Food pantries see increase in need from local families due to rising costs
JONESVILLE — Food insecurity is an escalating concern for many residents and families across all income levels and demographic profiles in Hillsdale County. Addressing these critical food needs is the driving force behind the dedicated work of the Jonesville Mission and Litchfield Rotary.
Established in December 2021, the Jonesville Mission Food Pantry is the only food pantry in Jonesville. It has recently been experiencing a steady increase in residents lining up to receive boxes of fresh food and other staples. During this summer’s distribution days, Jonesville Mission dispersed an average of 100 boxes of food in less than one hour, often running out of supplies before all those who gathered could be accommodated. Pantry food boxes are provided by the Mission in conjunction with the South Michigan Food Bank in Battle Creek.
“Inflation is impacting everyone’s ability to make ends meet,” says Maria Ethridge, program coordinator at Jonesville Mission Food Pantry. “We are witnessing enormous need, even from many dual income families who work full time, who are no longer able to afford the regular food items they once relied upon, due to rising housing, transportation and overall cost-of-living impacts.”
In Jonesville, the Mission Food Pantry shares building space and oversight with the Mission Apostolic Church, overseen by Pastor Marty Ethridge, who serves as director. In addition to filling food pantry needs, church volunteers offer routine, free meal gatherings at the Mission, welcoming anyone from the community to gather for a homecooked meal and fellowship. Supplies for the meals are donated through the church and do not impact the inventory of the food pantry.
“We are deeply appreciative of the warm community support we have enjoyed since opening the Mission,” Marty Ethridge said. “Our families and volunteers are continually blessed through offering these services, and we welcome anyone in the community to join us. It is our mission to serve others and no one is ever turned away.”
With summer fading to colder months, the Jonesville Mission Food Pantry volunteers are actively focused on preparing for community needs this winter. Last week, the Ranger Power Heartwood Solar Project, in conjunction with the Hillsdale County Community Foundation, delivered checks totaling approximately $2,970 to the Jonesville Mission and the Litchfield Rotary Club’s local food drive. The grants will help these essential community service organizations fill their shelves for the months ahead.
“The Heartwood Solar Project is dedicated to working closely with these local food pantries and hard-working volunteers to address food insecurity with annual donations from our grant fund endowment with the Hillsdale County Community Foundation through the life of the project,” says development manager Toby Valentino.
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“The Litchfield Rotary Club’s motto is 'Service Above Self,'” adds member Michelle Caldwell, “The food drive we offer each month is just one of many ways Litchfield’s Rotary gives back to Litchfield and its surrounding communities. We thank Heartwood Solar for their donation to help our community.”
For more information on the food pantries, their distribution days, community meal offering and how to donate to participating food pantry organizations through the Hillsdale County Community Foundation, contact the Litchfield Rotary Club or visit www.thejonesvillemission.org and www.abouthccf.org.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Pantries see an increase in need due to rising costs
