Food sits on shelves inside Project Starburst’s pantry last year at the United Church of Big Rapids. Here’s a list of more community resources in Mecosta County for those needing help with food, shelter, essential needs, crisis intervention, mental health or substance use recovery. (File photo)
Remington Hernandez/Pioneer
Need some help? The Pioneer publishes a list of community resources every Wednesday. If any listing is inaccurate or to submit an event, contact Julie Norwood at 231-592-8358 or julie.norwood@pioneergroup.com. Deadline is noon Mondays.
ESSENTIAL NEEDS
Manna Pantry of Big Rapids: noon to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the annex of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 315B S. State St., Big Rapids. Pantry closes by 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, or when food inventory has been distributed. For more information, contact 231-408-2940, mannapantry.org.
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Project Starburst: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the basement of the United Church of Big Rapids, 120 S. State St., Big Rapids. Volunteers needed. Call 231-796-5342, if interested.
Lord’s Table Food Pantry: Open 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays at Faith Community Church, 610 Green St., Big Rapids. Volunteers needed. Everyone is welcome, all veterans and those in need. Contact 231-796-8389 to set up an appointment outside normal hours.
Reed City Food Pantry: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 831 S. Chestnut St., Reed City. For questions or emergency food needs, call 231-215-6996.
Barryton Area Mobile Food Pantry: 2 p.m. the second Saturday of each month, rain or shine, at the Fork Township Community Center parking lot, 3265 20 Mile Road, Barryton. Registration to receive food begins at noon. For more information, visit bamfp.org.
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Angels of Action: 200 S. Stewart, Big Rapids. Provides children and their families access to food, essential needs and community resources. Call 231-629-8140 or email info@angelsofaction.org for assistance.
Our Brother’s Keeper: 405 S. 3rd Ave., Big Rapids. Provides temporary emergency housing for those homeless and looking for safety or a place to stay as they transition into more permanent housing. Call 231-629-8160 for assistance.
Mid Michigan Community Action: 706 Maple St., Big Rapids. Provides help with food, housing, early childhood education, home energy savings, energy assistance, homebuyer assistance and more. Call 231-660-0271 for the Big Rapids location and 231-791-7078 for the Reed City location.
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God’s Helping Hands of Mecosta County: 8760 50th Ave., Remus. A coalition between area churches to provide emergency food, clothing, household furnishings and financial assistance. Food pantry and resale store hours are 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays, except on holidays; donations excepted until 11:30 a.m. those days. For more information, visit the God’s Helping Hand Facebook page or call 989-967-8581.
Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity: 15200 220th Ave, Big Rapids. Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity partners with families to become homeowners, addresses critical home repairs by existing low income homeowners and assists veterans with housing concerns. For more information, visit www.mecostahabitat.org or contact Lisa at 231-598-2092.
HEALTH AND RECOVERY
Mecosta County Health Department: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 14485 Northland Drive, Big Rapids. 231-592-0130.
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Community Mental Health for Central Michigan: 500 S. 3rd Ave., Big Rapids. 231-796-5825.
Family Health Care: 15044 220th Ave., Big Rapids. A nonprofit medical group that provides affordable and accessible medical, dental and behavioral health care to the underserved population regardless of ability to pay, insurance, etc. Call 231-527-7150 or visit familyhealthcare.org.
Hope House Free Medical Clinic: 405 S. 3rd Ave., Big Rapids. Provides limited medical care to adults who lack insurance. For more information, call 231-598-9500 or visit hopehouseclinic.org.
Life Resources: 14321 Northland Drive, Suite 2, Big Rapids. Provides free medical care for early pregnancy, including pregnancy confirmation, ultrasound scans, and options conversations. Provides families with children ages 5 and under parenting support and essential baby items, including clothing, diapers, cribs, and more. Call 231-796-4919 for assistance.
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Central Michigan Recovery Education Network: A network of organizations that provide education, prevention, recovery and treatment for those affected by substance use disorder. Call 1-800-662-4357 or visit www.cmren.org for more information.
Ten16 Recovery Network: 150 S. Stewart Ave., Big Rapids. A nonprofit center for recovery and wellness providing recovery coaching, counseling and support to individuals experiencing concerns regarding their use of substances. Call 231-527-2000 or visit 1016.org.
CREW (Collegiate Recovery Education Wellness): Ten16 Recovery Network’s recovery program at Ferris State University. Provides individual therapy, peer-to-peer recovery groups, individual recovery coaching and sober social activities for students. For more information, visit www.ferris.edu/student-life/HCenter/CREW.htm
WISE (Women’s Information Services): Provides crisis intervention and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Call the 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-374-WISE.
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Healing Private Wounds: Offers weekly sexual abuse recovery groups at 421 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac. Intake visitor required for first time attendees. Call 231-846-4495 to pre-register. More information at www.healingprivatewounds.org.
Anger Management: 10-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Jan. 12-May 18.
Parenting Through Divorce: 1-2:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12-March 2.
Healing the Wounded Inner Child: 3-4:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12-March 16.
Co-Ed Sexual Abuse Recovery Grow Group: 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 13-March 19.
Women’s Sexual Abuse Recovery Grow Group: 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 14-March 16.
Trauma, Recovery and Empowerment for Women: 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Jan. 15-May 21.
DBT-Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group: 10-11:30 a.m. Fridays, Jan. 16-May 21
Women’s Empowerment Group: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, begins Jan. 21.
SUPPORT GROUPS
TOPS 9189 (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly): 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the United Church of Big Rapids dinning hall, 120 S. State St., Big Rapids. The public is invited to join TOPS 9189 weight loss support group. Weigh-in is 8:30-9:15 a.m., followed by a meeting at 9:30-10:30 a.m. First visit is free.
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Men Overcoming Loss, Grieving Dads: (virtual and in-person) 6-7 p.m. first Wednesday of each month, at Hospice of Michigan, 400 Perry Ave., Big Rapids. This support group is designed for dads who are dealing with the death of a son or daughter. RSVP with David Keller at 231-527-0913, dkeller@hom.org
Eastside Veterans: 1 p.m. first and third Wednesdays of each month at AMVETS Post 1941, 320 S. 4th Ave., Big Rapids. For more information, call the AMVETS Post 1941 at 231-796-6998.
Big Rapids/Reed City Area Caregiver Support Group: 5-6:30 p.m. third Wednesday of each month at Corewell Health Care Center, 14755 215th Ave., Big Rapids. Presented by Alzheimer’s Association. To register, call the 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.
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Big Rapids Sunday Night Al-Anon: 7-8 p.m. Sundays at The Old Jail, 220 South Stewart Ave. Big Rapids. It is free and open to everyone. Contact: 757-563-1600. More: al-anon.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: To find a group, call the hotline at 1-800-367-6788 or visit area34district9.org.