Annual report highlight: Growing resources
July 15, 2025Hope 101
Hope 101 was created to help people achieve stable housing. It’s still the heart of their mission. Unfortunately, food insecurity often goes hand-in-hand with housing insecurity.
“A lot of our participants use food pantries,” said Julie Vitale, executive director. “But it can be hard to get protein there, or the protein that is offered may be disconnected from the other items they receive.”
As Hope 101 thought about ways to help, they realized that many churches have commercial kitchens that often go unused during the week. This inspired the creation of The Cookery, which was supported by a Community Foundation grant in 2024.
Team members—often Hope 101 housing participants—prepare hearty entrees and soups in licensed church kitchens. Frozen meals are available on a “pay what you can” basis and stocked at partner sites. The program also provides job experience and income for those on the cooking team. A newly-renovated building in downtown White Cloud will expand their reach and allow for serving hot meals.
“Homelessness and hunger don’t just happen to someone else. It could be you, it could be your child,” said Julie. “One of the most rewarding moments was when a participant said, ‘Thank you for seeing me when I couldn’t see myself.’ These are people who work hard and have dreams, but life has been unkind. They need someone to see them.”
