Nearly one in six of Alger County’s 8,813 residents experiences food insecurity, including approximately 1560 children who call the rural community home.
Bill Brutto, head administrator of the Salvation Army in Alger, Marquette, and Baraga counties, oversees a Feeding America West Michigan partnered mobile food pantry distribution in Munising. He has spent decades helping others and making a difference in his communities. During his career, he’s worked in a variety of communities, everything from big cities like Chicago to rural locations.
For those who live in Alger County, there are a number of barriers to food access, Bill said.
“Being able to do extra things like the mobile food pantries is extremely important, especially in areas I call food deserts, and that’s exactly where I think Alger County is. There’s only two grocery options, and things can be really expensive, especially since Munising is a tourist town. So, for a lot of families, their only way to get cheaper food or food that’s on sale would be to drive into another county, which for a family that might be struggling is easier said than done.”
It isn’t just the barrier of accessibility through grocery store options that Bill notes as an obstacle.
“I think a huge challenge up here is the weather. I actually have a hobby farm and I’m trying to make it big enough so that one day I could help our pantries here with fresh products,” he said. “But our grow season is so small because we have about seven months of winter or extreme cold. So our grow season, it’s about 2 ½ months, so you really gotta be on top of it. My point is the resources are limited and continuing to get assistance from organizations like Feeding America West Michigan for these communities is huge.”
Not only do mobile food pantries serve as an essential resource for the neighbors who frequent them, but Bill emphasizes that they’re something the community believes strongly in, too.
“I really think it’s cool how the community comes out and volunteers to help their neighbors. I think that’s the most encouraging thing. At the Alger mobile food pantry, we consistently get 15 to 20 volunteers, and it’s the same 15, 20 people. They really do care. They want to make a difference. Another big part is younger individuals, adults in their 20s helping out, going to our mobile pantries, not for themselves, but for picking up for their elderly neighbors or maybe for a family that’s working. To me, that’s huge. If organizations like ourselves continue to be able to have the resources for others, hopefully the younger generations will continue to help the older generations.”
At a distribution in June, Feeding America West Michigan provided food for 273 households, for a total of 654 neighbors in Alger County. This included fresh produce like asparagus, parsnips, potatoes, apples, and peaches.
“We wouldn’t be able to provide what we’re able to provide if it wasn’t for Feeding America [West Michigan]. I don’t think even your organization truly understands the impact you’re having on these communities, especially in food desert communities. The need is so great. I think you guys are doing a good job. I know it’s a hard job as well. I know we’re all fighting. I think the biggest thing is your organization can stretch a dollar, which then helps us stretch a dollar. You’re not just impacting an individual or a community, but you’re also impacting the local social service agencies in these towns as well.”