TRAVERSE CITY — The Father Fred Foundation is set to launch its annual Frostbite Food Drive from Feb. 7 to Feb. 15, aiming to help individuals and families with essential needs such as food, clothing and financial assistance.
The Father Fred Foundation, which provides all goods and services at no cost to those in need, relies on the generosity of the community for support. This year, food donations will be collected at various locations, including Tom’s, Oleson’s, Oryana, Team Bob’s Heating and Cooling and Williams Chevrolet. Alongside the food drive, the foundation will host its second annual “Canstructure” event to raise awareness about food insecurity through creative food sculptures made by community teams.
Last year, the foundation reported more than 16,000 visits to its food pantry, serving nearly 48,000 people. The foundation said growing demand for food assistance reflects the community’s ongoing challenges and the rising costs to stock the pantry, which significantly impact the organization’s food budget.
The Frostbite Food Drive will collect non-perishable food items and cash or online donations to allow them to buy fresh food items such as eggs, milk, meat and fresh produce. Donations of money are crucial, as they directly contribute to the foundation’s ability to provide nutritious options for families in need.
The “Canstructure” event encourages local teams to showcase their creativity by designing sculptures from non-perishable food items, which will then be donated to the food pantry. Voting for the “Fan Favorite Award” will happen on the foundation’s Facebook page, highlighting the importance of addressing food insecurity.
To support the Father Fred Foundation and donate, click here.