The Cookery

Hope 101 Ministry’s The Cookery is a “pay-as-you-can” social-enterprise eatery and meal program serving Newaygo County. Launched in 2024, The Cookery prepares family-size entrées and soups in licensed church kitchens for grab-and-go freezer distribution, pop-up soup events, and—starting 2025—hot meals at its new White Cloud location. A simple token system keeps access dignified and focused: white tokens (distributed by partners like Love INC and local churches) provide free meals for ALICE households and neighbors in crisis; optional green tokens let community members pre-pay or gift meals, helping cover costs for those who cannot pay.

More than food, the White Cloud site is a hub for stability. Guests can meet on-site with a case manager; use free Wi-Fi, computers, and printing for job/housing applications and benefits enrollment; and pursue food-service careers. The Cookery employs part-time staff, sponsors ServSafe Manager courses, and is an approved local proctor—building a pipeline to work. The facility will also include a studio and a one-bedroom apartment tied to Hope 101’s housing program, offering participants safe housing with wraparound case management and opportunities to earn income on-site.

Why this supports United Way’s mission/priorities
The Cookery advances Economic Mobility by pairing immediate food access with practical pathways to stability—case management, financial/budget coaching, job skill-building (ServSafe), and increased access to affordable housing through integrated units. Its pay-as-you-can model and church partnerships stretch limited dollars, reduce transportation barriers, and keep ALICE households connected to services that help meet basic needs and progress toward self-sufficiency. In short, The Cookery turns shared meals into momentum—aligning with United Way’s goal to help more working families in our Lakeshore communities thrive.

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