The Essential Need for Food

Sept. 2, 2023

The Father Fred Foundation, which serves Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau with immediate needs like food and clothing, has launched an Essential Need for Food campaign. The nonprofit reports nearly 8,000 visits to their food pantry over the course of 2023, a figure that is up 71 percent over this time last year. “Families are impacted by increased costs of food, the reduction of SNAP benefits, and other essential needs such as rent and utilities,” Erin Krueger, communications manager for Father Fred, wrote in a press release. The increased cost of food has also affected Father Fred—along with the growing need in the community—resulting in a 107 percent increase in the foundation’s food budget. The nonprofit has set out to raise $150,000 by Oct. 1, a sum that will cover seven weeks of food costs. To learn more about the campaign, visit fatherfred.org.