ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – An Escanaba food pantry is asking for the community’s support in helping those in need.
The Seventh-day Adventist Pantry serves between 70 and 100 people each week.
“We try and help wherever we can,” said pantry director Robin Wycoff. “We can accept pretty much any donation, and we always make sure it gets out to the community.”
Currently, the pantry has a great need for donations. Items in especially high demand include canned goods, personal care and hygiene products, and fresh produce. The pantry also has no hats, gloves, or mittens, which are major needs during the winter months.
“Another thing we can use is diapers and formula,” Wycoff said. “We’ve got parents that come through, and they just can’t afford it. There’s jobs, but they’re not paying enough for people to survive with the cost of everything going up.”
With the need continuing to climb, the pantry has outgrown its facility, with some items being stored in a neighboring shed. According to Buck LaMarch, who does maintenance work for the pantry, an expansion plan is in the works.
“We’re looking at possibly adding on to the existing building, which would be the cheaper way to go,” he explained. “We would prefer to build over on the other side of the [Seventh-day Adventist] Church, which gives us a big parking lot and makes it much easier for everybody. It’s hard to distribute here because they’re parked on the street and traffic is an issue, so it would be much better.”
Once administrators evaluate the prices of each option and come to a decision, the pantry will begin fundraising for the project. LaMarch says the pantry has some money set aside in a fund through the church, but more will be needed to make the expansion plan a reality.
“I really think the community is probably going to step up to help with that because they’ve been so supportive,” said LaMarch. “I hear all the time, ‘Oh, you’re that food pantry over there by Walgreen’s. We see you guys out there all the time.’ I’m really hoping that we can build a building that’s going to be more useful and helpful to the community and to our volunteers. I mean, it gets kind of crazy in here.”
The Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry also collaborates with the Community Foundation for Delta County and the Vet Center to provide food for veterans during the holidays. The next veterans outreach drive is scheduled for November 26, and donations are needed for that as well.
“It’ll cost us right around $5,000 – $6,000,” said Wycoff. “If anybody wants to donate to that, they can send us a check or stop in. If any of the farmers want to donate potatoes or pumpkins or cabbage, we will take that as well. We appreciate everybody that donates.”
Donations can be dropped off to the Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry, located at 210 South Lincoln Road, on Mondays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Donations being dropped off outside the hours of operation can be left with Paula at Healthway Nutrition Store nextdoor. Cash and check donations can be mailed to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Anyone in need of assistance from the Seventh-day Adventist Pantry can stop in on a Monday or Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in receiving pantry items are asked to bring their ID to receive a punch card that can be used monthly. For more information, call (906) 212-2272.
