Add Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on Google
UPPER MICHIGAN. (WLUC) – Ten U.P. food pantries will receive refrigerated units and additional support to help expand access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan and the Superior Health Foundation are investing $250,000 through the Food Pantry Grant Program. Since its inception, the program has invested more than $1.2 million in 269 organizations, helping increase food access for more than 120,000 Michigan residents each month
“Without proper refrigeration dairy, meat, and fresh produce are difficult for pantries to keep in stock. This funding helps U.P. residents who rely on food pantries get the nutrition they need, along with more choice in the foods available to them,” said Megan Murphy, chief executive officer of Superior Health Foundation
For the fifth consecutive year, the program will provide refrigeration units valued at up to $7,000, technical support to improve operations, nutrition education re purchase dairy for their pantries
The 2026 grant recipients are located in 34 different counties. Since 2022, the program has helped pantries serve 65 different counties, with this year’s program investing in nine counties for the first time. The U.P. pantries receiving assistance are:
- Chippewa Luce Mackinac Community Action Agency (Newberry)
- Christ’s Fellowship Ministries Food and Clothing Pantry (Germfask)
- First Church of Christ Food Pantry (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Guardian Angels St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry (Crystal Falls)
- Maranatha Messengers (Kingsford)
- Mother Olga Food Pantry (Ispheming)
- Norway Community Food Pantry (Norway)
- Paula’s Pantry (Escanaba)
- SVDP Society Diocesan Council of Marquette- Marquette Food Pantries (Marquette)
- SVDP Food Pantries of Gwinn and Sawyer, Michigan (Gwinn)
“Reliable access to fresh, nutritious food is an important preventive health measure for children and families,” said Todd Anderson, president of Blue Cross Complete of Michigan. “We’re proud to support the food pantry infrastructure in Michigan that helps keep healthy food on the table for our members and communities.”
According to Feeding America, more than 1.5 million Michiganians experienced food insecurity in 2024. Veterans and people with disabilities are among those disproportionately affected by food insecurity. While older adults experience food insecurity at lower rates than the general population, access to nutritious food remains particularly important because of age-related challenges. Nearly every pantry receiving a grant serves seniors (96%), people with disabilities (92%) and veterans (88%)
The video above will feature theTV6 livestreamuntil staff can clip the corresponding story, if available, from broadcasts or other TV6 content. You can subscribe to ourYouTube pageordownload TV6+to stream the latest local news and weather
Copyright 2026 WLUC. All rights reserved
