NEW BEGINNINGS – Christian Neighbors Breaks Ground on Parking Lot Expansion
Every day, families, seniors, and neighbors in need walk through our doors seeking food, financial assistance, or a class that might change the trajectory of their lives. Christian Neighbors is proud to be that safe place for our community and we’re expanding our campus to welcome even more neighbors, safely and comfortably.
A Growing Need
Demand for our core programs – food pantry services and emergency financial assistance, has risen sharply in recent years. And our Education Resource Center (ERC), now three years old, has become a hub of activity, hosting free classes, workshops, and resource programs for Allegan and Kalamazoo County residents every month.
With just 41 parking spaces serving staff, volunteers, and everyone we serve across both buildings, our campus has been outgrowing its lot. On busy days, visitors have been forced to park at neighboring businesses and cross or walk alongside a busy road to reach us which is a safety hazard for seniors, families with young children, and anyone with mobility challenges. The ERC does have some lower-level accessible parking today, but not nearly enough to meet demand, especially for those who cannot navigate stairs.
Our Solution
Christian Neighbors is expanding our on-site parking lot by double! The project will:
- Eliminate overflow parking, removing the need for visitors to cross a busy road on foot.
- Add more accessible, lower-level spaces near the ERC, so those who cannot navigate stairs have safe, level entry to our programs.
- Meet current and future demand, ensuring capacity keeps pace with our growing programs.
- Support our volunteers, making it easier and safer for our 80+ regular volunteers who give their time
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a concrete project – it’s an investment in dignity. Every neighbor who comes to us for food, rent and utility assistance, education, or support deserves to arrive safely and be welcomed without barriers. A safer, more accessible campus means more seniors, more families, and more individuals with mobility challenges can reach the help and hope we offer.
Where Things Stand
Final construction bids are coming in now, and we expect to break ground in late summer or early fall 2026, with a target completion date of November 1, 2026.
Help Us Get There
This expansion is made possible in part by grants from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and Consumers Energy Foundation. If you’d like to support this project and help us build a safer, more welcoming campus for every neighbor who walks through our doors, contact Fund Development Manager Eric Hoffman at (269) 685-4166 ext. 100, ehoffman@christianneighbors.org, or donate on our website here Donate Now – Christian Neighbors and note that your gift is for the parking expansion.
Christian Neighbors mission statement: We provide a safe place for people in our community who need food, rent and utility assistance, education, or other resources to help create stability in their lives.
