Backpacks provisioned with food will help youngsters through the weekend
Hungry youngsters get a break with backpacks filled with food donated to fill the weekend meal gap.
On the Ground
On the Ground helps to tell the stories of the people, projects, and innovations that are creating “what’s next” for Southwest Michigan.
Published by Southwest Michigan Second Wave, the mission of On the Ground is to connect readers to the area's most visionary and active people, businesses, and organizations — elevating a wide diversity of voices and contributing to the community conversation about what it means to call Southwest Michigan home.
Our journalists engage residents through regular listening sessions, events, and conversations to build trusted relationships that shape the community’s unique, solutions-oriented stories. We want to know what you think because what you think matters.
The On the Ground Battle Creek team includes Project Editor Jane Parikh and Photographer John Grap. The On the Ground Kalamazoo team includes Project Editor Al Jones and Photographer Fran Dwight. The Managing Editor for both series is Theresa Coty O'Neil.
HAVE A STORY IDEA?
We’re always looking for story content. Send your Battle Creek or Calhoun County ideas to otgreporter18@gmail.com. Send your Kalamazoo or Kalamazoo County ideas to editor@swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com.
The Fire Hub restaurant, a casino spinoff, feeds its customers and funds food pantry
What happens when you have too much food on one hand and people without enough food on the other. For FireKeepers the answer was a restaurant and food pantry combo.
‘Archeologist of Style’: On the Ground Eastside photographer Eric Hennig digs the ‘old and arcane’
This is the story of how an Etsy shop morphed into a fulltime photography business complete with a mastery of tintypes.
Saving smiles since high school: Now Tiffany Burns is saving them on the road
Many people underestimate the link between strong teeth and strong bodies. Mobile hygienist Tiffany Burns works to help them make that connection.
ENet makes it happen on the Eastside and wants residents involved
ENet hosts events that promote togetherness and it engages with residents to make the Eastside a great place to live and work and play.
Kzoo Makers: A model for Eastsiders to make what they have into what they want
Inside a long white building, just inside the boundary of the Eastside, a clan of makers are finding solutions to problems in ways that are innovative, collaborative, and often surprisingly affordable. This is the home of Kzoo Makers.
Urbandale resident starts drive to get Dog Park for Battle Creek
Residents hope to raise $40,000 to open a Dog Park in Bailey Park, which the city says is the best location for frolicking canines.
This Battle Creek church serves as an anchor for Urbandale neighbors
Free food, clothing, books, and a safe place to land are just the beginnings of the ways Christ United Methodist Church in Urbandale helps its neighbors.
Financial incentive offered to encouarge restaurant development in downtown Battle Creek
Battle Creek Unlimited is looking for a restaurant to complement the existing eateries downtown.
Kalamazoo, look East: Growth is on its way
Welcome to Kalamazoo's Eastside, a neighborhood poised to help businesses restore the area's vitality.
