Thanks to those who volunteered in the recent Giving Tuesday food distribution event at Baker College – including (in photo) OMS Middle School Builders’ Club students and advisor Chris Bird.

To address hunger in Shiawassee County, the Cook Family Foundation announces six grants to nonprofit organizations that provide food to those in need.  Shiawassee County has over 10,000 people who are unable to access food regularly, almost 15 percent of the population.

“Food Insecurity is not a new concern in our community, but it is a growing issue,” said Rachel Osmer, Associate Director of the Foundation. “Access to food is one of the most basic needs for survival. Overall well-being is negatively impacted when folks do not have access to food; they are at higher risk for chronic diseases, mental health issues, and larger medical bills.”

In recognition of the significant volunteer efforts made by many in our community, several staff and board members of the Foundation took part in a Giving Tuesday food distribution sponsored by the Shiawassee Family YMCA.  

“We are impressed with the number of our neighbors who are helping out, and we are proud of the number of agencies devoted to meeting this need,” said Anna Owens, board member of the Foundation and the Y.  The Foundation provided a $1,000 grant to the Greater Lansing Food Bank to support food distribution events like these. 

Unrestricted grants of $1,000 are being made to the following organizations:

1. Durand Area Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry 
2. Elsie Area Food Pantry 
3. Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee 
4. Angel’s Hands Community Outreach 
5. Perry Morrice Food Bank 
6. Shiawassee Council on Aging

These initial grants are the first step toward building a stronger local network. There is already a Food Work Group started in Shiawassee County committed to food access efforts. Shiawassee Health & Wellness, MSU Extension, Memorial Healthcare, Greater Lansing Food Bank, local food pantries, and several nonprofit organizations are working together to address food insecurity across the county.

CFF staff and board members Tom Cook, Bailey Leppert, Yvette Collard, and Anna Owens provide hands-on assistance at the Giving Tuesday food distribution event (behind the camera – Rachel Osmer).

In the last few years, food insecurity has worsened because of inflation. At the same time as prices have risen, food assistance has fallen, as special COVID programs have been discontinued. The Farm Bill authorizes the federal government’s primary food assistance effort, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The current Farm Bill expired in September of 2023 and inaction on its renewal adds uncertainty to the future of SNAP. 

“We don’t know what the future holds with regards to federal programs,” said Tom Cook, Executive Director of the Foundation, “but building a stronger local food system will help those in need in Shiawassee communities.” 

In 2025, the Foundation is committed to working together with community organizations, volunteers, churches, and public agencies that strive to reduce poverty and food insecurity with those who collect surplus food, gleaners, local growers and other providers of food. 

“Farming is a local tradition in our area, and we look forward to finding ways for local growers to supply food to help those who lack access to healthy, affordable food,” said Cook. Look for announcements in early 2025 about opportunities for farmers and local growers to provide food for distribution locally.  For more information, contact Rachel Osmer at rachel@cookfamilyfoundation.org.