Note: BACN will be closed July 6-10, and will reopen Monday, June 13 for food and financial assistance.
Food is still available in the drive-up model, and you can request your bag(s) by calling BACN Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. (231-882-9544). At the time you request your bag(s) we’ll offer you the additional items we have available that day, such as meats, milk, eggs, fresh produce, laudry detergent, etc. Also, did you know the Benzie Bus will deliver food from BACN right to your door? No need to ride the bus at this time. Simply call the bus to arrange delivery to your doorstep (231-325-3000), and then call BACN for the food.
Do you need financial assitance? Please call after 2 p .m. and we’ll be happy to explore how we might help.
Have you never used BACN but find yourself needing help in this window of time? If you live in Benzie or Northern Manistee Counties, please call us, that’s why we’re here!
As any changes occuring in the way we are operating will be posted here and on our Facebook page. In fact, be sure to follow us on Facebook for our most up-to-minute news. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work together through this pandemic!
Saturday Clothing Donations!
We are again able to accept clothing donations each Saturday through the Summer from 9 a.m. till noon! (with the exception of July 4th). Due to current best practices around the COVID pandemic, we must use certain guidelines at this time:
- We can only accept CLEAN clothing, bedding and towels
- All items must be in platic grocery bags or garbage bags, we are unable to accept cardboard or tubs at this time
Although the clothing center remains closed, we are getting things prepared for a safe opening to the public. As soon as we have the date when people can come back in the building, we’ll share here on the website and also on our Facebook page. Thank you for your patience!
Have you 8 minutes? Please watch this video sharing about three people connected to BACN, and its impact on their lives.
COVID-19 Updates for BACN
BACN will be adhering to directives set forth from our county health department, the Governor of Michigan and the Center for Disease Control. At present, two small “platoons” of staff and volunteers (4-6 each day) are in the building to answer phones, assist with that day’s food distribution, and packing of food for the next day’s distribution. The building is sanitized at the end of the day for the next day’s staff.
We are working to ensure that we are following 6-ft distance mandates for the pickup of food (whether the bags going directly to cars, or the food assortment table) and thank everyone for their cooperation in keeping the proper distance.
While people are sheltering at home, many are taking advantage of the time to clean out closets, basements and other storage areas. We look forward to once again being able to accept donations of clothing and housewares, and anticipate large amounts of donations once we are able to again accept those. Please bear with us when that time comes, as it will take many hands to prepare the donations to reach the retail floor.
We ask those readying the donations to please, to the best of your ability, have the items clean, laundered and ready for display. We look forward to offering these wonderful items to our Neighbors!
Even though our current drive-through food system uses more food per household, we are still unable to take individual food donations at this time. This is due both to lacking the volunteers for sorting and storing, and our inability to properly sanitize each item. Buying in bulk is presently keeping our food safer for Neighbors, through less human contact per item, as most comes to BACN on shrink-wrapped pallets or closed cases.
We will gratefully accept donations–mailed to BACN at P.O. Box 93, Benzonia, MI 49616, or made online through this website, for the purchase of food. If you’d like to designate your gift for food, there is a “notes” area on the online donations that allows you to do so.
Thank you so much for your support and care of Neighbors during this challenging time!
Want more ways to support BACN? Click each logo for additional information.
