People in search of a food pantry in central and northern Michigan can find a map at the bottom of this article to locate a local food pantry near you.
Food pantries across central and northern Michigan are preparing for an influx of demand as funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, commonly known as SNAP, is set to run out of funding due to the ongoing government shut down. State data shows 1.4 million Michiganders rely on the program.
Several operations in northern Michigan told WCMU they’ve already seen an increase in demand over the last several weeks and are stocking up on food and boosting fundraising efforts to make sure people have what they need.
In northwest lower Michigan, the Church of Nazarene Clothing and Food Pantry in Alanson is open every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. Director Tracy Klage said they’ve seen a 20% increase in people utilizing the pantry in the last two weeks. That equates to around 60 families. The pantry works with the Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs to help stock the shelves.
“I've instructed my staff to try to maintain calm and present that to everyone that we serve that we will have enough food,” Klage said.
About 100 miles south, the director of the Empire Food Pantry in Leelanau County, Steve Murray, said they have what they need to serve their community in the immediate future. The pantry has seen a roughly 30% increase in foot traffic over the last two months and normally serves between 25-35 families every week.
“We're probably going to see another uptick, and we're concerned,” Murray said. He added that people who already use their services are concerned too, “because they're going to be relying on us even more than they've had in the past,” he said.
While many food banks across the region are bracing for more people, the God Loves You Food Pantry in Presque Isle says they’re unsure what’s going to happen next. The pantry only opens once per month and serves around 150 each time they’re open. The pantry won’t be open again until Nov. 16 at the Grand Lake Community Chapel.
Jay Kettler, a board member and treasurer of the pantry, said the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, one of their food suppliers, has been in constant communication with them. Still, they’re seeking answers for food pantries around the region who are asking if there will be enough food to meet demand.
During these uncertain times, Kettler said, there’s one thing his pantry is going to be able to rely on: its community of volunteers.
“It’s a wonderful surprise,” Kettler said, who added that they have around 20 people volunteering at the pantry. Several of the volunteers utilize the pantry and help to give back.
“You feel so good, and people are so grateful,” Kettler said. “Sometimes folks are in tears as they're getting the food order loaded into their car. And so, it grows and people tell their friends and neighbors up here, oh, come and volunteer.”
Kettler said withholding SNAP funding is going to hurt people across northern Michigan and the full effect will take time to fully understand.
In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the Michigan House Republicans said the State Budget Office is asking the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to send $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council.
The money would help make sure food banks across the state can weather the influx of demand caused by the government shutdown.
“I only wish that those in control would see the light and see our volunteers and see our recipients and realize how critically important keeping these life-sustaining programs going,” Kettler said. “It's almost criminal in my judgment.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is joining 21 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging their freeze on SNAP funding.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture claims they don’t have the money to send it to recipients. Nessel says that’s not true because Congress put roughly $6 billion toward keeping SNAP running in case of an emergency.
"There is no reason for people who are eligible to receive SNAP benefits to not receive it,” Nessel told the Michigan Public Radio Network. “That is the exact reason for this contingency fund. And so, I think that the Trump Administration is playing with people’s lives here."
The USDA said it’s unable to legally use its contingency funds to cover regular benefits since there’s no budget yet for the current fiscal year.
State lawmakers are considering legislation that would grant tens of millions of dollars to help keep the SNAP program going. It's unclear if and when those bills will pass before the end of the week.
Michigan Public Radio’s Colin Jackson contributed reporting to this story.
