Simply put, we provide free, healthy, vegan meals to our community. We believe that food is a human right, and to that end we are here working to feed anyone without question or prerequisite.

JOIN US IN FEEDING THE COMMUNITY!

Current Projects :

  • Messy Bessy is a 1970's Airstream with a heart of gold! We're launching her to mean streets of Michigan in 2026 to serve more communities than just South Haven.

  • We're working toward bigger and bigger grants as well as actively courting major donor prospects to fund our future. We currenlty have enough donations at each meal to provide for the next, but we'd love to secure a budget that allows us to:

    • Put more $ back in farmers pockets

    • Hire staff

    • Offer kitchen training

  • We offer vegan and GF catering options for other organizations or any affair that wants to support our mission while eating delicious meals. Catering is available by request and each job is quoted to cover costs along with a built in donation percentage to help us grow!

Support our Capital Campaign now!

WHY FREE MEALS?

We believe the resources exist to connect farmers, food, and communities right here in Southwest Michigan. Each month we are excited to welcome meal sponsors, volunteers, and mouths to feed.

WHY ARE WE CALLED COLLECTIVE MESS?

Our name represents a combination of many things:

  1. We love the idea of a free mess hall! The definition of mess hall comes from North America and is used to define a place where people gather for a meal. But, to go back even further, mess (as it refers to food) comes to us in English from the Old French word mes …which means a portion of food.

  2. We are a collective :) A collaborative group of volunteers, farmers, and chefs working toward a common goal: feeding people!

  3. We have found ourselves, the American population, in a shared experience (i.e. collective mess) where millions will face food insecurity throughout their lifetime.

WHY NON-RELIGIOUS?

In a world of many insecurities, there are many who feel intimidated by the religious aspect of many food pantries, soup kitchens, and church aide. We offer a completely neutral form of nourishment that allows people from any background, upbringing, or religious belief to feel welcome at our table.

Meet the Team

Since 2024 for was our first year as a 501c3, our board is still small…but mighty! We are looking to add general board members as well as grow our advisory board. If you have any interest, please contact us.

  • Kiki Dennison - President

  • Luke Dennison - Treasurer

  • Mike Bouve - Secretary

  • We love working with communities, connecting resources, and feeding people. While we’ve been growing our small business, we worked full-time jobs until 2023:

    Luke - elementary teacher

    Kiki - nonprofit database coach

    Around this time we decided to form our own nonprofit and work toward destigmatizing food insecurity, while offering a nonreligious option for healthy meals in our area.


  • My wife (a MI native) and I moved to Michigan from Philadelphia where I taught high school. I was able to see how much community support is necessary in order for my students and their families to thrive.

    When Luke pitched me the idea for Collective Mess, I was instantly sold and wanted to contribute however I was able. It is a privilege to serve the communities of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan through this organization