Central U.P. Food Bank Re-Opens Pantry

One of the most visible side effects of a weak economy is in charitable giving.

The Central U.P. Food Bank in Ishpeming saw few food and money donations this past winter and spring.

And the donations people *were* making were smaller than in the past.

In June, the Food Bank had to close its pantry for what they hoped would be a short time.

Because donations and funding were in short supply, they kept the pantry closed all summer.

Things are picking up, though.

Donations are starting to trickle back in, so the pantry is re-opening next Wednesday.

Food Bank branch manager Dave Mason says they’ll try hosting 1 food pantry day per month for the next few months.

Up to 600 families usually come by to choose food items and other supplies that they need.

And because the Food Bank serves 6 different counties, those families can sometimes travel long distances.

Mason says he’s sometimes seen families from as far away as Iron Mountain.

The Food Bank still isn’t back up to full strength.

They usually have 2 pantry days per month instead of 1.

But with the alternative being to have none at all, Mason says it’ll be good to serve the community in that way again.