Mobile food distribution asks for support | News, Sports, Jobs

IRON MOUNTAIN – A free food distribution coordinator in western Dickinson County is looking for administrative help.

Anda Tavonatti told the Dickinson County Board on Monday that Feeding America West Michigan’s monthly distributions at Lodal Park in Kingsford helped an average of 885 people over the summer. About 75% of the recipients were from Dickinson County, she said.

Distribution will take place this fall on the second Wednesday of the month in the parking lot of Tri-City Cinema 8 in Quinnesec.

The mobile food distribution, coordinated by Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Iron Mountain, typically needs about 25 to 30 volunteers, Tavonatti said. Because the makeup of that assistance is constantly changing, the greatest need for volunteers right now is in the area of ​​site coordination, she said.

A timetable for 2025 must be drawn up through the FAWM, so Tavonatti said she is already making it clear that it is important to get more managers on board.

Tavonatti told the board that questions about the FAWM Mobile Food Pantry or volunteering can be directed to her at 906-239-6778.

Separate FAWM distributions at the Crossroads Alliance church facility in Norway are coordinated by Grace Methodist Church, with support from several churches and a grant from the Dickinson County Community Foundation. For more information about FAWM, visit https://www.feedwm.org/.

The County Council has also taken the following steps:

— Approved a request from Anthony Quardrani to build a 1,000-square-foot addition to his hangar along the south boundary of Ford Airport. Controller Brian Bousley said Quadrani, who determined more space was needed, was responsible for the cost.

— Plans are moving forward for a gazebo in front of the Dickinson County Veteran Service Office. The office is located in an airport hangar at 2301 Woodward Ave., Kingsford.

– Learned from Commissioner Joe Stevens that the Medical Care Access Coalition, also located at 2301 Woodward Ave., Kingsford, will host an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

– Heard Commissioner Barbara Kramer report that the Dickinson County Planning Commission will soon submit a final draft of an updated master plan for the county for review.

Reach Jim Anderson at 906-774-3500, extension 226, or [email protected].