The growing challenge of food insecurity: a crisis close to home and how to help or get help

As autumn settles over Berrien County, the need for reliable food support for our small communities of Coloma, Watervliet, and Hartford becomes more pressing. Rising costs, lingering effects of economic disruption, and seasonal hardships often place extra strain on families just when school‐meal programs scale back. Fortunately, local agencies, churches, and volunteers in these towns continue to step up, offering food pantries, mobile distributions, and partnerships that aim to keep neighbors fed and stable through the fall months.

The hidden faces of hunger

Food insecurity often hides behind closed doors. Families struggling to pay bills may not speak openly about their situation, out of pride or fear of judgment. Students may show up to school hungry, affecting their ability to learn and concentrate. Seniors living alone may quietly ration their food to make it last.

Experts stress that food insecurity isn’t just about hunger — it’s about health, opportunity, and stability. Poor nutrition is linked to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and children who experience hunger are more likely to face developmental and academic challenges.

The effects ripple through entire communities, shaping the well-being of future generations.

A crisis beyond the numbers

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 44 million Americans lived in food-insecure households in 2023 — including one in every five children. In many communities, rising costs of living, inflation, and limited access to affordable groceries have deepened the problem.

While food insecurity often evokes images of urban poverty, the crisis is equally severe in rural areas. In small towns and agricultural regions, grocery stores are fewer and farther apart, transportation is limited, and wages are often lower. This combination of factors creates what experts call “food deserts” — areas where residents have few or no convenient options for healthy, affordable food.

Closer to home, communities in places like Coloma, Watervliet, and Hartford, Michigan mirror the national trend. Local food pantries and churches are seeing increased demand, and trying to fill the gaps.

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. The organization was formed in 2017 by combining the longstanding North Berrien Food Pantry (a mission of Coloma United Methodist Church) and the Plymouth Congregational Church pantry in Watervliet.

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.

Additionally, in conjunction with other organizations, HOPE Resources offers Soup Suppers. These meals are available the first Thursday of the month starting in September and running through May. Each month a different organization supplies the soup for the evening. The event is always held at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 7454 Paw Paw Ave., in Watervliet.

All are invited to this wonderful event were folks can get a very filling meal at a great price. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the cost is $5. Each meal consists of a bowl of soup, salad, and a dessert. There is also a 50-50 raffle that’s held at each dinner, where all the proceeds help to fund HOPE Resources.

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.

Challenges & trends this fall

Like many areas across Michigan and the U.S., local pantries in Berrien County are seeing elevated demand due to inflation, higher gas and utility costs, and lingering gaps in social supports. And as the weather cools, some produce and fresh offerings via mobile pantries may become less frequent. This puts pressure on core dry goods, soups, and shelf-stable items.

Many pantries are volunteer-run, relying on availability and willingness of workers and fluctuations in funding can impact how much food a pantry can stock or distribute during peak months like November and December.

Transportation, limited hours, and the need for appointments are access barriers that can make it harder for working families or households without reliable transport to access these services—especially in more rural pockets between towns.

What residents can do

Call ahead or schedule: many pantries require appointments, registration, or advance notification especially during fall and holiday seasons. For example, Hope Resources encourages clients to call before arriving.

Know your eligibility and paperwork: pantries often require proof of address, identification, or a referral.

Explore mobile options: for fresh food or produce, look at the mobile pantry routes from Feeding America West Michigan.

Volunteer or donate: these pantries operate on shoestring budgets and rely heavily on community giving whether it’s canned goods, monetary support, or volunteer time.

Use additional services: SMCAA and other agencies offer wraparound support—like utility assistance, heating or cooling aid, or referrals—alongside their food services.

A call for community solidarity

Food insecurity is a pervasive challenge, but it’s not insurmountable—especially when neighbors support one another. In Coloma, Watervliet, and Hartford, the web of pantries, churches, nonprofits, and mobile distributions offers a safety net designed to catch those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. This fall, the strength of that safety net will depend not just on staff and volunteers, but on the active engagement of residents and local donors. Can they count on you?

By spreading awareness, sharing pantry hours (which can change around holidays or due to volunteer availability), donating nonperishable goods, and contributing time, every community member can play a part. For those in need, this network of food pantries is ready to help—but prompt outreach and planning can make the difference between a successful visit and a missed opportunity.