News Photo by Darby Hinkley Farm Bureau Insurance Agent Charitable Fund President Robert Barrigar, left, joins Perch’s IGA owner Terry Curtis, center, in presenting a $3,250 check and groceries from Perch’s to Mary Lappan, coordinator of Grace Lutheran Church’s Little Food Pantry. The pantry is open 24 hours a day to anyone in the community who needs it.

ALPENA — Farm Bureau Insurance Agent Charitable Fund President Robert Barrigar presented $3,250 to Grace Lutheran Church’s Little Food Pantry on Tuesday. The money will be used to purchase groceries to stock the only 24-hour pantry in Alpena.

Boxes of grocery items were purchased from Perch’s IGA and presented on Tuesday. The remaining funds will be used to continue to stock the outdoor pantry, located at 119 W. Dunbar St. in front of the entrance to the church. More nonperishable food items are available 24 hours a day inside the foyer area.

People can come get the items they need, and leave new food and hygiene items at any time of day or night. You do not have to leave any items to receive items, but people are asked to please take only what they currently need.

Barrigar, who owns Robert Barrigar Agency in Alpena, explained the purpose of the Agent Charitable Fund.

“It’s a group of agents from around the state of Michigan that donate their own personal money to contribute to this fund, to set aside Farm Bureau agents from the rest, united behind the cause of ending hunger in Michigan,” Barrigar said. “We give agents the opportunity to submit a grant for a donation like this. As long as they submit for a grant that has to do with hunger relief, it’s normally approved … especially if it has to do with kids, those kind of get bumped to the top.”

In this round of funding, the Agent Charitable Fund gave seven grants at $3,250 each. Nonprofits dealing with hunger issues can submit an application requesting up to $4,000, Barrigar said.

Barrigar added that since the Agent Charitable Fund began five years ago, over $350,000 has been donated back into Michigan communities to help fight hunger.

The Little Food Pantry is supported by the financial gifts of church and community members, as well as through grants.

“We are proud to say the pantry has been in existence for over five years, thanks to support from our surrounding area,” said Mary Lappan, LFP coordinator. “It is open 24/7 with no questions asked, and used frequently. It is the only one of its kind in the Alpena area.”

Volunteers stock the pantry daily to help community members with short-term needs.

Barrigar explained that he purchased the groceries through Perch’s IGA because he knows the owners, Terry and Julie Curtis, and he likes to support hometown businesses.

“We always try to bring in a local grocery store to help fill the pantries,” Barrigar said. “Perch’s is always my go-to. I’ve got a special place in my heart for them because I used to work there … Every time I’ve gone to them, they’ve stepped up. Every time.”

Pastor Tom Orth of Grace Lutheran can see people coming and going from the Little Food Pantry through his office window.

“I think at least a third of the people that come give something, and that’s consistent,” Orth said. “So, it’s really hard to say how much goes out because some people just go ahead and put it in the pantry. It’s a way that people in the community can give back out of their excess, too.”

Barrigar added that having a variety of items to choose from is nice for recipients.

“When people go to a food pantry, it’s a little more uplifting when they feel like they have a choice, and they have that ability to grab different items, a variety of stuff,” he said.