The Father Fred Foundation

Established in 1989 by Father Edwin Frederick, The Father Fred Foundation was founded to assist the residents of the Grand Traverse region with needs that could not be serviced or met elsewhere. Its doors are open to all residents in need and all who enter are treated with dignity, love and respect. The mission of The Father Fred Foundation is to “listen to community needs, care for the distressed, the poor and the suffering, and share its resources in a loving and respectful manner.” The community impact that The Father Fred Foundation has brought to the Grand Traverse region is significant. The foundation is able to impact over 6000 families and 9000 children all without any state or federal funding. All of the foundations funding comes straight from the community through generous donations and volunteers. The foundation offers free food, clothing, furniture, household goods and in some instances financial assistance to residents in crisis throughout the Grand Traverse region.

I recently visited the facility to meet with the volunteer coordinator about serving opportunities. As I walked into the building I was greeted with a smile and a nice volunteer ready and willing to help me. For as busy as it was on the day that I visited, it wasn’t chaotic but extremely well organized and planned out. All the volunteers were well trained and knew how to do their job effectively with love and compassion. There was even a chaplain available who was mingling about the lobby to see if there was any prayer or spiritual needs that needed to be met. As I went on with the rest of my tour of the facility I noticed that the majority of the people working there were volunteers. There are only a handful of people who actually work for the foundation, the rest are volunteers. It takes about 25 to 30 volunteers each and every day for the foundation to function properly. Without the support of the community and volunteers the foundation could not exist. It did not take me long to notice how much God was moving in that lobby. As I watched people come in and be greeted and tell their story to a volunteer I could see God changing hearts and opening minds and best of all watch people helping each other out in their time of need. I really liked the openness to the community especially in the sense that The Father Fred Foundation has become a beacon of light to people when all other lights have gone out. It brings back the true meaning of what Jesus says about loving one another and taking care of each other.

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

When my tour was finished and I was heading home I was struck by the awesome power of change that one organization can have on a community. I am excited to go back and volunteer there. The average volunteer at The Father Fred Foundation works only 4 hours a week or 16 hours per month and yet the work performed to the community in that small amount of time has enough power behind it to make life changing impacts. It should be enough to make us all want to run out and do our part. After all we receive the best gift of all when we give of ourselves.

Do you have 4 hours a week to spare? Have you always thought about volunteering some where but didn’t know how to start the process? If you would like to learn more information about The Father Fred Foundation and about how to become a volunteer with them please check out this link: http://www.fatherfred.org/volunteer/

If you would like to donate to The Father Fred Foundation please check out this link: http://www.fatherfred.org/donate/