The team at The Father Fred Foundation in Traverse City is asking for help keeping its pantry shelves stocked in the upcoming months.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for all of us but especially for those who are already in challenging situations. We are living in uncertain times and unemployment is rising, which will increase food insecurity. We only have two food drives per year so this event is very important to keep our pantry shelves stocked.

Help us make a difference for our neighbors in need. In 2019, close to 13,000 food pantry requests were met. As of August 2020, we have had 4,683 total visits, and close to 2,000 unduplicated families (average household of four) visit our food pantry. We have spent $225,401 to fill our pantry shelves. Please visit Oleson’s Food Stores and Tom’s Food Markets and our volunteers will be on-site to gratefully accept your food donations October 3–10. Cash donations are also needed to help purchase perishable items such as fresh produce, milk, meat and eggs. Donate online at fatherfred.org or at one of the participating donation sites.

The Father Fred Foundation is a grassroots charity that assists our neighbors in need with a variety of essential resources such as free food, clothing and financial assistance. What we have to offer local families in need is a direct result of the generosity of our community.

The Fall Food Drive will include the following locations and community partners:

Oleson’s

  • Long Lake
  • Hammond

Volunteers will be scheduled at both locations during peak hours. In addition to the top ten list of items, we will provide both stores with a check-out scan coupon if they prefer to donate cash.

Tom’s

  • East Bay
  • West Bay
  • 14th Street
  • Interlochen

Volunteers will be set-up at East Bay and West Bay. There will be tables at the other locations with a cash box for shoppers to leave donations or food.

Floor Covering Brokers will be collecting food donations on October 2–3 during its fall sale. The Father Fred truck will be there.

Team Bob’s will begin its coat drive on October 5 and they will also collect food through the end of the month all through drop-off donations.

The Elks Club #323 will host a fall food drive in its parking lot on October 10. This will all be handled through drive-up and volunteers will take the donations out of the cars and fill The Father Fred Truck.