Bay County agencies are weaving a safety net for families facing food insecurity

Whether it’s an emergency need or an ongoing situation, there are agencies all over Bay County that step in to fill in the gaps with food.

In Bay County, where nearly one in two people face challenges securing food, a network of agencies is working to bridge the gap and provide crucial support.

Michaela Garcia with the United Way of Bay County says food insecurity comes in many forms. Regardless of whether a family is facing a one-time emergency or has an ongoing need, there are places to go for help.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 1.3 million residents, including over 300,000 children, experience food insecurity.

In Bay County, nearly half of us face challenges meeting our most basic needs. Of Bay County residents, 29% live in poverty and an additional 16% are part of the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) — working individuals who still struggle to afford essentials such as shelter, food, and health care.

Occasional food distribution and pop-up sites are posted on the United Way’s Facebook page. Most recently, McLaren Bay Region held a pop-up pantry to provide food in the area near Columbus Avenue and Trumbull Street.

Regular, local food distribution sites are listed on the United Way’s Facebook Page and on the website for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

If you don’t have access to the internet, then the lists are posted at the Salvation Army of Bay City, 401 10^th St., and Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, 713 Ninth St.

SOAR booklets listing food pantry giveaways in Bay County are also available at the Great Lakes Dream Center, 700 Lafayette Ave., with a complete list of local food pantries and other resources. The Dream Center also runs a Practical Needs Pantry, which is open on Tuesdays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

Meals also are available at several different Bay County locations:

Photo courtesy of the Salvation Army of Bay CityThe Salvation Army of Bay City helps families in need throughout the year. Six days a week, the Bay City facility serves up a free, hot meal.

• Salvation Army, 401 10th St., Bay City

The Salvation Army serves a hot lunch Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of its Matthew 25 Café lunch program. The agency also offers an Emergency Food, Pet, and Baby Pantry from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

• Safe Harbor Community Center, 706 Joseph St., Bay City

Get a takeout meal for dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Safe Harbor Community Center. The center also offers two other events – a Food Distribution Drive-Thru on Tuesdays with line-up starting at 8:15 a.m. and a Hygiene Pantry on Mondays between 1 and 3 p.m.

Kurt KryszakThe Food of Faith program began in the mid-1990s at Trinity Episcopal Church on Bay City's East Side.

• Food of Faith, Trinity Episcopal Church, 815 N. Grant St., Bay City

Food of Faith is an ecumenical program with churches and organizations serving meals to anyone in need. Meals are served on Sundays at Trinity Episcopal Church. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and a sit-down meal is served at 2:30 p.m.

• Food of Faith - West at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, 501 Catherine St., Bay City

Food of Faith – West is an ecumenical program with churches and organizations serving a free take-out meal to anyone who comes to Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. Each week, meals are provided by different local churches and food is donated by Hidden Harvest.

• Westminster Presbyterian Church, 103 E. Midland St., Bay City

The Westminster Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Volunteers from Westminster Presbyterian also spend time cooking and serving at the Food of Faith meals served on Thursdays at 5 p.m. at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church.)

Ashley BrownEmergency food boxes are available through the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA.

• Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, 225 Washington Ave., Bay City

Anyone in need of emergency food can call the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA for assistance. Call (989) 895-8596 on Mondays through Fridays to ask for an emergency food box.

The YMCA also offers a Free Youth Food Program Mondays through Fridays for any Bay County resident who is 18 years old or under. The food is offered at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, 300 W. Lafayette Ave.; and Verellen Elementary School, 612 W. Borton Road in Essexville

The Youth Food Program is available as follows:

• Dinner between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA and a snack between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the YMCA.
• Dinner between 3 and 4 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club and a snack between 5 and 6 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Clubs.
• Dinner between 2:45 and 3:45 p.m. at Verellen and a snack between 4:45 and 5:15 p.m. at Verellen.

• St. Catherine of Siena/St. Vincent DePaul Society, 523 N. Michigan Ave, Bay City

St. Vincent DePaul runs a clothing thrift store and a food pantry. The thrift store is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The food pantry is housed at the St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 2956 E. North Union Road, and is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Pinconning Area Emergency Food Pantry, 314 Whyte St., Pinconning

The Pinconning Area Emergency Food Pantry is located inside the Pinconning United Methodist Church. Food distribution dates and times can be found on their Facebook page or by calling (989) 615-8182.

Misty BarronVolunteers from LiUNA 1098 and the United Way of Bay County faced the cold to distribute food in Pinconning in March 2025. 
If you need food assistance or other support, dial 2-1-1. It’s a free and confidential service that connects you with resources such as food pantries, meal programs, and even help with bills. You can speak directly with a specialist or check online for more details.