The Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, an effort of the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation, and its partner organizations are inviting residents, workers, employers, and community members to participate in the Leelanau County Attainable Housing Survey. The survey is designed to gather public input on housing needs and community priorities to help inform future housing solutions across the county.
Everything old is new again, as Samaritans’ Closet proves at its store in Lake Leelanau. Which is why it is now opening one in Empire. “It is a successful business model. Everyone loves it,” says Mary Stanton, executive director of Leelanau Christian Neighbors. The faith-based non-profit owns and runs Samaritans’ Closet, which stocks and sells items that are old, vintage, pre-loved, used—pick one. Actually, pick two, or three, or as many as you care to. Whether clothing and housewares, furniture and furnishings, art—anything someone wants to part with and that someone else may want can be found at the store. Now the longtime Lake Leelanau store is being joined by a second across the county. The new location is due to host its grand opening May 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 11840 S. Lacore Rd. It will then run on the same schedule as the Lake Leelanau store: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10-3 p.m. on Saturdays.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors announced today the expansion of its retail operations with a second Samaritans’ Closet thrift store, located in Empire. This new location aims to better serve the residents and visitors of the west side of Leelanau County, providing easier access to affordable goods and a convenient local donation center. LCN has officially signed the lease and is currently in the process of renovating the facility to create a welcoming shopping and donation experience. The organization expects to begin accepting community donations in mid-May. If renovations stay on track, LCN aims to host a grand opening and be fully operational by Memorial Day weekend, providing a fresh shopping destination just in time for the start of the summer season.
County residents in need of food assistance flock each Monday afternoon to Leelanau Christian Neighbors, where the food pantry shelves are stocked with fresh vegetables, from onions to butternut squash, and canned goods that cover all the food groups. Some lined up early on Nov. 3, two days after the federal government froze funding for SNAP—more commonly known as food stamps—which approximately 42 million Americans rely on for food each month. The floodgates weren’t open yet. “Now this is the month they’ll get way behind,” LCN executive director Mary Stanton predicted. “I’m anticipating December and January will be tough—especially as utilities kick in. But we’ve had a great outpouring of the community anticipating that it will get bad.” At a perilous moment for working people, Leelanau Christian Neighbors are stepping up, along with other community organizations including Food Rescue and the Northwest Food Coalition, 5 Loaves 2 Fish, the Empire Area Food Pantry, Folded Leaf, Lively NeighborFood Market, Art’s Tavern and the Empire Area Community Center—all of which have pledged additional support.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN) will host an open house for the public at their location at 7322 E. Duck Lake Rd. in Lake Leelanau on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 4:30-6:30 pm. No RSVP required. Join staff for a special self-guided tour of their facilities, meet the team behind LCN, and see the impact their programs are making in Leelanau County. Refreshments will be provided. The event will feature a major reveal. LCN will unveil something new that marks an exciting chapter for the organization. Come see what’s next for LCN.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors is proud to announce a significant expansion of its commitment to addressing the critical affordable housing shortage in Leelanau County with the purchase of two homes in Maple City. These acquisitions will provide much-needed long-term rental opportunities at below-market rates for local residents.
Jane Rapin, a community nutrition instructor with Michigan State University Extension, offered a food demonstration that featured fresh asparagus and quinoa salad earlier this spring at Leelanau Christian Neighbors’ food pantry in Lake Leelanau. May and early June are asparagus season in northwest Michigan, and LCN received a donation of locally grown stalks. “It was very well received. People were inspired by it,” said Rapin. “We did a short presentation about why this is nutritious and how cook with it. It’s important that we reach people who may not be familiar with asparagus.” Rapin’s work at the food pantry and other Leelanau locations including Northport high school and the Benodjenh tribal Head Start preschool in Peshawbestown is funded by the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, or commonly known as SNAP-Ed. The national nutrition education program is slated for elimination under the budget bill passed on May 22 by a single vote by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The Senate will pass its own bill in the coming weeks.
Get ready for an evening of Kentucky Derby excitement with a purpose. Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN) invites the community to its “Run for the Roses” Derby Party fundraiser on Thursday, May 1, starting at 6 pm. The festive event will be held at the picturesque Mountain Flower Lodge at The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Guests will enjoy the thrill of the Kentucky Derby, complete with delicious food and drinks, lively music, and the anticipation of the “greatest two minutes in sports”—all while directly supporting LCN’s crucial programs. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the Derby spirit and don their most stylish hats and bow ties.
With 2024 in the rearview mirror and 2025 upon us, we’re recognizing 25 “influencers” we covered in the Glen Arbor Sun this past year who are making a meaningful impact on Leelanau County communities, commerce, and culture. Read below about those 25 local influencers, who include everyone from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, to Leelanau Investing for Teens, to Empire’s polar dippers, to popular new destinations River Club Glen Arbor, the Sleeping Bear Inn, and the Lively’s NeighborFood Market.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN) has announced the recent purchase of a house located at the corner of M-204 and Co Rd-641 in Lake Leelanau — a strategic acquisition aimed at mitigating the affordable housing and rental crisis in Leelanau County. This initiative was made possible through LCN’s Affordable Housing Fund, underscoring the organization’s commitment to aiding those with inadequate resources the opportunity to live and thrive in the community.