The Pokagon Fund has provided over 100,000 lbs of food to the hungry of Harbor Country ®
NEW BUFFALO
In March of 2011, The Pokagon Fund entered into a contract with Feeding America providing an $18,000 grant award for an innovative new program being brought to the area. Feeding America manages the Mobile Food Pantry program in Southwest Michigan -- a program which brings fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy and baked goods to those in need. The food is donated to Feeding America by corporations like Wal-Mart and Meijer and local farmers.
“This was just the kind of project we look to fund,” shared Mary Dunbar, Executive Director of The Pokagon Fund, “one which directly affects the people in our service area by providing basic human needs and enhancing the lives of our families.”
Since the initial funding of the program in March, eighteen Mobile Food Pantries have taken place. “In the last six months, we’ve distributed 100,000 lbs of food, and fed over 1700 households, representing 4500 individuals,” explained Dunbar. “We couldn’t have done it without the help of our wonderful community volunteers.”
While The Pokagon Fund covers the cost of the food and its transportation from Benton Harbor, it relies on a steadfast group of volunteers from service clubs, churches and schools. “Each Mobile Food Pantry requires 15 to 20 volunteers to unload the truck, package and distribute the food, and keep records of attendees. We’ve been blessed with a growing list of volunteer groups willing to help with this project. Over 800 volunteer hours have been logged by our volunteers since March!” Dunbar explains.
Special thanks go to:
American Legion Post 169, Harbor Country Progress, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, New Buffalo Electric, New Buffalo High School, New Buffalo Service League, River Valley High School, and members of the following churches -- Episcopal Church of the Mediator, The Gathering RCA, Harbert Community Church, Real Life Community Church, St. Agnes, St. Mary of the Assumption, Sawyer Highlands, Water’s Edge United Methodist, and others.
Eleven additional Mobile Food Pantries are scheduled from the end of August through December; dates and locations listed below. Recipients of food must live in The Pokagon Fund service area – which includes the townships of New Buffalo, Chikaming and Three Oaks, and the cities and villages within those townships. (Zip codes: 49115, 49116, 49117, 49125, 49128, 49129)
If you or your organization is interested in hosting a Mobile Food Pantry, please contact The Pokagon Fund at 269-469-9322.
Tuesday, August 30, 3:00-5:00 PM – St. Mary of the Assumption
28 W. Ash Street, Three Oaks
(Hosted by local churches in Three Oaks)
Tuesday, September 6, 3:00-5:00 PM - New Buffalo High School
(PAC/Gym Parking Lot), 1112 E. Clay Street, New Buffalo
(Hosted by New Buffalo Service League)
Tuesday, September 13, 3:00-5:00 PM – Mickey’s Restaurant
16409 Red Arrow Highway, Union Pier
(Hosted by Harbor Country Progress)
Tuesday, September 20, 3:00-5:00 PM – New Buffalo Township Hall
17425 Red Arrow Highway, New Buffalo
(Hosted by Water’s Edge United Methodist Church)
Tuesday, October 4, 3:00-5:00 – River Valley High School
15480 Three Oaks Road, Three Oaks
(Hosted by River Valley School District)
Tuesday, October 11, 3:00-5:00 PM – Mickey’s Restaurant
16409 Red Arrow Highway, Union Pier
(Hosted by Harbor Country Progress)
Tuesday, October 18, 3:00-5:00 PM – River Valley High School
15480 Three Oaks Road, Three Oaks
(Hosted by Harbert Community Church)
Tuesday, November 8, 3:00-5:00 PM – Mickey’s Restaurant
16409 Red Arrow Highway, Union Pier
(Hosted by Harbor Country Progress)
Tuesday, November 15, 3:00-5:00 PM – River Valley High School
15480 Three Oaks Road, Three Oaks
(Hosted by Harbert Community Church)
Wednesday, December 7, 11:00-1:00 PM – New Buffalo Township Hall
17425 Red Arrow Highway, New Buffalo
(Hosted by Knights of Columbus)
Tuesday, December 13, 3:00-5:00 PM – Mickey’s Restaurant
16409 Red Arrow Highway, Union Pier
(Hosted by Harbor Country Progress)
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