MAYFIELD TWP. — Food insecurity is a widespread problem in the United States, with people experiencing food insecurity in all corners of the nation — including in Lapeer County. The nonprofit Feeding America describes food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.”
Food insecurity hits children and senior citizens particularly hard. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that more than 5.5 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2022. Feeding America and the USDA both indicate the food insecurity rate in Lapeer County is around 11.5% in 2023.
Fortunately, in Lapeer County there are organizations, businesses, churches, municipalities and citizens who are working to ease hungry stomachs in local residents this holiday season.
Love In the Name of Christ (INC) of Greater Lapeer, in cooperation with about a half-dozen churches and Holiday Depot, will give 300 Christmas food boxes to individuals and families in need in Lapeer County.
Love INC’s Christmas Food Distribution day will be Thursday, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when 300 food boxes will be given away to people in need. Registration is required. Call Love INC at 810-245-2414 or register through Holiday Depot.
Glenda Brady, executive director of Love INC, said the Christmas food boxes will include a ham, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, Jiffy mix as well as candy canes.
“There is a lot of need in this community,” said Brady. “People may have had a major event in their life that changed everything, and now they’re having a hard time feeding themselves or their families. Rent costs in the area have increased dramatically for some people, and now they have less money leftover for food, their utility bills and other basic expenses.”
Participating churches are providing the food staples for the Christmas food boxes. Volunteers are welcome to assist with the food box distribution. Call 810-245-2414.
Love INC of Greater Lapeer serves all of Lapeer County. In 2024, Brady estimates they will serve over 5,000 people with life necessities. Things like food, clothing, boots and warm coats, pantry products, heat in the cold months, water, electricity and even shelter.
The Love INC office is located at 1680 N. Lapeer Rd. (M-24) in Mayfield Township, in a building behind the Lapeer Church of Christ. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.