Entering the Community Action House Food Club felt like walking into my local grocery store: shopping carts, walls lined with produce, and families checking items off their grocery lists. The colorful store, with a gorgeous mural, matched the warmth of Grace, who greeted us with a smile. Grace happily shared about the Food Club and their goal: “Nourish, Equip, Empower.” It quickly became clear that this was much more than a grocery store.
Grace connected us with Katy, the Community Action House Director of Communications, who gave us a tour of the Food Club.
Through decades, Community Action House has supported Holland-area families through financial guidance, housing assistance, education, legal resources, and food programs. While serving the community through these outreach programs, CAH recognized another area of need: there were many families with income who simply could not keep up with the rising prices at grocery stores. This led to the creation of the Community Action House Food Club.
Membership at the CAH Food Club costs $12–$19 per month, depending on household size and income, and provides enough points to purchase roughly 10–12 days of groceries. Families can join or pause membership as their needs change. In 2025, over 3,918 families were served in the Food Club.
Shelves at the Food Club are stocked with pantry essentials and staple favorites. While all food is accessible and assigned manageable point values, the point price of each grocery item is intentional. Not only is the Food Club dedicated to supplying the community with access to groceries but also encouraging healthy eating habits. Produce items are allotted the lowest point cost, while more processed foods have higher point amounts. As stated by Grace, one of their main focuses is “trying to get fresh produce in the hands of those who otherwise might not be able to [access these foods].”
Beyond groceries, CAH also offers cooking classes. These cooking classes cover a variety of dietary needs, with courses focusing on diabetes management, food allergies, eating on a budget, and much more. Nearly every CAH resource (including signage and staff assistance) is available in both Spanish and English, helping ensure language is never a barrier to receiving support. With their easily accessible produce, knowledgeable staff, and hands-on education, the Food Club is much more than access to food. It is a grocery store where families take initiative over their own eating habits and an environment to teach younger generations about healthy eating.
Partnerships throughout West Michigan help keep the Food Club stocked. Through its Lakeshore Food Rescue program, CAH rescued more than 3.1 million pounds of food in 2025 alone, including surplus produce donated by Holland Farmers Market vendors. These collaborations pair with an impressive number of volunteers to keep CAH’s programs running smoothly. More than 3,000 volunteers served CAH in 2025, stocking shelves, assisting shoppers, and supporting resale stores. Their time ensures families continue receiving food and other essential resources.
As we walked back through the Food Club, it was difficult to see it as simply a place to pick up groceries. It is a place where families can shop with dignity, learn new skills, connect with neighbors, and find support during difficult seasons. As Katy shared, “Food brings joy,” and at Community Action House, that joy is paired with opportunity, compassion, and hope for a stronger community.
Those interested in supporting Community Action House can volunteer at volunteer.communityactionhouse.org, donate at communityactionhouse.org, or shop at one of their two resale stores in Holland. To learn if you are eligible for the CAH Food Club, please visit communityactionhouse.org.
