting, marriage, compassionate ministries.
> Current Needs for New Office: cleaning supplies, kleenex, toilet paper, paper towel, legal pads, post-it-notes
> Current Needs for the Pantry: canned fruit, canned veggies, pork-n-beans, peanut butter
> Praise God! :) Our staff number hits an all-time high of 15! We have 1 LPC, 4 LLPC, administrative assistant, employment specialist and 8 MA Interns. Our site has become a much sought after intern opportunity. We have recently had students from CMU, WMU, Liberty University, Spring Arbor University and Belhaven University in Mississippi seek positions.
Past Years Highlights
Year #10 in Review
Stats July 11-June 12
7,975 lives touched by one or more services of Beacon of Hope!
3,024 counseling sessions provided, 380 of those sessions were in the Portland area
2,072food boxes given away
1,993 volunteer hours provided by over 119 different people
Year #9 in Review Stats July 10-June 11 7,903 lives touched by one or more services of Beacon of Hope! Praise God that He has allowed us the honor of shining hope to each one of these people, His children! 2,670 counseling sessions provided - 19.4% increase (248of those sessions were in the Portland, MI area) 2,572.5 volunteer hours provided by over 118 different people 2,135 boxes of food given away - 32.9% increase $92,580 estimated retail value of food given away 37 men participating in Community CARE 31 students at area schools received educational counseling/tutoring 23 families (96 people) adopted at Christmas
Year #8 in Review Stats July 09-June 10 6,505 lives touched by one or more services of Beacon of Hope - 34.5% increase from last fiscal year 2,236 counseling sessions provided - 68.8% increase 2,187.5 volunteer hours logged with 184 different people serving - 18.3% increase 1,607 boxes of food given away - 27.4% increase 307 boxes were emergencies $67,655 retail value of food given away 210 meals served at Thanksgiving 181 men participating in Community CARE 19 families (84 people) adopted at Christmas ONE Amazing God we serve!
Year #7 in Review Stats July 08-June 09
4,835 Lives touched by BoH Ministries, 41.1% increase and 94.6% increase in overall services the past two years 1,325 Counseling sessions held, 21.7% increase 1,848.5 Volunteer hours logged with 116 different volunteers serving 365 Emergency boxes of food given out 896 Food boxes given @ scheduled monthly distributions $59,920 Retail value of food given away with 1,261 total boxes of food which is 52.1% increase 17 families (69 people) adopted @ Christmas 126 Meals served @ Thanksgiving 321 Men participating in Community C.A.R.E.
Food Pantry News
Additional Tax Credit Now Available....
Beacon of Hope is now recognized by the State of Michigan as a registered, licensed and qualifying food bank. This means that any monetary donation made to Beacon of Hope qualifies for partial income tax credit. See Schedule 2 Line 4 of the Michigan tax form 1040 for more information.
Sam's Club Volunteers!
Coach Al, General Manager of the Sam's Club Holland and several of his management staff have been volunteering at the Food Pantry and Distributions. Each day that they help at Beacon of Hope, Sam's Club Corporation then makes a donation to the agency the employees have served.
Beacon of Hope is privileged to serve alongside the Managers of Sam's Club! Thank you!
Bob Ross receives check from Sam's Club store manager, Coach Al
