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HANCOCK — This Saturday, residents are being asked to leave out food in the morning to help out area seniors as part of Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly’s annual food drive.
Members of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers will be picking up bags in Atlantic Mine, Calumet, Chassell, Dollar Bay, Hancock, Houghton, Lake Linden, Laurium and South Range.
The drive has been going on for at least 20 years, said Carol Korpela, LBFE’s executive director.
Korpela is hoping to meet the organization’s 10,000-pound goal for the drive, after coming up slightly short last year.
“10,000 is our goal, and we’re hoping the weather cooperates,” she said.
All the food collected goes to local seniors served by LBFE. They typically deliver food to 85 to 100 elders a month, adding up to about 12,000 pounds per year, Korpela said.
“What’s unique about our program is we personalize each bag so nothing goes to waste,” she said. “They’re only getting what they need and want.”
While they accept all kinds of non-perishables, Korpela said the biggest needs are canned vegetables, baked beans, rice, and both cold and hot cereals.
Because their elderly friends are typically preparing meals for themselves, the cans should preferably be small rather than bulk or family size, Korpela said.
The food deliveries are open to seniors 60 and over who are experiencing some level of food insecurity where they need financial assistance for their groceries. For those who qualify and express an interest in the deliveries, Little Brothers sends them a sheet where they can fill out their food preferences.
Korpela said the drive is an important way to help out their friends, particularly now.
“Obviously we all know prices are going up, and food is getting more expensive, so this is our small way of helping the elderly community offset their food budget,” she said.
Lambda Chi Alpha will start picking up bags around 8 a.m. Saturday. If someone leaves out a bag that has not been picked up by 3 p.m., they can call Little Brothers at (906) 482-6944.
“They might miss a house depending on timing, so please give us a call and we’ll be sure to make arrangements to pick it up,” Korpela said.