Skip to content

November Mobile Food Pantry schedule includes two new partners

October 29, 2020 | By Michael H. Babcock

Events scheduled for Hancock, Baraga and Ontonagon

The November Mobile Food Pantry schedule is set with events scheduled for the first three Thursdays of the month, including new locations in Houghton and Baraga counties.

  • Thursday, November 5, 2 p.m. at Finlandia University’s Chapel of St. Mathew (601 Quincy Street; Hancock, MI 49930)
  • Thursday, November 12, 4 p.m. at Baraga Area Schools (210 Lyons Street; Baraga, MI 49908)
  • Thursday, November 19, Noon at Ontonagon Village Fire Hall (315 River Street; Ontonagon, MI 49953)

The mobile food pantries are funded by Portage Health Foundation in partnership with Feeding America West Michigan, Ontonagon Area Schools, Baraga Area Schools and Finlandia University.

Each mobile food pantry will provide a variety of foods to approximately 300 families. For these distributions, attendees will not have to show identification or proof of income to receive food. Although there will be no ID or income verification, each person/household must state that they meet the qualifications to receive food assistance. Food will be provided in a drive-through format. Each event will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

New Local Partners

This month’s events feature two new partners as Baraga Area Schools and Finlandia University have both stepped up to provide volunteers and a location for the mobile food pantry.

"Finlandia is committed to educational excellence, service and spiritual growth. We look for opportunities to partner with and uplift the community of Hancock,” FinnU Pastor Sarah Semmler Smith said. “We have hosted a mobile food pantry in the past, and to serve is a blessing and encouragement to students and staff alike. We serve because it is part of our values, and it makes a difference to our neighbors. We look forward to doing it again."

Baraga Area Schools has also been home to events like this in the past.

"We are excited to be a partner in this food distribution program,” Baraga Area Schools Principal Tim Scott said. “It is a great way for our students to give back to the community. In these times, programs like these are needed more than ever. This will benefit not only people within the Baraga district but all who are in need."

COVID-19 Community Recovery Fund

These events are being funded by Portage Health Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Recovery Fund. This is a restricted fund maintained for the purpose of mobilizing resources for the citizens of Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. All monies contributed to this restricted fund will be used locally for the distribution of health/humanitarian relief. The events are the 10th, 11th and 12th food pantries of 15 total slated to come to the Copper Country by year's end.

To support this and other projects like it, visit phfgive.org/covid19.

Michael H. Babcock

Michael H. Babcock