The 20th annual Empty Bowls Soup Luncheons are serving up locally-made deliciousness on October 3 and 4 to help alleviate hunger in Newaygo County.

A fundraiser for TrueNorth Food Programs, Empty Bowls is an all-you-can-eat soup and bread buffet provided by participating local restaurants.

Empty Bowls is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. October 3 at the TrueNorth Service Center, 6308 S. Warner Avenue in Fremont; and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. October 4 at the Newaygo County Commission on Aging, 93 S. Gibbs Street in White Cloud. 

Tickets are $20 each or $150 for a table of eight. Tickets are to be available in advance at TrueNorth; online at https://www.truenorthservices.org/Donate-Now/Donate/emptybowls; or by contacting Donna Hren at 231.924.0641, ext. 144; and they will also be available at the door. 

Attendees can select a ceramic bowl made and/or decorated by local students and volunteers to take home as a reminder there are always those whose bowls are empty. 

Event sponsorships of $250, $500 and $1,000 are also offered. For more on sponsorships, contact Mark Kraus at 231.924.0641, ext. 161.

Circles Newaygo County strives to end poverty one family at a time. 

Our program is focused on personal exploration and growth, working with Circle Leaders (heads of families) to help them achieve self-sufficiency. We provide dinner and childcare for our Circle Leaders. You can take steps toward a better life by getting involved with Circles.

Or become someone who supports those efforts by becoming an Ally, volunteering to work alongside them on their journey forward. 

Or support the Circle Leaders and Allies as a volunteer with one of our resource teams. We are in also in need of childcare volunteers, who work with children at our weekly Circles meetings and volunteer from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays (with dinner included and the curriculum provided).

To get involved with, to find more details on, or to volunteer with Circles Newaygo County, call (231) 924-0641, ext. 220, or email circles@truenorthservices.org.

Circles is funded by a grant from Fremont Area Community Foundation​ and is affiliated with Circles USA​.

TrueMentors is focused on nurturing kids.

TrueMentors' community mentoring volunteers are matched with Newaygo County youth between the ages of 5 to 14 years old in a one-to-one mentoring relationship for a minimum one-year commitment.

To apply to be a mentor with TrueMentors, contact us by email at truementors@truenorthservices.org or call (231) 924-0641, ext. 109.

You can help support TrueMentors by making a financial contribution to the program; get the details here.

TrueNorth Community Services' emPower heat and energy assistance program assists people struggling to afford their utility and deliverable fuels bills in Michigan, helping them to become self-sufficient.

emPower is working to provide help across Michigan for 2018-2019 in partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Agency for Energy.

These are the steps to discover success with emPower’s assistance through its Self-Sufficiency Services:

1. Complete and be approved for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ State Emergency Relief (SER) assistance. Apply through MI Bridges
2. Choose TrueNorth Community Services as your referral partner
3. Get contacted by emPower to start your self-sufficiency journey

For more details, visit our emPower information page ; visit emPower's website or call 231.355.5880.

There are a range of community activities to enjoy at Camp Newaygo. Discover someplace special.

The upcoming events include:

Fall Girlfriends' Getaway, Friday-Sunday, October 4-6. An all-inclusive weekend filled with relaxation and fun; includes lodging, meals, and activities with optional Zipline Canopy Tour and on-site pampering via massage and/or facial. Cost: $205 per person for all programs, meals, and lodging.

Flygirls' Getaway, Friday-Sunday, October 4-6. An all-inclusive women-only weekend with fun and interactive immersion into the sport of fly fishing for every level, from the total beginner through the most experienced angler. Cost: $490 per person, including all camp programs, guided river trip, meals and lodging.

Halloweekend, Friday-Sunday, October 25-27. Bring the whole family during Camp Newaygo’s Halloweekend Festival. Get into the spooky spirit with face painting, trolley rides, a Halloween craft, home made donuts, a cider press, Halloween bingo, pumpkin painting, spooky cabin tours, and a petting zoo. Hours are 4 p.m.-7 p.m. October 25 and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. October 26-27. Cost: $7 per person or $25 for a family of four. 

Camp Newaygo Trick or Trot 5K Run/Walk, Saturday, October 26. A benefit for Camp Newaygo, the five-kilometer (3.1-mile) run and walk winds through the Chain of Lakes — Emerald, Sylvan and Pickerel; and has a 10 a.m. start and starts and ends at Camp Newaygo. Registration is in advance; or 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Saturday, October 26. Cost: $30 per person. The race is part of the three-part Holiday Hustle Series, in partnership with Tamarac and the River Country Chamber of Commerce and also including the Tamarac Turkey Trot on November 28 and the St. Nick Kick on December 7. 

For more information, call (231) 652-1184 or email campbiz@campnewaygo.org. Camp Newaygo is located at 5333 South Centerline Road in Newaygo. 

When people ask: "Why should I support and/or volunteer for TrueNorth Community Services?" We say: "Because ..."