Community Action Agency outlines expanded senior food deliveries, energy and utility assistance
March 27, 2024 | Ottawa County, Michigan
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At the board’s March 26 meeting, Jen Brzowski, the program director for the Ottawa County Community Action Agency, summarized the agency’s fiscal‑year‑2023 accomplishments and program data.
Brzowski said the agency runs four main program areas—energy efficiency, food security, emergency home repair and utility assistance—and that staffing changes and partnerships helped expand services. Key figures she presented included 53 home energy‑education appointments, 34 homes weatherized, 81 housing‑quality inspections, and two completed home‑rehab projects (the agency described the rehab program as a loan with partial forgiveness after five years).
On food programs, Brzowski said the senior food program averaged about 330 residents but grew roughly 30% after the agency added DoorDash deliveries, raising participation to nearly 400 seniors. She said the TFAP emergency food program averaged 14 households per month and delivered about 99,000 pounds of food in the year. In utility assistance, the agency provided 677 payments in FY23, of which 322 were funded by local fundraising such as a Walk for Warmth and grants from Holland and Zeeland Boards of Public Works.
Brzowski also outlined internal changes: the agency onboarded two staff members and an intern who helped boost client survey response rates; it adopted an online intake system to improve access and uses a county messaging tool to reach seniors. Brzowski noted the agency receives no county general‑fund support and is sustained by grants and fundraising, including the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which covers administrative costs.
Commissioners asked about coordination with local partners such as the Salvation Army and public‑works boards and about program measurement; Brzowski explained referral flows (211 and BPWs) and said the agency requires standard releases for coordinated service. She said the agency would continue work to refine intake, partner coordination and contractor capacity to scale weatherization work.
Brzowski closed by noting volunteer support—more than 1,100 volunteer hours—and upcoming community events where the agency will participate.
Brzowski said the agency runs four main program areas—energy efficiency, food security, emergency home repair and utility assistance—and that staffing changes and partnerships helped expand services. Key figures she presented included 53 home energy‑education appointments, 34 homes weatherized, 81 housing‑quality inspections, and two completed home‑rehab projects (the agency described the rehab program as a loan with partial forgiveness after five years).
On food programs, Brzowski said the senior food program averaged about 330 residents but grew roughly 30% after the agency added DoorDash deliveries, raising participation to nearly 400 seniors. She said the TFAP emergency food program averaged 14 households per month and delivered about 99,000 pounds of food in the year. In utility assistance, the agency provided 677 payments in FY23, of which 322 were funded by local fundraising such as a Walk for Warmth and grants from Holland and Zeeland Boards of Public Works.
Brzowski also outlined internal changes: the agency onboarded two staff members and an intern who helped boost client survey response rates; it adopted an online intake system to improve access and uses a county messaging tool to reach seniors. Brzowski noted the agency receives no county general‑fund support and is sustained by grants and fundraising, including the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which covers administrative costs.
Commissioners asked about coordination with local partners such as the Salvation Army and public‑works boards and about program measurement; Brzowski explained referral flows (211 and BPWs) and said the agency requires standard releases for coordinated service. She said the agency would continue work to refine intake, partner coordination and contractor capacity to scale weatherization work.
Brzowski closed by noting volunteer support—more than 1,100 volunteer hours—and upcoming community events where the agency will participate.
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