About

OUR EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY SERVICES LAKE COUNTY AND IS OPEN:
WEDNESDAYS 11:00 AM UNTIL 3 PM
IT IS LOCATED AT 740 NINTH ST. IN BALDWIN
BETWEEN ST. ANN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND ST. ANN'S SENIOR CENTER
Food pantry number 231-349-8269 and
Non Food Emergency requests number 231-287-4869

It has been a very busy year at the Bread of Life pantry. We were blessed with great community support through our the year. Thank you everyone who supported this ministry, we are very grateful for each and every one of you.

The year started sadly with the loss of a founding board member and our treasurer, Cookie Arquette and ends with more change as Pastor Bruce and Sally retire to Ludington. They have assured us they are staying involved. It has been a year filled with many challenges that were overcome by the grace of our God and the people He has called to care for those in need. This team that comes together every week consists of some of the most dedicated and caring people I know. Your time, energy and love for your neighbor is beyond inspiring! Thank you for all that you do! Along with the community and many partners, we were able to provide for the 9555 requests for food we received, an increase of over 1300 requests received in 2023. An average of 187 families came weekly to receive what God provided for them; however, utilization was consistent at 75% once a month. Our team shared not just food or assistance but hope that someone cares. Because of your dedication to the Bread of Life pantry, 40,356 times a person had food to eat, 19,026 times a child received love from God. 7043 times a senior, 1440 a veteran and 514 times a homeless family received a hand up, and we added 660 new families to the database. Even as the requests continue to increase each year, God is mighty to provide what is needed to care for His people. Thank You Jesus!
As we continue to grow as a ministry, we will follow what our Lord has called us to do. “Feed My people. Freely give as you have freely received.” It is impossible to out give God! Great job team!

Thank you!!
Happy New Year!! (January 2025)
Lynne Mills

Souper Bowl 2025! 2506 cans and $2888 collected for the 11th Annual Souper Bowl! The Golden Soup Can trophy goes to the Baldwin Community Church for donating 1616 cans and $1616. Second place went to the Lake County Catholic Church with 890 cans and $272. With an additional $1000 donation we have received $2888.

David Morris and the Baldwin Wesco team raised $5924.78 in their Corporate campaign to support a nonprofit. The team raised $4924.78 by providing an opportunity for the community to donate. A $1000 was added by Wesco Corporate to go with their efforts.

team members Chris Johnson, Sandy Dode and MSU Extension Nutrition Instructor for Lake County, Rachael Gillespie.

some of our Wednesday giving team with Dave Morris from Wesco, a great partner of the pantry.

Pastor Bruce Whitney and Sally retire to Ludington after 14 years as Pastor at the Baldwin Community Church. He is a founding board member and leader of this ministry.

The Baldwin High School students collected $250 and a car load of food. Left to right are volunteers; Lily Radke, Annette Grenell, Nan Price, Lynne Mills and teacher, Carissa Reidel, students, Aria Tate and Rayland Abraham Amold

BCS teacher Carissa Reidel, Aria Tate and Rayland Abraham Amold.

The Forestry Service held their annual food collection competition between Baldwin and White Cloud. They dropped off 760 pounds of food, Wednesday, to help feed hungry families!

The Dollar General in Baldwin donated overstock to Bread of Life pantry! What a great treat to share with others for the holidays. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

Corewell Health Big Rapids & Reed City Central CPM and staff members collected nearly 300 personal care items for the Hope Chest Pantry. Jessica Verschueren and Louie Rush pictured

Diane Smolinski Director of Hope Chest Pantry receives donation from Corewell Health BR & RC hospitals

Baldwin Community School class of 1964 held their 60th class Reunion collecting food for the pantry.

Diane Smolinski receives a book donation from the Knights of Columbus #12387

Marlene Gaiten with Amvets post 1988; shared $500 to BOL from the Blessing of the Bikes. Lynne Mills, Marlene Gaiten

MSU extension and Corewell Health provide recipes and healthy cooking tips during a food demo at BOL. Eloise Wilson (BOL), Rachael Gillespie MSUE, Bailey Parmelee Corewell Health.

In appreciation for outstanding and continuing support of the Bread of Life pantry, a Making a Difference plaque was presented to David Morris and the Wesco in Baldwin and Houseman's Foods for partnering with us to create opportunities to raise money to help feed the hungry. It is a big challenge and with their participation, we are able to provide for the community. You truly are making a difference for hundreds of families. Pic 2- David Morris from Wesco in Baldwin often volunteers at Bread of Life pantry. He received a Making a Difference plaque for his team. Thank you Dave and good job team!

Houseman's Foods received a Making a Difference plaque recognizing their efforts in helping to feed the hungry. Your support means a lot! Pictured Cregg Bolles, Becky French, Gabrie Bolles, Amy VanDyken, Marlene Schofield. Good job team!

Houseman's Foods finishes their summer Donation at Checkout campaign, Labor Day weekend, raising $787.53 making their summer total $5187 raised to support the Bread of Life pantry to feed the hungry. Well done! Pictured - Julie Sanford, Lynne Mills, Marlene Schofield, Gabrie & Cregg Bolles

Volunteers Nan Price and Terri King receive vegetable from the Food Council community garden beds at Grand Oaks Nursing home and the Community Church.

the Big Star Lake Association held their annual Lakeside Ridge Rd & Basford Rd race and collected food for BOL. Pictured is Marianne Cooke (BOL), with coordinators Jan & Lee Gorbach and Gary & Jan Bissonette.

TO DONATE
Make check payable to BREAD OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY
and mail it to:
BREAD OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY
PO BOX 44
BALDWIN, MI 49304

Click Here for 2019 Crop Walk Info

Listed below are some articles and interesting tidbits on the
L.C.A.C.C. Bread of Life Food Pantry
The next three pictures are from the Sat, Oct 5th the Lake County ORV Club. They held a food drive and collected a truck load of food and $387! Their sign notes the food securities numbers and they are why we are here. They had hot dogs and a 50/50 raffle. The winner donating back to us!

Volunteers Susan and Dona

Kathy & Don and Kathy's prep team

Governor's Service Award 2022

Michigan Governor and Pantry Director Lynne

Christmas with Sherriff Martin

Governor's Service Award each county was represented

Souper Bowl 2023 winners BCC!

DNR Forestry Service

Governor's Award Nomination

WESCO Corporate match campaign raised $7,000.00

St. Benedictine University mission students

The picture above is John from St. Alphonsus in Grand Rapids up on a mission to Lake County helping us give groceries on a Wednesday.

The next two pictures are Peter, Drama Teacher at BCS collected donations for their "Eat like a Child" production.

The next two photos: are Spectrum Health YMCA in Grand Rapids brought 100 veggie bags to share with the pantry.

DHD #10 did a vaccine clinic at the Bread of Life pantry, June 3, 2021. 7 people received a vaccine.

Wesco raised over $3,500.00 in their annual change collection for the pantry.

The Bread of Life pantry received $2,000.00 from the Lake County Sherrif's office from their can and bottle collections.

Over 5,000 pounds of venison was donated by the 2021 Hunt for Hunger program, processed by the M37 Meat Shack crew.

The two pictures below show Houseman's presenting the "Dollar at check out campaign" from the Fourth of July and Labor Day campaigns. They raised nearly $1500 for the Bread of Life Pantry this year!!

THANK YOU!

The above picture is of Carl and Charlie congratulating each other on a job well done of putting the sides on the shelter. These are much stronger than the tarps they replaced.

The next 5 pictures below are of the Monday prep team getting ready to prep the pantry for Wednesday