By Carol Stiffler
Volunteers are working as fast as they can to gather food and funds for food for low-income households in Luce and Mackinac counties. They’ve got a matter of days left before area residents feel the pinch of not receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees SNAP at the federal level, and updated their website with a highly partisan message blaming Senate Democrats for voting down SNAP funding, even though Republicans currently have the Senate majority. The government has been shut down since October 1 because the two parties could not agree on a federal budget before the mandated deadline of October 1.
Politics aside, the impact here in the Eastern Upper Peninsula will be strong. According to Michigan Farm News, 27.5% of Mackinac County and 26.1% of Luce County residents rely on SNAP to help them fight food insecurity. Mackinac and Luce counties are among Michigan’s top five counties for SNAP usage per capita. The other three in the top five for food insecurity are Wayne County (27.9%), Roscommon County (27.4%), and Lake County (26.8%).
In Newberry, an urgent call for food donations has gone out to churches and the community at large. Known efforts include:
At God’s Country Cooperative Ministry, a weekly food drive will accept food and paper products, financial donations, and even some blankets, on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekly food distributions are being planned for Wednesdays beginning November 5; visit https://www.gccommunityministries.org for more details as they are confirmed. The cooperative ministry is located in the Dunlap Ministry Center (old Pentland School) at 6545 S M-123, Newberry. Call 906-293-7017 for help or to offer to volunteer. Information on how to donate is also found on their website.
The Community Action Agency in Newberry just announced an immediate need to fill the food pantry, requesting cereals, soups, canned tuna or chicken, spaghetti noodles, peanut butter and jelly, juice, and many non-expired pantry staples. People can drop off food donations during daily business hours. The agency does not currently need canned beans, canned corn, or macaroni and cheese. People in need can stop by the agency once a month to request food. The Newberry Community Action Agency is located at 207 Newberry Avenue, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Call 906-293-5621 for help.
St. Gregory Catholic Church in Newberry holds a food pantry Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For help, call 906-293-5511.
A Little Free Pantry is installed outside Mac’s Market in Newberry, and people can make food donations there or pick up food when in need. Donations of canned goods are more difficult during the winter, as they can freeze if left in the tiny outdoor pantry.
On the grounds of the FlashFM studio and former Sugar Heaven bakery, a Kid’s Cupboard holds non-perishable food and some toiletries that are intended to feed youth on the go. The Kids Cupboard is on the front lawn at 210 W. John Street, Newberry.
In Curtis, Marcy’s Pantry holds weekly food distributions on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pantry organizer Ethel Wells said she has placed a larger-than-normal order for this Thursday’s distribution. The pantry welcomes food and financial donations, too. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the Curtis Public Library, B Savings Bank (formerly State Savings Bank) or at the Erickson Center for the Arts. Monetary donations can be dropped off at B Savings Bank or mailed to Marcy’s Pantry, PO Box 307, Curtis, MI 49820. Marcy’s Pantry is located at 17475 W County Road H-42. Call 906-586-9525 for help or to volunteer for the pantry.
In Germfask, Kersh’s Market is stocking up to make sure they can assist customers and are also making plans to donate to Marcy’s Pantry in Curtis. Kersh’s Market is located at 8137 M-77, Germfask. Call 906-286-1963 with questions. 517-977-8597
Additionally, the next Feeding America mobile food pantry distribution is scheduled for Thursday, November 20. The distribution takes place at God’s Country Cooperative Ministry beginning at 2 p.m.
For more help, or help in your area, consider visiting https://www.feedwm.org/findfood/ to find a food pantry near you.
If you want to help, you can also drop off donations of non-expired, non-perishable food at both Mac’s Market and Rahilly’s IGA in Newberry. Drop off boxes are located just inside each store.
These plans are expected to be revised and adjusted as organizations develop their response to the need for food in our community. Please watch for updates in print and online at mynewberrynews.com. Additionally, if you know of additional community-based efforts to distribute food, please contact us at 906-293-8401 or nbynews@mynewberrynews.com.
