barrycountyfoundation

Hastings to Celebrate Opening of $40+ Million Riverwalk Lofts & Mill Street Market

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 17:14:43 GMT

Hastings Riverwalk Lofts and Mill street market ribbon cutting celebration

The Barry Community Foundation and development partners will host a ribbon cutting and community celebration for the new Hastings Riverwalk Lofts and Mill Street Market campus in downtown Hastings.

The more than $40 million development represents one of the largest investments in Barry County in recent history and brings new housing, workforce housing, childcare, food and business opportunities to the community.

Following the ribbon cutting and program, media and guests will have an opportunity to tour portions of the campus.

WHEN:
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
1:30 p.m. – Principal/partner gathering (Please RSVP)
2:00 p.m. – Ribbon cutting and program (Please RSVP)
2:30–4:30 p.m. – Tours and opportunities for interviews (Open to public)

WHERE:
420 E. Mill St.
Hastings, MI 49058

WHY IT MATTERS:
The Riverwalk Lofts and Mill Street Market campus includes 135 residential units, including workforce housing, a 60-slot childcare center, a farm stop, an incubator and culinary arts kitchen, and additional space designed to support local businesses and community activity.

The project also brought significant construction activity to Hastings, with an average of approximately 130 workers onsite daily during construction.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
• Ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks
• Interviews with project leaders and development partners
• Photos/video of the new campus
• Tours of Riverwalk Lofts and Mill Street Market
• Opportunity to speak with community partners involved in the project

Media representatives are welcome to attend and are encouraged to RSVP or contact us with any questions.

Two TAEF Mom's Scholarship Recipients Selected

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:19:39 GMT

Two TAEF Mom’s Scholarship Recipients Selected

The Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation is pleased to announce Cloe Oliver of Hastings and Rebecca Pruess of Delton as the 2026 recipients of the Mom’s Scholarship. Developed in memory of Virginia Hoover Harrison Root, a well-respected Barry County mother and teacher who went back to school in 1972 at age 65 and attained a BS from Western Michigan.

"This mom’s scholarship isn’t just financial aid — it is a recognition that a mother returning to school is rebuilding her whole family's future in a positive way. When we help to remove financial barriers, we're telling her that the sacrifice she's already made is valued and worth investing in." said BCF/TAEF Scholarship Administrator, Annie Halle.

The Mom’s Scholarship is given to a Barry County mother who is a primary financial contributor for her family and has children under the age of 18 living in her home. The recipient must be seeking a post-high school degree or vocation at an accredited college, university, or trade school.

Oliver is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management at Western Governors University.

Pruess is pursuing a degree in Social Work at Spring Arbor University.

TAEF is a geographic affiliate of the Barry Community Foundation.

Left to right: Cloe Oliver, Annie Halle, Christine Schad Hinklin

Farmers Market Wraps Up Season with Halloween Celebration

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:03:54 GMT

Barry Community Farmers Market Wraps Up Season with Halloween Celebration

The Hastings Downtown Farmers Market is wrapping up another season of bringing local farmers, makers, food producers and community members together in downtown Hastings.

The 2026 market season will officially come to a close on Saturday, October 31, with a special Halloween-themed celebration planned for the final market day.

Shoppers and families are invited to stop by the market for a festive morning featuring giveaways, face painting, a free trick-or-treat canvas coloring station for kids, games, music and more.

The October 31 celebration will be the final outdoor market of the 2026 season and an opportunity for the community to come together, support local vendors and celebrate another successful year of the Barry Community Farmers Market.

Looking Ahead: Winter Farmers Market

While the outdoor season is coming to an end, local shopping doesn't have to. The Farmers Market will return indoors for a Winter Farmers Market on December 5 at the Barry Community Enrichment Center (BCEC).

Winter Farmers Market: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10AM-2PM

Local vendors interested in participating in the winter market are encouraged to sign up now .

Or contact Zellie Sweeney, (269) 945-0526, zellie@barrycf.org

The winter market will provide another opportunity for community members to shop locally, discover area producers and makers, and continue supporting the people and businesses that make Barry County special.

Thank You, Barry County

The Barry Community Farmers Market extends its thanks to the vendors, volunteers, community partners and shoppers who helped make the 2026 season possible.

From fresh produce and baked goods to handmade products and local specialties, the market continues to create a place for people to connect with local businesses and with one another.

Join us October 31 for the final outdoor market of the season and mark your calendar for December 5 to keep shopping local indoors.

Halloween Hastings Farmers Market: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Winter Farmers Market: Saturday, December 5, 2026

Location: Barry Community Enrichment Center (BCEC) - 231 S. Broadway St, Hastings, MI 49058

Vendor Sign-Up: https://formsbcf.org/view.php?id=150143

YAC Mini-Grant Helps Hastings Middle School Football Team Add New Practice Equipment

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:09:50 GMT

YAC Mini-Grant Helps Hastings Middle School Football Team Add New Practice Equipment

A recent mini-grant from the Barry Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is helping the Hastings Middle School football team add new equipment to its practice field.

The $290 grant will provide the team with two 12-pound heavy-duty foam stand-up blocking dummies. The equipment will give students an additional tool to practice proper tackling techniques in a controlled setting, without having to tackle another player.

The grant request was submitted by eighth-grade student Lucas Timothy Evers, who identified the need for additional tackling equipment for the football program. Evers noted that the new dummies will be especially helpful for students who are new to the sport and will provide equipment that can be used by future classes of student-athletes.

The new equipment is expected to serve seventh- and eighth-grade students and could remain in use for years with proper care. The application estimates the dummies could last five to 10 years, allowing multiple groups of students to benefit from the investment.

The Barry Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council is a youth-led group that provides young people with opportunities to learn about philanthropy, identify community needs and make funding decisions that benefit youth throughout Barry County.

Introducing The Bridge, a New Community for Young Professionals

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:42:18 GMT

Barry Community Foundation Launches The Bridge, a New Community for Young Professionals

Membership is now open for the program's founding year, with a public kickoff event set for October 15 in downtown Hastings

The Barry Community Foundation today announced the launch of The Bridge, a new community program designed to connect young professionals in Barry County through social engagement, professional development, and hands-on philanthropy.

The Bridge brings together people ages 21–40 who want to build relationships, grow personally and professionally, and have a direct voice in local giving. Throughout the year, members will take part in social events, volunteer opportunities, and networking gatherings, while also reviewing grant proposals from local nonprofits and voting together on which community projects receive funding. A portion of every membership also supports The Bridge Endowment Fund, extending the program's impact for years to come.

"What makes The Bridge different is that members don't just show up to events, they help decide where real grant dollars go in Barry County. That's a level of hands-on impact that's rare for a group this new." says one of The Bridge coordinators and Communications Manager at Barry Community Foundation, Allison Cobb.

Membership registration is open now through November 11, 2026, with dues of $100 annually or $25 per quarter. Individuals aged 40 and older are welcome to participate as mentors, offering guidance and experience to younger members without holding a vote in grant decisions.

The Bridge also offers local businesses an opportunity to invest in their employees and their community by sponsoring membership on an employee's behalf.

Barry County residents can get an early look at the program at The Bridge's first public event, held October 15 at Waldorf's in downtown Hastings. The gathering is open to the community, whether attendees have already joined, and will include food, drinks, and a chance to meet current members and program organizers.

Three Scholarships Awarded to Barry County 4-H Members

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:35:39 GMT

Three Scholarships Awarded to Barry County 4-H Members

This year 3 scholarships were given to Barry County graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary opportunities. The students receiving these scholarships have shown dedication to the Barry County 4-H program. 4-H is a U.S.-based network of youth organizations whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.” Today 4-H offers a diverse range of topics and interest areas. 4-H is also the largest youth development organization in Michigan.

Annemarie Allerding of Hastings High School received both the Gordon and Carolyn Worth Scholarship and the Jane Morris 4-H Scholarship. Annemarie has participated in Barry County 4-H since 2021, where she raised several livestock projects in both the swine and dairy feeder concentrations. Additionally, Annemarie has been a dedicated member of Hastings FFA since her freshman year and served as the chapter president. In the spring of 2025, Annemarie also helped launch the Hastings Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and continues to serve on its leadership board. She will be attending Cornerstone University this fall, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Carisa Rosenberger of Hastings Area Schools received the Travis Wenger 4-H Scholarship. Carisa has participated in Barry County 4-H raising and showing cattle, an experience she credits with shaping her sense of responsibility and confidence. Carisa has also been active in her community through YAC, Interact, FFA, FCA, Student Council, and NHS. She will be attending Michigan State University this fall, pursuing Kinesiology.

“The Barry Community Foundation and the Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation along with their donors are very proud to support students who participate in our county’s 4-H program. Barry County 4-H has had a rich history and instills the type of dedication, leadership, and engagement skills that our youth need to be successful, ” said Annie Halle, Chief Operating Officer at the Barry Community Foundation.

Annemarie with Carolyn Worth

Annemarie with Jane Morris’ Son - Paden Morris

Carisa Rosenberger

Supporting Mental Health

Thu, 09 May 2024 19:38:25 GMT

Mental Health Is Healthcare

Removing the stigma of mental illness is the first step to finding resources that can help improve mental health care in our county. While several resources are available, making those resources accessible becomes increasingly important to our community, neighbors, friends, and family. The Barry Community Foundation generously funds programs designed to improve the health of our residents, including fostering and supporting programs designed to provide mental healthcare. Nowhere is mental healthcare more critical than supporting our children, and this is why we partner with Corewell Health Foundation to fund great ideas that improve access and provide services to our schools.

4 Key Programs For Kids

Thu, 09 May 2024 19:35:02 GMT

Barry County Students Benefit from Our Education-Focused Support

The Barry Community Foundation has always made education a priority. From providing classroom grants to generous scholarships, we know education is a key ingredient to fostering a healthy and vibrant community. This is why the board of directors, affiliate foundations, and the staff at BCF support several initiatives and programs for students. These four programs demonstrate just a fraction of the impact on communities and in our schools.

Trusted Partner

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:28:12 GMT

From Libraries to the Elderly, We are Here to He lp

The Barry Community Foundation strives to be a trusted agent for positive change in our community. We have extensive expertise in managing funds, which makes us crucial in collecting, distributing, and filing requirements with government agencies. The commitment to transparency and accountability is demonstrated through annual audits, guaranteeing the integrity of contributions and payments.