Now is a critical time to demonstrate our care and compassion for our neighbors in need.

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:13

By Zeke Fleet, Central’s Missions Committee

Central Community Outreach continues to be a foundational mission and part of the core identity of Central United Methodist Church. Each week this mission fulfils a wide range of essential services for our homeless neighbors, including the preparation of more than 600 nutritious meals at the Central’s Fellowship Hall.

According to Liz Bevier, long-time volunteer and Outreach committee member, in the first nine months of 2024, 20,108 meals were served. In the same period in 2025, 24,081 meals have been provided, an increase of 3,973 meals or 20%.

Compared to last year, the average cost per meal has risen from $1.77 to $2.12 in 2025, an increase of 20%.

Approximately 250 people in Grand Traverse County are experiencing homelessness. The challenges of compassionate assistance can seem overwhelming and are compounded by the approaching cold-weather season. 

Central’s Church Outreach provides essential services for our guests

• We engage guests in conversation, developing trusted relationships, providing encouragement, sharing sources for help within the walls of Central and through other community resources.
• We train Church Outreach volunteers who perform a variety of duties.
• We plan and prepare healthy meals and food acquisitions/purchases from area grocers, and from organizations such as Food Resue/Northwest Food Coalition.
• We provide guest services that include hot showers, haircuts, secured storage bins, mail delivery, and bus passes for medical appointments and job interviews.
• We provide new socks and underwear, hats, gloves, and hand warmers.
• We coordinate efforts with other community partners such as Goodwill Street Outreach, Safe Harbor, Jubilee House, TC Street Medicine, The Thomas Judd Center, Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, and Basic Needs Coalition.
• We offer help from the Housing Lab, an initiative that provides useful tools for guests working toward permanent housing.                                  

                                                       

Ryan Hannon

Director of Central’s Community Outreach and Discipleship

Nearly a year ago, Ryan joined Central’s staff following employment with Goodwill’s jail-to-community retransition program, Safe Harbor, and Goodwill Street Outreach. His experience and sincere care for individuals experiencing homelessness has allowed him to build trusting relationships. Always ready to help, Ryan listens, encourages, and opens paths to a better future for those in need. Central is blessed to have Ryan on its staff.

                              

Andrea Danielczyk,

Fellowship Hall & Central Community Outreach Kitchen Manager

Originally from Texas, Andrea was a former chef in Chicago and moved to Traverse City five years ago.  As Central’s kitchen manager, she helps manage food orders from Food Rescue and Northwest Food Coalition and works daily with Church Outreach volunteers to be sure their needs are met. She enjoys working at Central and interacting with guests. Andrea is working on a degree at NMC in non-profit leadership.

What can YOU do to help Central Community Outreach?

• Become a Central Community Outreach volunteer.  According to long-time kitchen volunteers Liz and Bob Bevier, many of the existing volunteers are snowbirds who leave for the winter. It takes many hands to handle tasks in the kitchen, the dining area, and to assist with varied Outreach services.
• Donations are appreciated – including women’s underwear and men’s boxer briefs in sizes S, M,L and XL, warm gloves, hats, hand warmers, and warm men’s and women’s socks, body wipes and sleeping bags.
• Your financial contributions help sustain Central Community Outreach, bringing much-needed care for those in need.  
• For one-time or recurring online donations, please select Central Missions on the dropdown and designate Church Outreach. You can give online by clicking here.
• Designate Church Outreach in the memo area on your offering checks.
• Drop off change, paper currency, or a check in the contribution bucket in the gathering area.