For Heidi Southard, ending hunger is an intergenerational commitment passed down from her parents. Her mother was a nurturing presence in Bridgman for 22 years, providing balanced, substantial snacks for school-age children through a program of her own called Caring Cupboard at Woodland Shores Baptist Church. Heidi’s father also gave time to the program until both of them retired in 2012.
“My mother was a teacher, and she didn’t like seeing hungry kids,” Heidi said. “She felt little kids needed food and snacks at school, so she wanted to find a way to make that possible.”
When they retired, Heidi’s parents passed the baton to her, entrusting her with the responsibility of feeding children in the Berrien County community. Now, 14 years later, under Heidi’s directorship, Woodland Shores Baptist Church’s activities have broadened to include a pre-order pantry that is open twice a month and a monthly Mobile Food Pantry. Neighbors come from Bridgman, Baroda, Stevensville, Sawyer, New Troy, Glendora, and St. Joseph to receive nourishing food.
“The mobile pantry has created more opportunities to get fresh food,” Heidi said. “Having mobile pantries once a month allows us to receive perishable food and to be able to give it away while it is still good and not have the risk of buying too much just so it can rot before the next distribution day. That wouldn’t be a good use of donors’ money.”
Woodland Shores Baptist Church’s Mobile Food Pantry feeds 50 to 80 families each month. Attendance jumps to 100 households when costs are typically higher for families with children at home.
“I’ve noticed before the school year starts, the need increases. Parents need to buy school supplies and clothes, so they may come here to supplement their food budget,” Heidi said. “We also see surges before the holidays. A lot of people are looking for extra help, and if we can give it to them, that means one more gift they can buy for their child.”
Beyond their mobile distributions, their next largest initiative is the Turkey Tote Away, where families receive the ingredients for a holiday meal. Bridgman Harding’s donates turkeys for 90 to 100 families.
Other local organizations that support the church’s programs include the Harris Family Farm Foundation, Verdant Hollow Farms, Granor Farm, and Watermark Brewing Company.
Woodland Baptist Church also receives support from The Nutrition Exchange of Southwest Michigan, a county-wide hunger relief network in Berrien County that connects local farms with food pantries, senior meal sites, and home-delivered programs to supply fresh, nutrient-dense food to people facing food insecurity.
“That’s a huge group that helps us a ton,” Heidi said. “I am able to get free and fresh produce with a grant based on the number of people we help.”
Shame-free access to vital nutrition
Joshua first heard about Woodland Shores’ hunger-relief work several years ago when his grandmother turned to the pantry for support. Now facing his own time of financial struggle, he finds essential nutrition and encouragement at the Woodland pantry. Despite the challenges he and others in the community face, Joshua feels pride in the support that same community provides.
“I feel so much more confident about living where I am,” he said. “I am on disability, and this resource provides me with what I need to continue living.”
The confidence Josh has gained through visiting the mobile has inspired him to advocate for hunger relief efforts and encourage others who may feel too ashamed to get the help they need.
“Woodland Shores won’t ever refuse you,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for someone having a hard time to meet their needs. It will help you stretch your dollar and put it toward other expenses such as gas or personal things. Don’t be afraid; they’re here to help.”
Ellen, who recently turned to the Bridgman mobile for support, said shame kept her from getting help sooner.
“I was embarrassed when I first started coming,” she said. “I thought I didn’t deserve it. Heidi told me everybody needs help sometimes, and it’s OK. She was a great big motivator. She made me feel more comfortable about coming.”
Living with high blood pressure and diabetes, Ellen sees the mobile as a great way to have access to fresh produce to help her to manage her chronic conditions.
“We like to get as many fresh fruits and vegetables as we can because they go a long way,” she said. “I can’t always afford them at the grocery store. Here, we can easily get the things that don’t have much salt or preservatives and that are much healthier for our diets.”
To help us continue to provide Mobile Food Pantries in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, please donate today! We’re grateful for the continued partnership of funders like The Pokagon Fund, who help make programs like these possible.