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The Front Porch Ministries
A non-denominational, community outreach
Board of directors:
Bob Felton - Chairperson, Mary Peterson – Vice Chair/Vicar, Michelle Fox – Secretary,
Katie Sowers, Gail Rubingh, Rhonda Thorman -- Treasurer
Contact Information: P.O. Box 37 Ellsworth, MI 49729
Café - 231-588-2000
Bob Felton - 231-350-1817
The History
In the fall of 2007 the concept of a non-profit community restaurant in Ellsworth germinated in the mind of Bob Felton--Outreach Facilitator at Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church. The burden on his heart was to have a viable and inviting place where the community could come together for fellowship over food and drink. As a staff person charged with increasing the outreach capacity of the Ellsworth CRC, and as a student in a seminary program focused on innovative outreach strategies, his desire was to see a thriving venue in Ellsworth where people from the faith community could connect with those from “outside the church,” and where they could learn about and participate in meeting real needs in the community.
At that same time, the Ellsworth Diner was struggling. The pressures of operating a restaurant in a small town and trying to maintain a family life were threatening to close the Diner for the fourth time in ten years. There were people in the community who were committed to seeing the Diner stay open and were passionate about preserving and promoting fellowship in the community. This resulted in their organizing and subsidizing weekly “senior” and “family” dinners during the winter months. The dinners were well attended and by all appearances successful at increasing fellowship in the community; but, the burden of too many hours of work and too little return on investment had already taken its toll. The Diner closed its doors in February of 2008, leaving the community without a venue for community fellowship. During those “senior” and “family” dinners, however, the community had gotten a taste for what things could be like if there was a viable, community-focused place to gather for food, drink and fellowship in Ellsworth.
Less than 30 days later, the Ellsworth Grocery—a grocery, party store and deli in Ellsworth—also found it impossible to meet its obligations and closed its doors. The town of Ellsworth found itself with no place to buy groceries, eat breakfast, or gather together for coffee and conversation. The need for a place to eat, drink and connect was going unmet. Inevitably, the community began to feel a sense of disconnectedness. A general sense of economic despair was also beginning to settle in. Each time a business closed, it meant reduced traffic for all the other businesses in town, and it seemed Ellsworth was being hopelessly sucked into a downward economic spiral.
One could hope that another willing party would come in and infuse another round of youthful exuberance into the restaurant; but for how long? In the present economic context, it seems unlikely that even the most energetic entrepreneur could sustain the kind of effort it takes to make the small town restaurant succeed for any extended period of time. Besides, it would remain to be seen whether a new restaurateur would be accommodating to the area churches in their efforts to innovatively reach out to their community. Could the faith community count on using the facility for special small group meetings where people from “outside the church” could explore spiritual topics?
Around that same time, Mary Peterson—director of the Good Samaritan Family Services in Ellsworth—had been envisioning a place in the community where seniors (and others) could get together for fellowship and participate in fun activities like quilting or scrapbooking. She, and Carole Broadwick—director of the Moms and Tots Center—also had vision for life skills training for at risk individuals in the community, such as computer classes, meal preparation classes, parenting and financial classes, etc. Furthermore, Mary had learned of a non-profit restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah called One World, Everybody Eats Café, where they intentionally battled hunger and food waste by providing flexibly portioned, nutritious meals from a menu without prices, and where low-income folks could work in exchange for food vouchers. A few phone conversations between Bob and Mary later, and the general concept of a non-profit, community-focused, outreach minded, socially-responsible restaurant/community center was conceived.
It seemed quite clear that God was calling this project into existence; for, as “crazy” as the whole idea seemed, and as difficult as it was to articulate, people at every turn reacted positively and lent their encouragement. Pastor Carl of the Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church was one of the first to encourage and to offer his wisdom to the early gestational process. However, this tiny group of interested people knew that if this project was going to succeed, it would have to be a bigger effort than just they could muster, and that it would have to involve a wider circle of the faith community than just one, or even two churches. If this was going to work, it would “take a village” to make it happen.
On another front altogether, In late 2007, a task force (led by Thomas Mann—Banks Township supervisor) was formed to discuss ways to increase the economic viability of Ellsworth. The task force implemented the Breezeway Project to improve C-48 and route more traffic through Ellsworth. It also dreamed up a local farmer’s market and set an opening date for August 2. The idea, again, was to bring more traffic into Ellsworth. While economic development was its primary focus, the task force was also concerned about the “psyche” of the town; they desired to see community restored in Ellsworth. The community café idea seemed to fit nicely with what they where trying to accomplish. The primary focus of the Front Porch Ministries (as it has recently been named) was on community development; but it was anticipated that economic development in Ellsworth would be an inevitable and welcomed side benefit. At its meeting in May, the task force was asked to officially endorse the project, which it wholeheartedly did; and plans were made to cross-promote the farmers’ market and the café.
The café team quickly expanded to include Pastor Chris Wallace of the Ellsworth Wesleyan Church, Katie Sowers—former owner of the Diner during a time when the restaurant was booming, Michelle Fox—a well-respected teacher and former administrator in the community school, and Gail Rubingh—a respected community activist and employee of the Tapawingo Restaurant. Early consultation was also sought from Stan Moore of the Michigan State Extension office in Antrim County, Bill Broadwick—development director for Good Samaritan Family Services and the Moms and Tots Center, and Debbie McKeon of the NorthSky Non-Profit Network. In June of 2008, after months of thinking, praying, and talking with people in the community, a founding board of directors was formed, consisting of: Bob Felton—Chairman, Mary Peterson—Vice Chair/Vicar, Michelle Fox—Secretary, Katie Sowers, and Gail Rubingh. Rhonda Thorman—a business owner and “type-A-go-getter” was added to the board of directors in August and agreed to take on the office of treasurer. The idea was to have a team of people who were well respected in the community, who were from several different Christian denominations, who cared deeply about the needs of people in the community, and who had the talents and experience to get the job done. Articles of incorporation were drawn up and recorded with the State of Michigan on July 21, 2008 naming the organization The Front Porch Ministries (Tax ID# 26 – 3016971.)
The board soon widened its pool of human resources by forming several committees made up of other individuals in the community who had the needed vision, talent, and experience to see the project through to fruition. The committees put the wheels in motion for an August 2 fundraising open-house and breakfast. The property committee made sure that the interior of the building and all of the equipment was in good, clean working order. As many as 20 people showed up during the week before August 2 to make sure the facility would be ready. The efforts of John Hastings (of Hastings Funeral Home) are particularly notable, as he spent several long days cleaning and fixing. Jerroll Drenth repainted the sign out front, and the barrels received a floral treatment by Marilyn Drenth. The program committee, with Scott Sowers at the grill, planned and prepared an excellent buffet of breakfast foods. They scrambled 30 dozen eggs, and then scrambled to find 16 more dozen to try to satisfy the long line of patrons waiting to indulge. Others made baked goods to complement the “fair trade” coffee from Guatemala. The show of community support in preparing for the event could only be eclipsed by the 250+ people streaming into the restaurant for the Saturday Breakfast and open house. The team was pleased and encouraged by the $3,152 received at the fundraiser.
Not only was the breakfast a success (meeting both financial and social goals); but it was later learned that the vendors at the Farmers’ market sold out of their goods and that Bob Vollmer—a local car dealer--sold two cars. Again, the focus of The Front Porch is on community development; but it seems that economic development is an inevitable and welcomed side benefit. We are convinced that The Front Porch is exactly what Ellsworth needs to restore community, welcome visitors, revitalize the outreach energy in its faith community, and even jump start its economic development.
Our Mission
The Mission of The Front Porch Ministries is to build community within Ellsworth and the surrounding area, by:
- providing a facility within the community where people can gather for food, drink and fellowship
- providing a venue for area ministries and community organizations to connect with people in an informal, non-threatening environment
- partnering with area ministries and community organizations to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people in the community and beyond
Our Vision
1. In order to provide a facility within the community where people can gather for food, drink, and fellowship, we envision:
· purchasing the former Ellsworth Diner building at 9235 Main St. and staffing it as needed on a daily basis between the hours of 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM
· serving food from a flexible breakfast menu available 7 AM to 2 PM, and a basic lunch menu available from 11:00-2:00 (see appendix 5 for menu)
· offering a bottomless cup of fresh-brewed coffee accompanied by hot-from-the-oven baked goods
· providing a large, round, “community table” where people may gather to “solve the world’s problems”
· facilitating “family-style” dinners from time to time staffed by volunteers and/or sponsored by area churches or organizations
· hosting small community-center activities, such as: senior lunches, quilting classes, computer instruction, ice cream socials, youth events, music and arts events, etc
2. In order to provide a place for area ministries and community organizations to connect with people in the community, we envision:
· encouraging area ministry leaders to spend time in the Front Porch making relationships and discovering the needs of people in the community
· arranging an area in the rear of the facility with comfortable chairs, coffee tables, and a television with DVD/computer hookup to provide a comfortable atmosphere for small group conversation and/or learning opportunities
· making the facility available for churches, ministries, and other community organizations to utilize for small groups and other community-oriented events, both during and after normal business hours
3. In order to partner with area ministries and community organizations to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people in the community and beyond, we envision:
· using our resources of facilities, labor and food to support and enhance the purposes and programs of local ministries and community organizations
· collaborating with Good Samaritan Family Services by providing low-cost or free nutritious meals to “at-risk” individuals and families through a voucher system
· providing job training and job-related life skills training for young people and adults
· providing a “resource area” where books, CD’s and DVD’s may be placed and distributed or loaned out by area ministries
· hosting the pastors’ breakfasts, Good Sam board meetings, and other area ministry and community organization meetings
· serving the needs of local food producers by utilizing locally-produced food items whenever possible and by offering locally produced items for sale in our front display cases
· serving the underprivileged in third-world countries by utilizing fair trade coffees and other products as they are available
Cooperation with Area Ministries and Community Organizations
Cooperation with area ministries and organizations has been woven into the fabric of the Front Porch. The board and the committees were intentionally made up of people who are intimately involved in other ministries and organizations in the community and who are members of churches from various denominations. Through the board and committee members, concrete connections exist between The Front Porch and: The Good Samaritan Family Services, The Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church, The Ellsworth Wesleyan Church, The Belltower Reformed Church, The Eastport Baptist Church, The Ellsworth Community Schools, The Ellsworth Lions and Lionesses, The Banks Township Board, Michigan State Extension Service, etc.
The Need
The need for a stable and inviting local place to eat, drink and fellowship in Ellsworth is un-deniable. The calling to develop community, to provide a venue for spiritually significant conversation, and to make connections for the purpose of meeting needs is irresistible.
What still remains are: a need for ongoing volunteer help, and financial contributions to help us pay off the building within the terms of our 5-year, no-interest loan. Determination of 501(c)3 tax exempt status was granted by the IRS in August of 2009.
To volunteer, please ask for a volunteer application at the Front Porch. To donate, please contact Bob Felton at 231-350-1817.
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