2025 Impact Statement: Strengthening
Community Through Support & Opportunity

For years, The Village has been committed to creating a stronger, more resilient community by ensuring that individuals and families access essential resources, fresh food, and meaningful opportunities. Through The Village Free Store, The Village Community Garden, and our 4-H Youth Empowerment Initiative, we continue to provide stability, nourishment, and growth for those who need it most.

The Village Free Store: Providing Stability & Dignity
Financial hardships should never prevent families from creating a safe and comfortable home. Since 2020, The Village Free Store has been a vital resource, offering essential household items—furniture, mattresses, and kitchenware—at no cost. Whether assisting individuals transitioning out of homelessness, survivors rebuilding after domestic violence, or families facing unexpected financial crises, the Free Store provides more than just material goods; it offers dignity, relief, and a fresh start.
Additionally, repurposing gently used items promotes sustainability and reduces waste in our community.

The Village Community Garden: Growing Food & Strengthening
Connections
Food insecurity is a persistent challenge for many families, particularly those with limited access to fresh, nutritious produce. Since 2021, The Village Community Garden has empowered families to grow food, reducing grocery expenses and fostering self-sufficiency. Our volunteers also cultivate and donate fresh produce to local seniors, senior facilities, and food pantries—ensuring that healthy food reaches those most in
need. More than a source of nourishment, the garden serves as a gathering place for education, collaboration, and community engagement, strengthening the connections that make our community thrive.

Empowering Cass County Youth Through 4-H
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead. Our ongoing support for Cass County 4-H ensures that financial and logistical barriers do not prevent youth from participating in hands-on learning experiences. We provide essential project supplies for
animal care, arts, STEM, and gardening, assist with transportation, and cover participation fees when needed. By making 4-H accessible to all, we equip young people with confidence, skills, and leadership abilities to serve them for a lifetime.

A Community United for Change
Year after year, our impact continues—thanks to the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners. We continue to uplift individuals, strengthen families, and create opportunities that foster resilience and well-being.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to expanding our reach and deepening our impact. When we support one another, we build a brighter, more connected community for all.

Thank you for being part of The Village. Together, we make a difference.

Respectfully submitted . . .
Curtis and Bianca May, Executive Director, 269.476.1257

See our 2016 Impact Statment HERE.