Food Insecurity community response
Regarding Pause of SNAP and WIC Benefits
Keeping Bay County Fed
Amid rising concerns about the pause of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women,
Infant, Children) benefits, a coalition of philanthropy, government, educational, and business partners have
come together to provide a coordinated response to support our neighbors struggling with food insecurity.
Approximately 16,566 Bay County residents rely on SNAP benefits to purchase groceries and an additional more
than 2,100 utilize WIC as assistance to purchase fresh food and formula for their children.
United Way of Bay County, and the Bay Area Community Foundation, are joining forces with partners in education, local municipalities and businesses to coordinate efforts that support our network of local food pantries and meal sites to keep their shelves stocked as the need rises.
Bay Area Community Foundation is:
* Establishing a Food Insecurity Emergency Fund for both Bay and Arenac counties. The purpose of this fund is to gather contributions for rapid deployment to community-based organizations who are working on the frontlines to ensure that all resources are deployed to help triage food insecurity, our children are cared for, and emergency needs of our neighbors and families are met.
United Way of Bay County is:
* Collecting food donations of non-perishable food items. Food can be dropped off at the United Way of Bay County, 909 Washington Ave., Bay City between 9 AM – 3 PM, Monday through Friday on the 1st floor. These donations will be used to stock the shelves at local pantries and will not be distributed directly to individuals.
* Coordinating volunteer opportunities at local food pantries and meal sites.
Bay Area Community Foundation is:
* Establishing a Food Insecurity Emergency Fund for both Bay and Arenac counties. The purpose of this fund is to gather contributions for rapid deployment to community-based organizations who are working on the frontlines to ensure that all resources are deployed to help triage food insecurity, our children are cared for, and emergency needs of our neighbors and families are met.
United Way of Bay County is:
* Collecting food donations of non-perishable food items. Food can be dropped off at the United Way of Bay County, 909 Washington Ave., Bay City between 9 AM – 3 PM, Monday through Friday on the 1st floor. These donations will be used to stock the shelves at local pantries and will not be distributed directly to individuals.
* Coordinating volunteer opportunities at local food pantries and meal sites.