In Berrien County, 16% of residents grapple with food insecurity. That means 1 in 6 individuals make impossible choices between food and basic necessities, which can often mean skipping meals. Fortunately, mobile food pantry sites like Harbert Community Church and its volunteers provide food resources in a welcoming atmosphere that promotes a strong sense of community.
The Harbert Community Church mobiles are notable for the fellowship they provide and their powerful desire to go above and beyond for the neighbors who turn to them for assistance.
Mobile coordinator Linda Anderson highlighted their journey, reinforced by the determination to do things right. At a previous location, Linda and her volunteers refused to falter in the face of any obstacle — rain, snow, challenging terrain, even the panic of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it became clear to them that the resources would benefit from a change of location. So Linda approached Harbert Community Church.
“I came to the pastor, and I said, ‘You know, you guys should really be doing this,’” said Linda. “You’re one of the larger churches in the area, and you’ve got a good facility.”
When Harbert Community Church came on board, the mobiles continued to grow.
The local chapter of Rotary International joined in, helping to secure extra funding to supplement the mobiles with protein. Many other organizations played their part by supplying essential dietary staples like cheese and eggs. This is in addition to nutritious items like granola, potatoes, yogurt, celery, carrots, cottage cheese, apples, milk, and garbanzo beans. Linda even encouraged her own golf league to take part in volunteering.
What resulted from these abundant efforts is a community resource committed to providing a personable and enjoyable experience for all parties involved.
“I make this a fun thing,” said Linda. “When I send out notices, I go ‘Join the flash mob to bring cheer and fun to your neighbors’. And people respond to that. I tell all my volunteers, ‘Talk to these people, cheer them up.’ These are respectable neighbors of ours. We know these people.”
Some volunteers and clients even dress up for different distributions during the holidays. Volunteers make it clear that neighbors can come inside the church and enjoy some coffee and snacks. In winter they even go as far as offering cups of warm beverages to those who are waiting.
Making connections, growing together, and supporting one another
All of this effort helps their neighbors feel right at home. In fact, locals Marlene, Roxanne, and Tami often make an event of the regular distributions. They bring chairs and even enjoy lunch with one another while waiting for the food to arrive.
“We know just about everybody,” Marlene said. Roxanne echoed her appreciation of the fellowship fostered by these resources.
All three of them have their own stories that brought them to Harbert Community Church. Marlene appreciates the access to nutritious food, especially after the passing of her husband, and she attends the mobiles with her cousin, Roxanne. Tami, a retired mother and childhood neighbor to Roxanne, joined them to help get food for her handicapped son.
“We’re working on trying to get him on disability, and this helps him make it through the month with what little money he gets,” Tami said. She picks up food for her son and another neighbor who can’t attend. “I come up here to get stuff for him. It definitely helps.”
Presently, Linda and her team of volunteers pass out food to hundreds of neighbors like Marlene, Roxanne, and Tami. Hundreds of people who have faced their own respective obstacles and come together at Harbert Community Church.
Linda spoke in depth about the impacts that the presence of these resources have had on the community with whom she’s built a strong connection.
“They need it, there’s no doubt on my mind,” she said. “You do not wait in line for an hour, two hours sometimes for food, just for the fun of it. They need this. I’ve known a lot of these people for 10 years now, most of them are on fixed incomes. They’re retired. They’re not able to bring in extra income.”
Linda also emphasized that even when people may move on from needing these resources, they still play a role in keeping them going.
“I had young women who came through the pantry [during the pandemic],” said Linda. “After one year, that one lady said to her, ‘This is my last time going through. I got a job with benefits.’ And then she donated back.”
On top of providing the funding to keep these resources running, The Pokagon Fund has generously invested in a service that continues to change the lives of hundreds of community members. We’re grateful to be working to fight hunger in Berrien County with wonderful partners like Harbert Community Church, Linda Anderson, and their team of volunteers.