history

In the spring of 1996, the congregation at Gateway Community Church gathered around a vision to help feed and clothe those in crisis in Zeeland and surrounding townships.

The need was so great that Gateway Community Church needed relief and sought assistance from other area churches. In the fall of 1996, 10 additional area churches joined Gateway “to share, to bless, and to be available to those in need, with the desire that the Lord would receive all the glory through their giving.”

His Harvest Stand officially opened its doors on May 10, 1997, offering a food pantry, free clothing, and practical household goods. The ministry grew, becoming a 501(c)3 organization in 2003.

His Harvest Stand moved to City On A Hill in 2006 to expand and enhance the level of service provided. We added resource connection assistance to our repertoire, seeing the need to help people navigate through rivers of systems and processes to find the best way out of crisis. In 2016, we changed our name to Harvest Stand Ministries to reflect these expanded services.

In 2019, we launched our Micro-Pantry program, to make more emergency food available. In 2023, we started our off sight Satellite Pantry program, and we also celebrated 25 years of being open to the community. We look forward to many more years of serving Zeeland.

At Harvest Stand Ministries, we don’t define people by their situation or circumstances. We see them as children of God. Life is complicated, and we sometimes find ourselves in situations that require outside assistance. Those who interact with us experience grace, compassion, love, and mercy as we walk alongside them, supporting them as they journey from crisis to contributing to our world in meaningful ways. We are passionate about spreading and showing the love of Christ in all that we do.