DOWAGIAC — Standing before the Dowagiac Rotary Club Thursday afternoon, leader of local charity organization ACTION Ministries, Jeff Neumann, said there was more to his organization than meets the eye.

“ACTION Ministries to most people, I believe, is a food pantry because that is our most visible operation,” Neumann said. “The food pantry is vital to what we do, but we also do so much more.”

Neumann presented to the Rotary Club about ACTION Ministries and what the organization does in the community Thursday during the club’s regular meeting. ACTION Ministries is a faith-based organization that provides a food pantry, transitional housing and worship services in the community, among other projects.

“ACTION has been a good for this community,” Neumann said. “I really, really believe that.”

As Neumann mentioned, one of the organization’s main operations is the food pantry that is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The pantry gives qualifying families groceries and food based on family size. On average, the food pantry serves 45 to 60 families a week, Neumann said.

One thing ACTION does differently than other pantries is that instead of having food recipients go through a line and pick up food, the organization has them fill out a form of what they need then wait while a volunteer packages it up for them, Neumann said. This allows for volunteers and church personnel to speak with the families who visit.

“Sometimes, we find someone with a need, and a pastoral person will sit and talk with them and pray with them,” Neumann said. “It’s amazing just what conversation can do for some people.”

Neumann also spoke on ACTION’s transitional housing program, which provides housing to people looking to restart their lives after leaving the Swift and Sure probation program or family treatment court. ACTION has two transitional housing units, one for women and one for men.

“Not many people are giving felons first runs at apartments, so they come to our facility,” Neumann said. “It’s just a good thing in this community that helps people become better. … Most of the people who have come through our facility have been success stories.”

Though the food pantry and the transitional housing program are two of ACTION’s most prominent programs, Neumann said that ACTION has its hands in many other community projects including the Feed the Hungry program and activities for the National Day of Prayer.

Neumann said he is proud of the work ACTION has done in the community and the way Dowagiac has embraced it. He invited the community to attend ACTION’s quarterly meetings to learn more about that the organization is doing in the community.

“We want you to see what ACTION is doing on a day to day basis and hear from people who care about other people.”