Good Samaritan began in 1990 as an outreach service for local families. We had a handful of volunteers, the blessings of the local churches, and the use of the old fire hall in downtown Ellsworth. We were serving about 30 families per month.

In 1993 our ministry moved to what was the old meat block on White St. in Ellsworth. The building gave us more space. We were able to increase the size of our resale shop and had the ability to serve more families. Our staff of volunteers grew to about 15. We were serving about 70 families per month.

In 1998 we were told of the decision to demolish the meat block. Many decisions needed to be made. In order for the ministry to continue it was necessary to form a board of directors. The process of becoming incorporated began. We applied for 501(c)(3) status as a charitable organization, and Good Samaritan of Antrim County was official. A search began for a new building. In 1999 the ministry moved to our current location.

As we continued to grow, discussions about expanding our services beyond a resale shop and food pantry began. We envisioned a ministry helping single moms and their babies and young pregnant women. The Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church loaned us the use of this cozy little blue house next to the church in downtown Ellsworth. The Moms & Tots ministry began in 2001 under the direction of Kate Essenberg.

As our ministry evolved it was time to change our name to reflect the direction of the ministry. We became Good Samaritan Family Services. During the next couple of years the number of families we served doubled! We needed a bigger building. The board decided to put an addition on our existing building. Ground breaking began in 2003. Board members left to right: Bill Broadwick, Gene Drenth, Mary Peterson, Max Bolser, Paul Hizelberger, and Jerry Troyer.

With the help of grants, local churches, donations, and many volunteers the expansion was completed in 2004. The addition served home to the much larger food pantry, along with an office and storage space. Our monthly family count had grown to over 200.

As more Moms & Tots found their way to the little blue house space became an issue. The generous donation of land on Pleasant Hill Rd. opened the possibility to building a new center. The Building & Trades class at Charlevoix High School donated the labor and constructed our new center. Work continued into 2009 to completely move the center to its new location. In October of 2009, the move was complete.

By the beginning of 2009, we were serving over 600 local families each month. This meant more frequent visitors to both our pantry and resale shop. Things were so crowded a decision was made to again add-on to the building, this time with a focus on increasing the size and efficiency of the pantry itself, while also adding room for more food storage and a large area to house resale furniture. The project began in June and was quickly finished in September.