In efforts to support our community, Faith Lutheran maintains food and personal care item micro-pantries both on the church’s property and at the Okemos Library. These pantries are available 24/7 to anyone in need in the community.
Our congregation maintains these pantries throughout the week with many non-perishable items. We have a team of volunteers that check each pantry every day of the year. They ensure the pantries are in good shape and are stocked with a basic supply of food and personal care needs.
While donations can be left in the pantries – the majority of items that are stocked in the pantries are purchased by the church using donated money. Based on the growing need in our community with inflation and reduction of SNAP/Food Stamp benefits, we are spending over $1,000/month on items for the pantries. Your monetary donation will be of great help so we can continue this ministry.
Donate to support the food and personal care pantries! 100% of funds received from donations will go to purchase items for the pantries.
We do also accept donated items for the pantry. You are welcome to place your items for donation directly in the pantry. If you have a large donation to drop off please email the church (faith@faithlutheranokemos.org) or call at 517-349-0620 and leave your name and number and someone from the church will return your call to set up a time to meet you. In addition to the below items, you can browse and order items from our Amazon Wish List that will be sent to Faith Lutheran for use in the pantry. The items typically needed are:
- Breakfast items – cereals, toaster pastries, breakfast bars, oatmeal packets, granola
- Protein products – peanut butter, protein bars, tuna, chicken, or spam
- Canned or microwaveable meals in a cup (soup, pasta, mac and cheese, etc.)
- Boxed side dishes or meals
- Paper products – toilet paper, facial tissue, paper towels
- Menstrual care products (we partner with Helping Women Period)
- Shampoo, hand soap, and dish soap – 12 oz (or so) bottles
- Toothpaste – family (not travel) sized tubes
- Bath soap bars
Note: Items we can accept vary based on the weather. In the winter months we can’t accept canned items or items in jars due to the risk of damage from freezing. In the summer months we are careful as to what items would not remain safe if they get too hot.
Faith has created a brochure of hunger related resources, including information on the micro pantries. These brochures are available at the pantries and a copy is available here. (Meridian Township Hunger Brochure).
