Many households that are experiencing food insecurity are forced to make impossible choices: pay mandatory expenses or put food on the table. Approximately 16% of Newaygo County residents and 17% of those in Oceana County experience this economic anxiety. The financial conditions underscore the importance of food pantries like local Hesperia Community Food and Clothing Pantry to serve as a buffer against financial hardship.
Measuring Community Impact
Situated along the Newaygo-Oceana County line, the Hesperia Community Food and Clothing Pantry is uniquely positioned to serve households from both communities. The pantry provides free, nutritious food and other essential resources to neighbors facing temporary crises or ongoing financial challenges. According to coordinators Jason Curtis and Amy Pavlak, as the community has grown familiar with the resource, the amount of families served has grown from 35 to 150 families per month.
Migrant and seasonal workers from nearby Hart make up part of the growing demand.
Hesperia Community Food and Clothing Pantry operates as a small food market on one end and a community resale space on the other. Within the market, visitors have their choice of shelf-stable items, baked goods, proteins, frozen foods, and household essentials — including formula, diapers, and hygiene products for babies. At intervals, the pantry will also receive produce, and when they do, visitors grow excited.
“When we get items like asparagus or tomatoes, people are so happy,” Amy said. “Those are expensive in stores, so they’re very grateful — and so are we, because we don’t receive them often. They’re also appreciative of staples like milk, butter, and eggs, which can be costly.”
The resale area itself is an eclectic mix of donated goods, including children’s and adult clothing, vases, drinking glasses, and CD albums. Space in the basement serves as a repository for toys that are collected and set aside throughout the year, then distributed to children during the holiday season. Alongside these Christmas preparations, another pantry coordinator Nicole Curtis also helps assemble special food provisions for holiday food boxes with ham, potatoes, and pies. “It costs us $3,500 to do 80 to 90 boxes, and then the sheriff comes to help hand them out,” Amy said, emphasizing the scale of the effort and the community support that makes it possible.
Also, contributing to the pantry’s continued operations are partners including Feeding America West Michigan, as well as local retailers such as Walmart, Dollar Tree, and Ed’s Orchard Market, alongside grants from Wesco and contributions from Shelby Bank, and many others.
Two years ago, Newaygo resident Molly lost her job, which made it difficult for her to afford and access food. However, having been a part of the Hesperia United Methodist Church some years ago, she found out about the pantry.
“We needed a little assistance,” Molly said. “And I thought this would be a great place to start. I’ve been coming here for two years, and my experience has been awesome. Great people. Very friendly. Very helpful.”
Additionally, what keeps Molly coming back is the quality of food she receives, which has inspired her to spread the word. She has been successful in encouraging one other person to visit the pantry.
Molly likewise promotes the idea of donating.
“I would absolutely encourage people to donate,” Molly said. “I’ve had my brother donate clothes, and I’ve donated here myself. It’s a simple act, but it really does make a difference — this is a great place to give to.”
Thank you to the Fremont Area Community Foundation for the support needed to keep resources like Hesperia Community Food Pantry and the All Saints Catholic Church mobile running for their communities.