Local organizations support those in need with food resources

Coloma & surrounding areas — HOPE Resources

 At the heart of Coloma’s hunger-relief efforts is HOPE Resources, located at 262 N. Paw Paw Street in downtown Coloma. HOPE Resources serves residents in the Coloma, Watervliet, Riverside, and Hagar school districts (District #6) and offers not only food but clothing and personal-care items when resources permit. Their hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., and Monday evening (by appointment) between 5:30 and 7 p.m.

 The pantry asks that clients call ahead at (269) 202-6050 to set appointments, especially during high-demand periods. On a limited basis, delivery to households in need is sometimes offered.

Watervliet / Coloma / Hartford region — St. Joseph Parish Food Pantry

 St. Joseph Parish, in Watervliet, operates a food pantry that explicitly serves Watervliet, Coloma, and Hartford households. Distribution is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1–3 p.m. at the back door of the Parish Administration building. If no one is present, visitors are asked to ring the bell.

 This pantry is supported by parish donations and staffed by volunteers. Clients may need a referral via Love INC or stop by the church office to register.

Hartford — Cooperating Ministries Food Pantry

 In Hartford, the Cooperating Ministries Food Pantry, housed at Hartford United Methodist Church, serves as a key local resource for emergency food assistance. It has been operating for over 20 years and is part of the broader network of local outreach represented by organizations like United Way’s “Support Pantries” list. To seek help you must be residents of Hartford or Keeler.

 This food pantry is accessible Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m.

 Another substantial food distribution beyond the immediate cities is SMCAA (Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency) which runs at various locations throughout the year. This is part of the SMCAA’s broader effort to assist with food, utilities, and other support services tri-county wide. Their other program specifically for low-income seniors at least 60 years of age or older, is the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). It helps seniors supplement their diets with nutritional USDA foods.

 SMCAA provides boxed goods on a monthly basis at many locations in both Berrien and Van Buren counties. Local distributions are held at North Berrien Senior Center and the SMCAA offices at Lawrence Township.

 For additional information and to verify requirements, call 269-925-9077.

Additional nearby resources & mobile pantries

 Watervliet Free Methodist Church — Living Water Food Pantry, located at 7734 Paw Paw Avenue, is open the first and third Monday each month, from 9 a.m. to noon and requires photo ID and proof of address. First time visitors should allow extra time to complete paperwork.

 Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Pantry for fresh produce, dairy, and bulk distributions circulates through Berrien and Van Buren counties. Users can check the schedule and driving times via the Feeding America West Michigan website.

 Coming up on Sunday, Nov. 16 in Coloma a No Kid Hungry Food Drive will collect donations at the Coloma Youth Sports Park from 1-3 p.m. In-need families can come from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday to pick up food items.

 Items needed for distribution are dry cereal, canned veggies, Thanksgiving items, peanut butter, canned fruits, crackers, granola bars, baby formula/food and canned soup. Coloma Youth Sports Park is located at 6463 E. Becht Road.

Berrien Community Foundation calls on county residents to help “meet the moment” with food assistance

 On November 1, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, was paused. The 23,000+ Berrien County residents who rely on these benefits to help feed their families will be in need. That’s why Berrien Community Foundation is calling on the community to donate food items at one of eight donation sites.

 The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides over $3 million in food aid in Berrien County every month. Those dollars are spent at our local stores. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates up to $1.80 in economic benefit. This is especially critical for small local grocers, according to Food Research and Action Center.

 Berrien Community Foundation is working with partners to shore up the food pantries that are bracing for the increase in need. Thanks to the foresight of donors, BCF is able to purchase $20,000 of protein for the pantries using the Terry N. and Maryfran Tieman Endowment Fund. It will help, but it isn’t enough. BCF is challenging the community to tap in.

 The SWMI Food Is Health Collaborative and SWMI Nutrition Exchange are working with food pantries and other hunger relief agencies coordinating efforts to meet the moment, but they need everyone to ensure that our neighbors have enough to eat.

How to help

 Give Food – Eight donation sites are set up throughout Berrien County. Locally, donation bins are available at Coloma Public Library and Watervliet District Library. Donated items will be picked up by Meals on Wheels for distribution to the pantries.

 The priority items requested by the pantries are unexpired canned meat (chicken, tuna, salmon) in water, canned stews, soup or chili (low-sodium preferred), canned vegetables (low-sodium preferred), and pasta and pasta sauce. For a full list of items visit: www.berriencommunity.org/foodishealth.

 Give Money – Donations made to the Food For Good Fund at the Berrien Community Foundation will be used to purchase items in bulk for the pantries or to provide grants for pantries to purchase needed food. Tax-deductible donation can be made at www.berriencommunity.org/foodforgood.

 Give Time – The food pantries and the Nutrition Exchange will need additional volunteers to sort, pick up and deliver items. To volunteer, email bcf@berriencommunity.org, or call 269-983-3304 or connect with your local pantry. Volunteers can also sign up through the United Way of Southwest Michigan website at www.uwsm.org.

 Donations can go directly to a pantry of the givers choice. A list of pantries and their locations is available at www.berriencommunity.org, www.help4berrien.org or by calling 2-1-1.

How to get help

 A list of food pantries is available at www.help4berrien.org or by calling 2-1-1.

 Until this is resolved, BCF and a network of nonprofit providers will continue to work to provide access to food for those in need. The pantries and food providers cannot do this alone. An option is to host a food drive at your place of business or other organization; please contact BCF or work directly with a pantry. For more information, please contact Berrien Community Foundation at 269-983-3304 or email bcf@berriencommunity.org.

Michigan State Police food drive

 The Michigan State Police (MSP) Fifth District will be holding a month-long food drive ending Nov. 30, 2025, to support local families and food banks across southwest Michigan.

 Collection sites will be located at all Fifth District posts — Paw Paw, Niles, Wayland, Marshall, and District Headquarters — with each partnering with a local food pantry or nonprofit organization to ensure donations directly support our communities. Items can be dropped off in the post lobbies, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please do not leave any donations outside or on the steps.

 Most needed items are peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, soup, and beans, ready-to-eat meals (macaroni and cheese, etc.), and household and hygiene items (toilet paper, soap, detergent, deodorant).

Assist your community with much-needed food donations

 With SNAP Benefits currently at a reduced rate for over 44,000 residents collectively in our three-county area, United Way of Southwest Michigan is assisting local agencies with promoting food drives.

 Feeding America West Michigan is collecting shelf-stable, high-protein foods on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Benton Harbor Warehouse located at 1488 E. Empire in Benton Harbor. Those able can also give to any community pantry. To find the nearest pantry, visit Feeding America’s Find Food page and search for an agency partner where you live. They also suggest organizing your own food drive with your neighbors, classmates, or coworkers. Check out their website for help with this. Feeding America is accepting money donations to help provide food assistance. Every $1 can provide five meals.

 Stuff a Truck with the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency & 99.9 Y Country: This massive tri-county food drive helps stock area pantry shelves for the winter with tens of thousands of dollars in food raised, and you can help! Stop by Roger's Foodland in St. Joseph from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Nov. 18-23.