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Pop-Up Food Pantries Emerging In The Thumb Region This January
Russ Survance
Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:22:11 EST
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Community volunteers are organizing over half a dozen drive-thru, pop-up food distribution events across the Thumb area in January, with only two scheduled in Huron County.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, local organizers and community groups have conducted more than 300 food distributions, providing over 3 million pounds of food to residents in the Upper Thumb.
January Drive-Thru Food Pantry Dates and Locations
Huron County:
Saturday, January 10:
Thumb Breadbasket drive-thru distribution, 10 a.m. to noon (or until supplies run out) Pigeon River Mennonite Church, 7120 Geiger Road, Pigeon
Thursday, January 15:
Food giveaway, starting at 10 a.m., Port Hope Fire Hall, 4205 N. Lakeshore Road, Port Hope
Sanilac County:
Wednesday, January 15: 10 a.m. at Sandusky Transportation Building, 110 Campbell Road Sandusky
Followed by another one at noon at Valiant Ministries, 5242 North Black River Road, Croswell
Thursday, January 22: 3:30 p.m. at Kohler Propane, 8744 Burnside Road, Brown City
Tuscola County:
Saturday, January 24: 10 a.m. at Wesleyan Church, 3248 Washington St., Kingston
**Key Details for Drive-Thru Events**
Arrive with your vehicle trunk empty and open.
Distribution is first-come, first-served.
Quantities are limited.
These events are free and open to everyone.
For the complete schedule of mobile pop-up pantries, check the calendar on the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan website at
CLICK HERE FOR EASTERN MICHIGAN FOODBANK WEBSITE.
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Ongoing Food Pantries in Huron County
Bad Axe:
Free Methodist Church, 165 Pigeon Road (989-269-8664): First Thursday of the month, 9-10:30 a.m.
First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Woodworth St. (989-269-7671): Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
St. Hubert Catholic Church, 311 Whitelam St. (989-269-7729): Requires referral from a caseworker, school, veteran services, etc.
Huron County Baby Pantry, former George E. Greene Elementary School building, 309 N. Outer Drive (989-658-8625): Second and fourth Thursday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Positive Alternatives, 132 E. Huron Ave. (989-269-6760): Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bay Port:
Bay Port Community Food Pantry, 755 Orr St. (989-670-2003, call ahead): Contact Carol
Community of Christ: Third Wednesday morning each month (989-453-2850): Contact Kathy
Caseville:
Caseville Community Food Pantry, 6495 Main St. (248-656-2180): Emergency food and monthly pop-up (no pop-ups in January or February); Contact Wendy
Methodist Church (989-670-8031, call for appointment): Serves residents of Caseville, Caseville Township, and Lake Township; Contact Amy
Elkton:
St. Paul Methodist Church Food Pantry, 150 Main St. (989-375-4113): First and third Wednesday, 9 a.m.-noon
Harbor Beach:
Harbor Beach/Port Hope Ministerial Association Food Pantry, 253 S. First St. (989-479-6053): First and third Tuesday, 6-7:30 p.m.; second and fourth Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m. Serves Harbor Beach, Port Hope, Forestville, Parisville, Ruth, and Minden City
Kinde:
First Presbyterian Church, 4956 Diem St. (989-874-4636): Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m.
Pigeon:
Pigeon Ecumenical Food Pantry, First United Methodist Church, 7102 E. Michigan Ave. (989-453-2475): Open second and fourth Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Port Austin:
Port Austin Food Pantry, United Protestant Church, 8625 Arch St. (989-738-5322): Monday, 3-5 p.m.; 24/7 closet access available
Port Hope:
AMVETS Post No. 115 Food Pantry, 8011 Rubicon Road (989-428-4520): Every Friday, 3:30-6 p.m. (on Bingo nights); occasional pop-up events
Sebewaing and Unionville:
Trinity United Methodist Church, 513 Washington St., Sebewaing (989-883-3350): Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; walk-in help for Sebewaing and Unionville residents; 24/7 Blessing Box at entrance
Ubly:
Knights of Columbus Food Pantry at Good Shepherd Parish, 4470 N. Washington St. (989-658-8824): Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thumb Blessing Boxes
Launched in 2020, Thumb Blessing Boxes offer round-the-clock, anonymous access to nonperishable food items, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene products. These boxes operate 24/7 year-round and are placed in multiple locations across Huron and Tuscola counties.
For a full list of locations, visit
CLICK HERE FOR THUMB BLESSING BOXES.
*Immediate Assistance Options
- Call 2-1-1 for confidential connections to local food resources and other support services through Michigan 2-1-1.
- Explore the Food Bank Council of Michigan website for information on nearby food banks and statewide hunger-relief programs.
