Otsego County Food Pantry

The Otsego County Food Pantry is an Ecumenical organization of churches and service groups working together to provide emergency food supplies to people in need.

Originally the Food Pantry was an R.S.V.P. program. In 1989, through the cooperative effort of the Otsego County Ministerial Association and other concerned organizations, the Pantry became governed by the current Board of Directors, comprised of representatives from area churches who wished to participate as well as several organizations. In April of 1991, the Food Pantry became a Michigan non-profit corporation.

The Friendship Shelter

The Friendship Shelter opened its doors in 1991 to accommodate the growing number of area homeless men, women, and children (30% of residents are under 16). We have found that in every case poor decision making played a major role in the homeless situation.

It has been said, "if you give a person a fish, he eats for a day, but teach him to fish, and he eats for a lifetime." This is the point of view taken by the shelter's staff and board of directors.

An array of programs have been developed to educate our residents, which has helped to reduce recidivism. The Friendship Shelter not only provides temporary shelter; but an education to keep the residents from needing to utilize such services again in the future.

New Life Pregnancy Resource Center

Finding out that you are pregnant unexpectedly can be a very emotional time. Suddenly you face huge decisions and you don't have a lot of time to make them. New Life Pregnancy Resource Center is here for you through it all. We really can help. Please give us a call. The number is 989-732-1626.

Or you can send an email: gaylordnewlife@yahoo.com

First Call for Help of Otsego County

First Call for Help is a community collaborative emergency service program designed to provide a one-stop center to locate the assistance that a family needs. Local and state emergency service dollars are partnered with benevolent dollars from local churches, United Way agency services, and corporate giving to meet the crisis needs of our community.

Our clients are your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, or a stranger. In today’s economy, with so many families living paycheck to paycheck, a medical need, an accident, lay-off, or other unexpected situation can create a temporary family crisis. Most of our clients aren’t eligible for on-going monetary assistance from state or federal programs because their need is temporary and their income level is too high under normal circumstances.

Community Meal Program

The purpose of the Family Nutrition Program is to improve the level of nutrition education and increase the ability to use food dollars and food stamps wisely. Core topics for group or individual lessons include:

* Basic nutrition • Meal planning

* Food safety • Managing resources

* Label reading • Stretching food dollars

The Family Nutrition Program has a strong connection to the senior population through the monthly commodity food program, senior meal sites, and the Commission on Aging Other FNP program areas include:

* Department of Public Health – WIC

* Project Fresh

* Head Start parent groups

* Local food pantries and Homeless Shelter

* Work First

* Youth groups