Mobile food pantry coming to Baraga on September 27

Finlandia University, Baraga Area Schools, Feeding America West Michigan and Western U.P. Food Bank teaming up

Students volunteering during a Mobile Food Pantry that was held on Finlandia’s campus in the fall of 2015. This fall’s mobile food pantry is at Baraga Area Schools on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Finlandia University Campus Ministry, Feeding America West Michigan, Western U.P. Food Bank and Baraga Area Schools are working together to bring a mobile food pantry to Baraga on September 27 at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Baraga High School.

“We’re happy to help our neighbors in any way we can,” said Rev. Soren Schmidt, campus pastor at Finlandia. “This will be a wonderful way for us to come together and help each other.”

The Mobile Pantry will contain a variety of foods, including fresh produce. Clients will not have to show identification or proof of income to receive food; however, they will be required to provide basic contact information and affirm that they are in need of food. They are encouraged to bring their own boxes and carts.

Food insecurity affects one in eight people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. In 2016, Feeding America West Michigan delivered 1,743 Mobile Pantries to communities throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. These distributions provided 11.9 million pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 10 million meals.

To volunteer at the mobile food pantry, or to learn more about the event, contact Rev. Soren Schmidt at soren.schmidt@finlandia.edu, or 906-487-7239.

About Feeding America West Michigan

Serving local families in need since 1981, Feeding America West Michigan reclaims safe surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. That food is distributed through a network of more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other hunger-relief agencies in 40 counties from the Indiana border through the Upper Peninsula. Each year, an estimated 492,100 people receive food from Feeding America West Michigan. For more information, visit FeedWM.org.