Frostbite Food Drive

Jan. 21, 2023

Saturday, Jan. 28, kicks off the annual Father Fred Frostbite Food Drive in Traverse City, which runs through Feb. 5. The drive helps stock nonprofit’s food pantry—which costs about $12,000 to fill and serves more than 160 families every week—for the remaining winter months. Executive Director, Candice Hamel, says, “With increased grocery costs, families are feeling the financial strain and the need for support is especially high.” Father Fred is looking for donations of key items like canned fruits and veggies, oatmeal, peanut butter, pasta noodles and sauce, soup, and canned chicken or tuna. Cash donations are also welcome to help buy perishables like eggs, milk, and meat. You can donate goods—or volunteer at—several locations around town, including Team Bob’s on S. Airport Rd. (the main location for the drive); Tom’s East Bay, West Bay, and Interlochen locations; and Oleson’s 3 Mile and Long Lake locations. To learn more about the drive and Father Fred’s mission, head to fatherfred.org.