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Food pantries are a vital resource for individuals and families who find themselves unable to buy enough groceries each month. They provide those in need with canned goods, powdered milk, fresh produce, and, yes, plenty of ramen packets, but no two pantry hauls are alike. Here’s a quick snapshot into what food pantry users come away with after a visit – though the amount and quality of groceries can also vary from visit to visit.
Now, with the floods - Monday mornings will be telling. Please help.
One client shared that this winter she had to choose between buying food and having her driveway plowed. And not having her driveway plowed exacerbated the challenge of getting food.
These are choices most of us would never imagine. Speaking to and hearing from the recipients of the Food Bank is the most telling reason of all to help.
HHarbor Springs Food PantryCOMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
2025 Year In Review/2026 Year Ahead
In early March, the Harbor Springs Community Food Pantry was asked to participate on the panel at the Chamber’s State Of The Community luncheon. The assignment was to reflect on 2025 and share challenges ahead in 2026.
While facts and figures are important it would be remiss to not acknowledge the two huge crises our community and clients faced last year.
First, the Ice Storm. Those of us who were here a year ago will never forget the Ice Storm of 2025. In the early morning hours following the onset of the storm the Pantry was contacted by Chief Knight who was organizing the warming shelter at Shay. The shelter needed a jump start on food, and Chief Knight was aware that there were 5 commercial cooling units at the Pantry filled with food that would spoil. Quick coordination saw volunteers working with headlamps to empty our cooling units and transport all contents to Shay for volunteers to begin preparing meals for community members. We also made available our entire inventory of shelf stable food for the effort. In response, the community started opening their pocketbooks and we came back from that.
Then, in the fall there was the government shutdown, during which SNAP benefits were abruptly stopped. Our numbers doubled in one week, and that continued through the end of the year. Once again, our community came through, and we were able to continue to offer our neighbors in need the same amount of food, even increasing the quantity of fruits, vegetables, fresh dairy and protein than typically offered to ease the burden during that challenging stretch.
There is significant hardship in our community.
The number of individuals served by the Pantry went up 14% in 2025 for a 2 year running increase of 26%. Pantry clients are an overlooked population who struggle to make ends meet on a regular basis in some cases, or in other cases seasonally or between jobs or because of an unexpected event, or because they just moved to the area, or because they are temporarily homeless, or…. This vulnerable group is often invisible to the general population throughout the year, but especially during the summer months when abundant wealth appears to be the norm. Emmet County has an approximate poverty rate of 9.5%, with an additional 25% of our neighbors who are considered working poor, struggling to make ends meet despite being employed. That’s 35% of our community who regularly make choices between rent, utilities, gas, health care, and food, all of which are essential to quality of life.
Food expenditures in 2025 increased by 60%. This significant increase was driven in part by the growing number of individuals served, the continued increase in food costs experienced nationwide, and the impact of the government shut down, during which SNAP benefits were temporarily discontinued. Although SNAP benefits were ultimately restored, much uncertainty remains regarding potential, long-term legislative changes that could impact many human services agencies. We anticipate and are planning for 20% increases in food costs for the current year.
In spite of preparing a list of statistics for the State Of The Community presentation, Julie Collie, Pantry Chair woke up that Monday realizing the best source of information about current challenges is Pantry clients. So we interviewed our clients one-on-one. We asked 2 questions. What are your biggest challenges RIGHT NOW, and how does access to the Pantry affect you and your life.
Our Pantry atmosphere is always upbeat. It’s a friendly, warm, inviting environment during food distribution, but that Monday tears started flowing. The resounding answer to the question about challenges was money. Money to cover monthly bills. Money to cover rent, rising food costs, gas, skyrocketing heating bills, unexpected car repairs, daycare, medical expenses. One client shared that this winter she has had to choose between buying food and having her driveway plowed. And not having her drive plowed exacerbated the challenge of getting food. These are choices most of us would never imagine.
In terms of the second question about how access to supplemental food affect your life? Following are a sampling of responses:
“Getting food from the Pantry helps tremendously in stretching our dollars.”
“The Pantry is a godsend. I don’t know what we’d do without it.”
“The fresh produce you offer is a lifesaver. I love the Pantry.”
“I feel cared for every time I come to the Pantry.”
“The Pantry helps me put nutritious food on my table. It helps me keep my family healthy.”
“Having access to pet food when the Humane Society comes has been so helpful.”
“I have money for my medications because of the Pantry.”
“My kids are able to play sports because of the money I save on groceries when I come to the Pantry.”
First, last years Ice Storm, then the Government Shutdown, and now the floods, and with some destruction of our roadways and municipal agencies being overloaded - the Harbor Springs Food Bank needs us more than ever.
Harbor Springs Community Food Pantry
PO Box 23
Harbor Springs MI. 49740 For US Mail
201 West 3d Street, Harbor Springs, MI, United States, 49740
To Visit on Monday 9-11:30 and Deliveries of Food
+1 231-526-2017. hscfoodpantry@gmail.com
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When community members take the time to research issues, gather information, and reach out in good faith, there is a shared expectation that these efforts are acknowledged, tracked, and thoughtfully addressed. We hope that concerns raised are placed into a clear process—reviewed, considered as action items where appropriate, and ultimately brought to resolution—so that the community can see progress and have confidence in the system.
Citizen Comment – Ashley O’Reilly
(Submitted for April 20, 2026 City Council Meeting)
Dear Members of the City Council,
I am writing to raise concerns regarding sidewalk conditions in our community and to request clarity on how funds designated for their repair and replacement are being used.
While the City is currently in a period of administrative transition and will soon welcome a new City Manager, it is important to remember that City Council retains responsibility for carrying out the will of the community. Policies, ordinances, and funding commitments adopted by Council remain in effect regardless of staffing changes. It is the responsibility of the City Manager to administer those directives in accordance with the law—specifically, in this case, the 2017 Street Millage and Act 51 (MDOT distributions).
In August 2019, Council discussions indicated that approximately 10% of Act 51 funds and 10% of the Street and Sidewalk Millage would be allocated annually toward sidewalk improvements. At that time, these allocations were presented as sufficient to meet estimated repair needs, with the expectation that this level of funding would continue throughout the life of the millage (through 2037). Additionally, Council approved assuming full financial responsibility for sidewalk replacement.
These actions represented a clear commitment to residents.
However, the current condition of sidewalks across the city raises serious concerns. In my neighborhood—specifically along Spring Street from the High School to the Bluff—sidewalks have deteriorated significantly. In some areas, they are uneven, broken, or reduced to rubble, creating safety hazards for pedestrians. This is not an isolated issue; similar conditions can be observed in multiple parts of the city.
Given the funding commitments that were outlined, this visible decline is difficult to reconcile.
As a taxpayer contributing through both Act 51 (state funding) and a dedicated local millage, I believe it is reasonable to ask:
• Have the funding allocations described in 2019 been consistently applied?
• Has annual spending on sidewalks met or exceeded anticipated levels?
• If so, how does the City account for the current condition of sidewalks?
• If not, what changes have been made to those commitments?
This is not a question of staff capacity, but of transparency, accountability, and adherence to the policies and funding priorities established by Council. Residents supported the millage with the understanding that it would meaningfully improve infrastructure, including sidewalks. When that infrastructure appears to be failing, it is appropriate for the community to seek answers.
I respectfully ask Council to provide clear information on this matter and, if necessary, to review current funding allocations to ensure that pedestrian safety and infrastructure maintenance are being adequately addressed—across the entire city, including within the TIF catchment area, which also carries responsibility for infrastructure (see Emmet County TIF contribution stipulations).
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ashley O’Reilly
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