By Jim Bloch
No family in Port Huron will go hungry.
That’s the promise City Manager James Freed made to residents on Halloween as he announced an initiative to make up for the cuts to SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which were scheduled to begin Nov. 1 because of the shutdown of the Federal government.
“As long as I am City Manager, I will use the full authority, influence, and resources of this office to ensure that no child goes to sleep on an empty stomach, and no mom or dad fears about their family going hungry,” said Freed in a statement. “With every box of food we hand out and every meal we serve, we affirm our duty to love our neighbors.”
Five semi-trucks, each loaded with 44,000 pounds of food, enough to feed 300-500 families, are on their way to St. Clair County. The first truck was scheduled to arrive Monday, Nov. 3 at 9:00 a.m. at the YMCA of the Blue Water Area.
“Additionally, 5,000 meals, valued at $15,000, have been fully funded through Mid-City Nutrition, expanding immediate access to hot meals for families, seniors, and children in need,” said the city in its Oct. 31 press release.
The bounty is a result of the joint actions of private donors, community partners, and nonprofits, the city said.
Josh Chapman is the executive director of the Y; Sarah Jones heads Mid-City Nutrition
“Josh and Sarah are the kind of people who make things happen for our community,” Freed said. “They are a true example of partnership in action.”
There were some questions about whether SNAP benefits would in fact disappear. A federal judge ordered the administration to continue to fund the program despite the shutdown.
“The written order by Judge John J. McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island underscored the vast uncertainty that still surrounds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, whose roughly 42 million recipients remain in the dark as to when they may see their next round of benefits,” reported the New York Times, Nov. 1.
Uncertainty aside, the city stressed the importance of SNAP.
“The urgency of this effort cannot be overstated. More than 8,000 households and 22,000 residents in St. Clair County are projected to lose access to critical SNAP benefits in the coming weeks,” said the press release. “Local federal employees, including members of the United States Coast Guard, are also bracing for missed paychecks and disrupted services due to federal funding delays.”
The joint action was not charity, Freed said. He called it “a collective show of solidarity —a powerful example of how public and private partners can come together to meet community needs head-on.”
FOOD RESOURCES
The County of St. Clair, MI on its Facebook page posted a comprehensive list of food resources in the county:
Mid City Nutrition offers daily meals.
• Hours: lunch 11 a.m.–noon, dinner 4–5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–noon, Sunday 4–5 p.m.
• Address: 830 Griswold St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 982-9261
SOS Marysville food pantry offers a food pantry to Marysville residents.
• When: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, 1–4 p.m., and Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: 2929 Gratiot Blvd., Marysville
• For more information: (810) 364-6333
Blue Water Community Action Agency offers food pantry, utility and housing assistance.
• When: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Where: 3403 Lapeer Road, Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 982-8541
Faith Lutheran Church offers an emergency pantry.
• When: Food giveaways are the first Saturday of each month 8-9 a.m.
• Where: 3455 Stone St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 985-5733
St. Martin Lutheran Church offers a food pantry and community meals.
• When: Tuesdays 9–11 a.m.
• Where: 805 Chestnut St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 982-9261
Salvation Army Port Huron offers groceries and seasonal assistance.
• When: Monday–Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1–3 p.m.
• Where: 2000 Court St., Port Huron
• For more info: (810) 984-2679
Bridge Builders Counseling & Mentoring offers monthly food giveaways and community meals.
• When: Third Saturday each month
• Where: 2722 Lapeer Road, Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 982-4890
Full Gospel Church of God offers a food pantry.
• When: Fridays 9 a.m. to noon
• Where: 1340 Division St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 314-0162
St. John Church of Christ offers a food pantry.
• When: Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: 710 Pine St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 984-5031
Blue Water Council Boy Scouts of America offers food assistance.
• When: by appointment
• Where: 924 Seventh St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 982-9529
Port of Hopes offers community meals and emergency food.
• When: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: 731 Griswold St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 982-3560
All Nations COGIC offers food and household items.
• When: Second and fourth Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon
• Where: 2030 Church St., Port Huron
• For more information: (586) 321-2246
Bluewater Food Depot offers groceries and personal items.
• When: Mondays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: 2408 10th St., Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 987-7886
Blue Water Developmental Housing offers food assistance for residents and families with disabilities.
• When: by appointment
• Where: 3087 Stonybrook Lane, Port Huron
• For more information: (810) 982-6167
Freedom Lighthouse Followship offers food and house items.
• When: Friday 1-2 p.m. and by appointment
• Where: 3835 Franklin St., Lakeport
• For more information: (810) 385-7526 or (810) 962-2113
Lakeshore Presbyterian Church offers food boxes and holiday meals.
• When: Second and Fourth Wednesdays 10 a.m. to noon
• Where: 5235 Lakeshore Road, Fort Gratiot
• For more information: (810) 385-4531
St. Clair County Council on Aging offers seniors meals to their homes.
• When: hours vary by location
• Where: St. Clair County
• For more information: (810) 984-5061
Mama’s Mission Pantry offers a food pantry, hygiene products and baby diapers.
• When: Wednesday 5–7 p.m.
• Where: 122 Croswell Ave., Croswell
• For more information: (810) 334-0095
Deckerville Project Blessing offers a food pantry.
• When: Tuesday and Thursday 10a.m. to 4p.m.
• Where: 2247 Black River St., Deckerville
• For more information: (810) 366-8280
OTHER FOOD PANTRIES
St. Clair County has several other food pantries where residents can find food and support. Check each location’s hours before visiting, and if you have time or resources to share, consider donating or volunteering.
All Nations Church of God – 2030 Church Steet, Port Huron, 810-984-4504
Blue Water Community Action Agency – 3403 Lapeer Road, Port Huron, 810-982-8541
Blue Water Community Food Depot -2408 10th Street, Port Huron, 810-987-7886
Downriver Helping Hands – 310 S. Parker, Marine City, 810-765-3848
Faith Lutheran Food Pantry – 3455 Stone Street, Port Huron, 810-985-5733
First Congregational Church – UCC – 300 N. Adams Road, St. Clair, 810-329-4142
Full Gospel Church of God – 1340 Division Street, Port Huron, 810-937-7789
Harbor Impact Ministries – 1963 Allen Road, Smiths Creek, 810-662-3936
Holy Family Catholic Church – 79780 Main Street, Memphis, 810-392-2056
Lakeport Wesleyan Church – 3871 Harris Road, Fort Gratiot, 80-327-6211
Mid City Nutrition – 830 Griswold Street, Port Huron, 810-982-9535
Salvation Army – Port Huron – 2000 Court Street, Port Huron, 810-984-2679
SOS Food Pantry – 2929 Gratiot Boulevard, Marysville, 810-364-6333
St. John’s Church of Christ – 710 Pine Street, Port Huron, 810-984-5031
St. Martin Bread of Life Nutrition Center – 156 S. William St, Marine City, 810-765-5242
St. Vincent De Paul – St. Clair – 301 N. 9th Street, St. Clair, 810-990-4189
The C3 Connection – 114 N. Main Street, Capac, 810-292-4256
Trinity United Methodist Food Pantry – 424 Smith Street, Algonac, 810-794-7379
Yale Community Food Fund – 310 North Main, Yale, 810-304-1309
YMCA – 1525 3rd Street, Port Huron, 810-987-6400
REGIONAL RESOURCES
• Michigan 2-1-1
• Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
• Gleaners Food Bank
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
