The Pokagon Fund is fighting food insecurity in Southwest Michigan by funding Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantries in Berrien County.
In 2018, they funded 24 food distributions, dispersing 72,000 pounds of fresh produce, protein, dry goods and dairy products into the community. Food insecure families in Chikaming, New Buffalo and Three Oaks Townships, collectively known as Harbor Country, received 60,000 meals because of the fund’s contribution.
Over its many years of generous grant support, the Pokagon Fund – run by the Four Winds New Buffalo Casino and created by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi – has made a multitude of mobile food pantries possible.
Food insecurity is more prevalent in Harbor Country than it is in other parts of West Michigan: 14.5 percent of residents and 17.5 percent of children in this region are food insecure, compared to the service area’s 12.2 and 16.3 respective overall rates.
The Pokagon Fund wants to change this. Their website states, “no one in Harbor Country should be deprived of nutritious meals.” Their 2018 gift of $10,200 to Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile pantry program brought this dream closer to reality.
Since its inception 11 years ago, the fund has awarded millions of dollars to nonprofit programs that work to enhance the lives of those in Southwest Michigan. The Pokagon Fund supports nonprofit programs that focus on poverty reduction, education and community vitality – particularly those that will help the community long-term. Through sponsoring mobile pantries year after year, they are taking steps toward long-term change, striving to reduce food insecurity for good.
The Pokagon Fund is essential to Feeding America West Michigan’s success in fulfilling their mission in Southwest Michigan. Without partners like them, Feeding America West Michigan would struggle as they work to extend their reach and feed more hungry people each year.