United Church Outreach Ministry

What United Church Outreach Ministry does

United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered at 1311 Chicago Dr SW, Wyoming, Michigan. UCOM operates as the designated Key Pantry within the ACCESS (All County Churches Emergency Services System) network, serving low-to-moderate-income and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households across southwest Kent County, including Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Grandville. Its core programs comprise the Healthy Choice Food Pantry (client-choice model emphasizing nutritious produce, lean meats, and proteins), the Farm Stand (discounted local Michigan produce), the Growing Green Neighbors community gardening program, the Culture of Health holistic wellness initiative, Work Skills job training, Tax Assistance via the VITA program, and Community Connections wraparound services (pet assistance, social work navigation, clothing pantry). UCOM is a covenanted ministry of the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ and is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors.

UCOM's service model is volunteer- and donation-driven, with 1-10 paid staff supplemented by 1,000+ annual volunteers, 20+ church partners, multiple local farm suppliers (Peach Ridge Farms, Visser Family Farms, Rakowski Family Farm, New City Neighbors), and institutional partners including Heart of West Michigan United Way, Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, Calvin University, City of Grand Rapids/Wyoming/Grandville, Corewell Health, MSU Extension, AARP, and Reemployability. The organization does not use proprietary technology platforms; operations rely on direct service delivery, volunteer coordination, and partner referrals (including United Way 211 Hotline). In 2024, UCOM served 4,345 individuals through the food pantry, distributed 574,623 meals, completed 27,363 food services, and returned approximately $707,088 to the community through the VITA tax program.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, major gifts and grants, and planned/legacy giving; no fees are charged for core food or tax services. The Farm Stand sells produce below cost, and CSA shares are offered at $5 per box (valued at $20) for SNAP recipients via the Michigan Farm to Family program. Distribution is regional and multi-channel: direct service at headquarters, partner church distribution to homebound residents, the on-site Farm Stand retail outlet, and community garden sites at Marquette Park. The organization's strategic direction is shaped by its 2017 transition to a Healthy Choice model, the 2018 wind-down of the Homework House tutoring program to refocus on health and wellness, and ongoing plans for facility renovation and program expansion.

Name

United Church Outreach Ministry

Legal name

United Church Outreach Ministry

Website

https://ucomgr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) is a Wyoming, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that operates as the Key Pantry for southwest Kent County, providing food assistance, health programming, job training, and tax help to low-to-moderate-income households in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Grandville.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAHALAB

Community-Owned / Nonprofit Grocery Stores

Consumer Products & Retail/Grocery & Food Retail/Food Co-ops & Community Grocery

SECONDARYEDALADAJ

Nutrition, Dietary Management & Allergen/Accommodation Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Dining, Food Services & Campus Retail

Keywords

• Food pantry services
• Community health programs
• Tax assistance services
• Job skills training
• Community gardening

Headquarters

HQ city

Wyoming

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: UCOM relies primarily on donations from individuals, churches, and community members. Donations support the Healthy Choice Food Pantry, Farm Stand, and other essential programs.
2. Major Gifts and Grants: Major gift donors and grant funding support program expansion, facility improvements, and endowment fund development. UCOM has received grant funding from organizations like Michigan Farm to Family: CSA (Michigan Fitness Foundation).
3. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through bequests, retirement assets, life insurance, charitable trusts, and donor-advised funds ensures long-term sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UCOM operates a Healthy Choice Food Pantry as a client-choice resource center distributing nutritious food, a Farm Stand selling discounted local Michigan produce, and wraparound programs including community gardening, health and wellness classes, job skills training, free tax preparation through the VITA program, and community connections services including pet and clothing assistance. All programs are delivered at the Wyoming, Michigan headquarters and through partner churches to neighbors facing food insecurity and economic hardship in southwest Kent County.

Product overview

United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) operates as a single integrated nonprofit organization offering multiple community support programs rather than a software product. The core service portfolio centers on the Healthy Choice Food Pantry as the primary food access point, supplemented by the Farm Stand for affordable local produce and Growing Green Neighbors for community gardening. Health and wellness programming through Culture of Health provides cooking classes, nutrition education, and exercise programs. Economic support services include Work Skills job training and Tax Assistance (VITA). Community Connections provides wraparound services including pet assistance, social work help, and clothing support. CSA shares are offered seasonally as an extension of the Farm Stand program. All programs are coordinated through UCOM's Wyoming, Michigan headquarters and served approximately 4,345 individuals in 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Healthy Choice Food Pantry: A client-choice food pantry providing nutritious food options to families and individuals in southwest Kent County.
• Farm Stand
• Growing Green Neighbors
• Culture of Health
• Work Skills
• Tax Assistance (VITA)
• Community Connections
• Homework House

Products and services

• Healthy Choice Food Pantry A client-choice food pantry providing nutritious food options including produce, lean meats, and proteins. Operates as the key resource center for Southwest Kent County, serving Grandville, most of Wyoming, and portions of southwest Grand Rapids. Free food assistance for individuals and families in need.
• Farm Stand A retail outlet selling fresh, locally sourced Michigan produce at discounted prices (below purchase cost) to ensure affordability for low-income and ALICE families. Accepts Bridge cards, cash, Senior Project Fresh coupons, and credit cards, and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program providing $2 tokens for every $2 spent.
• Growing Green Neighbors Community gardening program providing accessible square-foot garden boxes, community garden plots at Marquette Park, and an on-site hoop house for year-round gardening. Includes monthly gardening meetings and educational support to help community members grow their own produce.
• Culture of Health Holistic health program offering healthy cooking classes, nutrition education, walking club, health screenings, chair-based exercise classes, Passport to Health challenges, and mental health awareness activities in partnership with local health organizations including YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, MSU Extension, and Corewell Health.
• Work Skills Job skills training program providing soft skills development, safety training, conflict resolution, cross-training, and employment support through partnerships with Kent County Court Services, AARP, Reemployability, Paradigm, and Michigan Works.
• Tax Assistance (VITA Program) Free income tax preparation services for low-to-moderate-income households through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, operated in partnership with the Kent County Tax Credit Coalition and the IRS.
• Community Connections Wraparound support services including Kibble Connection pet food program, pet clinics, social work assistance for Medicaid/Medicare/SNAP applications, personal care and diaper pantries, clothing assistance, and seasonal community events.
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Periodic CSA share program in partnership with local farms offering seasonal produce boxes. Available to SNAP recipients who pay $5 per box (valued at $20) using their Bridge card, made possible through the Michigan Farm to Family program (Michigan Fitness Foundation).

Quantifiable outcome

• 574,623 meals distributed to neighbors in 2024
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bostwick Lake Congregational UCCcoreOthersChurch partner providing support through the ACCESS network. Part of the coordinated food relief effort in Kent County, serving as one of the church partners contributing to UCOM's mission.
• Christ Lutheran ChurchcoreOthersChurch partner in the ACCESS network supporting food distribution and community outreach efforts.
• East ChurchcoreOthersChurch partner supporting UCOM's community outreach and food assistance programs.
• Eighth Reformed ChurchcoreOthersChurch partner in the ACCESS network contributing to food relief efforts.
• First Congregational Church of Rockford, U.C.C.coreOthersChurch partner supporting UCOM's mission and community programs.
• First Reformed ChurchcoreOthersChurch partner providing ongoing support for community outreach initiatives.
• Michigan Conference of the United Church of ChristcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCOM is a covenanted ministry of the Michigan Conference of the UCC, providing denominational affiliation and connection to the broader church network.
• Heart of West Michigan United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor community partner; United Way's 211 Hotline directs community members to UCOM services. Key organization in the Kent County nonprofit ecosystem.
• Calvin UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing students from Calvin University provide free health screenings at UCOM, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
• City of Grand RapidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in the community collaboration supporting food access and health initiatives.
• City of WyomingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner where UCOM headquarters is located, supporting community development efforts.
• City of GrandvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in UCOM's service area.
• AARPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for job skills training program, providing workforce development support.
• Access of West MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting disability services and community resources.
• Peach Ridge FarmscoreOthersLocal Michigan farm partner supplying fresh produce for UCOM's Farm Stand. One of the farms sourcing produce for the community farm stand program.
• Visser Family FarmscoreOthersLocal farm supplying fresh produce to UCOM's Farm Stand, supporting local agriculture and food access.
• Rakowski Family FarmcoreOthersFarm partner providing local produce for the Farm Stand program.
• New City NeighborsminorOthersFarm partner contributing to community gardening and local food production efforts.
• AldiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner business supporting food access and community programs.
• MeijerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional retailer partner supporting community food initiatives.
• Spartan NashminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood distribution partner supplying products for community programs.
• Trader Joe'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner contributing to food access programs.
• YMCA of Greater Grand RapidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulture of Health program partner offering health and wellness programming including exercise classes and nutrition education.
• Michigan State University ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulture of Health partner providing nutrition education and Eat Healthy Be Active class series.
• Corewell HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing nutrition education classes as part of the Culture of Health program.
• Kent County Tax Credit CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, coordinating free tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income households.
• Humane Society of West MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Kibble Connection pet food distribution and pet care services including microchip and vaccine clinics.
• C-SNIPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing pet vaccination and microchip clinics at UCOM's Kibble Connection site.
• Home InsteadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Senior Christmas Gifts program, helping identify and deliver gifts to over 50 seniors during the holiday season.
• Kent County Court ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork Skills program partner providing job skills training opportunities for individuals in the court system.
• ReemployabilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork Skills training partner supporting employment services and workforce development.
• ParadigmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in work skills development and employment support programs.
• Michigan WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState workforce development agency partner supporting job skills training and employment programs.
• Double Up Food BuckscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram allowing SNAP/Bridge card users to receive $2 tokens for every $2 spent at UCOM's Farm Stand and participating farmers markets for fresh produce.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Access of West Michigan: Kent County-based food pantry coordination network and active UCOM partner. Operates the very ACCESS network UCOM helped create in 1990, coordinating dozens of church food pantries across the region — highly comparable model and overlapping geography.
• Community Action House: Nonprofit resource center in Ottawa County (adjacent to Kent) providing food pantry, clothing, financial assistance, and emergency services. Comparable community resource center model in neighboring West Michigan county serving similar low-income populations.
• Mel Trotter Ministries: Grand Rapids-based Christian nonprofit providing shelter, food, and recovery services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Comparable holistic-services nonprofit in the same Grand Rapids metro serving overlapping vulnerable populations.
• Feeding America West Michigan: Regional food bank serving 40 counties in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Direct peer operating a similar community food distribution model in overlapping Michigan geography, distributing millions of meals annually through partner pantries.
• Heart of West Michigan United Way: Regional United Way affiliate covering Kent County and surrounding areas. Active UCOM partner operating the 211 referral hotline that directs neighbors to UCOM services; comparable fundraising and grant-distribution role in the same community.
• Catholic Charities West Michigan: Multi-service Catholic nonprofit providing food assistance, pregnancy support, behavioral health, and immigration services across West Michigan. Directly comparable multi-program community services structure and overlapping service population.
• Degage Ministries: Grand Rapids nonprofit offering food, shelter, women's services, and case management to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Directly comparable multi-program community services model in the same metro area.
• North Kent Connect: Nonprofit community resource center in northern Kent County providing food pantry, clothing, financial assistance, and case management. Directly comparable service mix and client population, serving as a sister organization to UCOM in adjacent geography.
• Kent County Community Action: Government-affiliated anti-poverty agency serving Kent County with food, housing, heating assistance, and case management. Directly comparable poverty-services nonprofit operating in the same county with similar client base.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army of West Michigan: National faith-based nonprofit with Grand Rapids presence providing food pantries, emergency assistance, and holiday programs. Comparable food assistance and emergency services mission; broader national footprint but overlapping local service population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ucom_gr
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCOMgr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ucom-gr
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucomgr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Church Outreach Ministry