The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Michigan Free Clinics, Michigan Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Ingham County, Michigan and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Ingham County, Michigan serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Ingham County, Michigan distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Ingham County, Michigan and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Ingham County, Michigan is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Ingham County, Michigan
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Ingham County, Michigan serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
MSU Student Food Bank
The MSU Student Food Bank provides free food and related items to students facing food insecurity and in need of assistance. The Student Food Bank provides supplemental support, this means we do not supply all the food you will need for two weeks but our goal is to cut your grocery bill at least in half. We always have vegetables, fruits, soups, pasta or rice, at least one protein, cereal and other items available for your selection at a distribution. Additionally, we almost always have fresh produce, bread, and MSU Dairy Store cheese available at distributions. If you need additional food we can help by referring you to other food programs in the East Lansing area. The MSU Student Food Bank is a welcoming and supportive student community - we are here to serve. Who Is Eligible? MSU undergraduate and graduate students (and their familes) who do not have an on-campus meal plan.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
463 E Circle Dr Rm 151,
East Lansing, MI 48824.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- East Lansing
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ingham
Holt Community Food Bank
The Holt Community Food Bank is an all-volunteer organization committed to reducing hunger in our community. We help families in need by: raising money, food donations and in-kind contributions to meet the emergency food needs of the Holt community; promoting, supporting and emphasizing self-help programs with the goal of food self-sufficiency. We are neighbors helping neighbors, helping make sure no one in our community has to go without food.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (517) 694-9307 to book your appointment.
Address :
2021 Aurelius Rd,
Holt, MI 48842.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Holt
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ingham
Greater Lansing Food Bank
The Greater Lansing Food Bank is a non-profit organization that provides emergency food to individuals and families in need in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Shiawassee, Clare, Isabella and Gratiot counties. Food is distributed through an extensive network of food pantries and community kitchens located throughout the region. The Food Bank annually serves tens of thousands of people, many of them seniors and children. Our recipients also include the “working poor,†those individuals who are employed but don’t earn enough to meet housing, health, transportation and food needs.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (517) 853-7800 to book your appointment.
Address :
919 Filley St,
Lansing, MI 48906.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Lansing
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ingham
Williamston Food Bank
The Williamston Food Bank is a non-profit organization helping families in need in Williamston, Michigan. Thanks to our many volunteers and committed donors, and the support of our community, the Williamston Food Bank continually helps those in need of help. he Williamston Food Bank is always busy, however, does not maintain regular hours of operation. You will find our volunteers busy all month, nights and weekends working with the community, finding the best deals on essential food items and arranging donations. Last Monday and Tuesday of the month: The Williamston Food Bank accepts calls and emails from Williamston families that need help. Last Wednesday and Thursday of the month: The Williamston Food Bank volunteers pack the food orders. Last Friday and Saturday of the month: Families that have called in with a request for food can pick up their food orders between the hours of 8:30 am and 10:30 am (deliveries are usually made on the last Friday of the month). Holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter have special days and hours of operation. Call (517) 655-3562 or (517) 655-3813 for specific hours of food distribution and more details on meals and other resources that are being offered to Williamston families.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (517) 655-3562 to book your appointment.
Address :
201 School St Rear,
Williamston, MI 48895.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Williamston
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ingham
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Ingham County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Ingham County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Ingham County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification