ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The 4th annual U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo, hosted by the Daily Press, begins Friday, September 19, at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. It is a chance to stock up on gear for this fall and winter, as well as an opportunity to do some good.
Admission into the expo is free with a donation for the local animal shelter or the Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry. The pantry currently serves an average of 1,100 people each month, so Director Robin Wycoff says donations from events like this make a big difference for those in need.
“The number of individuals coming through has drastically increased,” she explained. “We are privately funded, so any donations help us a lot so we can, in turn, help the community. Everything stays local, and we accept everything from personal hygiene products to dry goods.”
Because the need for food has grown so much, the pantry has outgrown its current building. The staff and volunteers are raising funds to construct a new facility to keep operations running smoothly.
“We’re working on it, but it’s a very slow process,” said pantry repairman Gerald “Buck” LaMarch. “Our volunteers here are amazing. Most of them have been here anywhere from five to ten years. There’s just always somebody ready to jump in and help, so this community’s pretty amazing that way.”
To support the Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry before or after the expo, visit the pantry at 210 South Lincoln Road on Mondays or Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or call (931) 436-1193.
The U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. There will be live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, food vendors, prizes, seminars, and family activities. For full details on the expo, click here.
WZMQ 19 is proud to once again sponsor the U.P. Ice Fishing & Hunting Expo.
