Our Mission

As members of the Northwest Food Coalition, our mission is to meet the hunger needs of residents in our five county area - Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanua - while continuing to address the greater issues of poverty.

Together we:

• Provide a working network among the programs of the Coalition.
• Share our resources.
• Provide opportunities for community participation in our programs.
• Create and initiat food drives to supply and replenish area food pantries.
• Maximize the utilization of available resources and funds.
• Educate ourselves and the community on issues about poverty and hunger.

Who We Are

Many years ago, with the help of the United Way's Basic Needs Committee, the Ecumenical Assembly formed the Ecumenical Food Pantry Coalition as an outreach project. This group later became the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition.

In the summer of 2004, the expanded group was renamed the Northwest Food Coalition. NMCAA has served as the facilitator and fudiciary for the members. The members include representatives from the five counties' community meals, food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and baby pantries; the Michigan State University Extension Food and Nutrition Program; and Telemon. This group meets the 2nd Thursday each month. 

Food Drives

One of our original and ongoing goals is to participate in community food drives each year. Presently we particpate in the National Letter Carriers/Rural Carriers food drive and two Empty Bowls events.

The food collected is given to the Northwest Food Coalition members with the greatest need. One significant advantage of the Coalition is when any food pantry is low on supplies, the other pantries share what they have. Northwest Food Coalition accepts and uses donations to assist the area's needy seniors and families.