JUSTICE & SERVICE
We envision Sunnyside United Methodist Church to be the front porch to the Kingdom of God. A place where all are included, received with hospitality, find hope, experience the abundance of God's love and re transformed through Jesus Christ.
GROWING COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Growing Community Garden is a 501c3 entity that serves the larger community around Sunnyside United Methodist Church. Growing Community Garden is supported by a wide range of churches, organizations and many volunteers and members of the community. Located beside Sunnyside UMC (2800 Gull Rd), the garden is designed to connect east side Kalamazoo neighbors to the earth, to local food, and to each other. Through hands-on education, children and adults learn organic gardening techniques, connecting them in a meaningful way to the earth and increasing access to nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. The garden is available for all. The community is encouraged to come and harvest food as they need it. The garden is also a place of respite and rest. Individuals and families are welcome to come sit, walk around, meditate, reflect, or play on the playground.
Participate:
To volunteer in the Growing Community Garden this season please email pastordavid.bumc@gmail.com. Volunteers are welcome to stop by at any time.
CHUMA
Chuma is a faith-based empowerment program for women of color in Kalamazoo. This program features a work component at the Free Store of Kalamazoo, as well as monthly empowerment and support meetings covering a wide range of topics, including financial literacy and life skills. Participants will receive a complementary meal at monthly gatherings.
Start your journey with Chuma today!
Get connected with our staff by calling or texting (269) 744-8758 or send an email to shawnda@sunnysideumc.com.
LOAFS AND FISHES PANTRY
Our congregation hosts and supports a Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in partnership with Lutheran Church of the Savior, St Mary’s Catholic Church, and employees of Pfizer.
To volunteer your time at this pantry please contact: office@sunnysideumc.com or call the church office at 349-3047.
In need of food – Receive groceries at one of Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes’ 20+ Pantry sites located throughout Kalamazoo County:
Call the “Need Food” line at 343-3663 to request same day service. The call-center is open Monday-Friday from 9 am - 1 pm. Please call as early as possible as pantries fill up very quickly.
All Kalamazoo County Residents are eligible for a four-day food order once every 30 days and 3 additional pantry visits per year.
The head of the household receiving assistance must present a picture ID at the time of the appointment.
SUNNYSIDE PANTRY HOURS:
Mondays: 5:30-7pm
(No 5th Monday of the month)
Wednesdays: 5:45-7pm
(Not on 1st or 5th Wednesday of the month)
Thursdays: 1-2:30pm (drive thru only)
*Updated COVID-19 Pantry Hours:
1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at noon in Sunnyside UMC parking lot.
Check first! Loaves & Fishes Pantry doesn't necessarily close whenever the Kalamazoo Public Schools are closed due to weather. Call Loaves & Fishes 269-343-3663.
ISAAC ADVOACY & ACTION
ISAAC is an organization supported by foundations, membership dues, grass-roots fundraisers, and individual contributors like you. ISAAC is a faith-based community organizing group made up of congregations and organizations that united in order to accomplish what cannot be done as individuals or single congregations. Together, we focus our collective people-power on the most pressing issues of injustice in Kalamazoo County.
We are Jews, Christians, Muslims, Unitarians and non-religious. We are Black and White. We are suburban, inner-city and rural. We are haves, have-nots, and have-a-little-want- mores. We are bold, tenacious, and we don't back down. We are ISAAC!
"ISAAC has continually and steadfastly advocated for a better way to address youth violence in the City of Kalamazoo, and were instrumental in garnering our commitment to adopting a “Group Violence Intervention” Model." - Chief Jeff Hadley, KDPS
