Brandon Twp.- It’s summertime, but the living is not so easy for some local families that must feed children without the benefit of free or reduced lunches from the school district.
The Ortonville Community Emergency Fund strives to meet the needs of these families, but also faces reduced donations during months where donors are often busy or away on vacation.
‘Because people are busy, they may not think about the food pantry and that we still need donations,? says OCEF Food Pantry Director Judy Henley.
OCEF is currently seeking donations that include canned pasta, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna fish and more for lunches, as well as cereal and juices. Laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, bar soap and feminine hygiene products are also needed and monetary donations are always welcome.
For the month of June, 85 families visited the food pantry. Each family gets one visit during the month and enough food to feed their family for one week of that month.
‘We’ve been really busy,’Henley said. It’s always more difficult in the summer when the kids are home.People have to stretch an already tight food budget, and with kids, just being home means they eat more than usual.?
Food donations can be left in the OCEF donation box at Bueche’s Food World, 400 Ortonville Road, or dropped off at St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road. Details: (248) 627-3965.