We had the opportunity to visit the Good Neighbors Food Pantry (GNFP) of Boyne City, starting Monday our June Cents of Community recipient, and speak with Kathy Anderson, Pantry Director, and Susan Conklin, Board President, to learn more about this community-facing organization.
Kathy and Susan have been a part of GNFP since its inception. Susan was the pantry’s previous director and became aware of the need for a pantry in Boyne City while she was volunteering at the Manna Food Project. Manna was seeing a lot of patrons from Boyne City driving up and saw a need.
Susan was asked if she would be interested in exploring the idea and the rest came together from there. Doc Mansfield, from the Boyne Area Free Clinic, approached them and said, “Hey, I’ve got a building.” The offer of the space came with the need to pay only the utilities. They opened there in 2015, and it is where they remain today. so strengthens our community by providing opportunities for neighbors to help neighbors.
There are two things that stand out about Good Neighbors Food Pantry. First, how deeply rooted in the community they are. They have around 70 committed volunteers that keep the pantry running throughout the year. Many of them are seniors, who have the time to dedicate and are very reliable. Some shop for food, others volunteer at the pantry, but all of them make this an extra special community space. They really are surrounded by good neighbors.
The other remarkable thing about GNFP is that they focus on nutrition, making sure that the pantry is stocked with fresh meats, dairy and lots of produce. You won’t find candy at this pantry, but you will find choices. Making sure that their guests can select the items that will work for their needs in an environment similar to a grocery store is important to GNFP.
They are partner agency of the Manna Food Project, and purchase much of their food from them. They also purchase from local grocers to make sure that they have a variety for their patrons. Food rescue is another important source of food. They collect from the Boyne City Grain Train, Family Fare, Provisions, Lake Street Market and the Boyne City Famers Market. St. Matthews has a kitchen garden that donates to both GNFP and Boyne Valley Pantry in Boyne Falls. The Episcopal Church of the Nativity also has a garden that supplies them with fresh produce.
Then there are the home gardeners and individual donations that are always coming in. They reflect fondly on a gentleman that drops off a couple of cases of shelf stable milk every week. Susan says, “it’s just his thing. It’s wonderful.”
Education is also important to Good Neighbors Food Pantry. They have offered cooking classes, seeds for patrons to start their own gardens, and they keep community program and health information available so when their patrons come on Tuesdays, they can access information as well as their supplies. During the holidays they provide special offerings such as turkeys, hams, and craft kits for kids. They distribute over 190 Thanksgiving baskets to local families each year.
The Good Neighbors Food Panty is open from 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 5:30 pm on Tuesdays. The Boyne Area Free Clinic is open Tuesdays from 10 am – 12 pm and again on Fridays from 8 am – 4 pm. The Boyne Area Free Clinic has emergency food boxes provided by GNFP available for when they are open and the pantry is not. The Charlevoix County Transit can also make deliveries on Tuesdays. Learn more HERE about that service.
The Good Neighbors Food Pantry relies on donations from individuals and businesses as they do not receive funds from the government. This month’s round-up will help keep this pantry stocked with healthy choices for the Boyne City community.
If you would like to donate beyond the round-up, you can make monetary donations at our registers in the month of June or visit goodneighborsboyne.org. If you would like to donate food, they keep an updated list of needs HERE. It takes the whole community to serve the 65 families (over 200 individuals), that turn to them weekly for food.
Until next time, keep cooperating—we’ll see you at the stores!
