Food Ministries
In Jackson County, many families struggle with food insecurity. Our food ministries partner with businesses, organizations, local churches and schools to address this challenge. Together, we envision a community free from hunger. We appreciate everyone who supports our mission to make this vision a reality.
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Kid Care
AFTER SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM
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Many children who depend on free or reduced-cost school lunches often face uncertainty about dinner or weekend meals. It's heartbreaking to think that kids worry about having enough food. No child should ever have to question if they'll have enough to eat at home.
CMJC’s After School Backpack Program provides food for the weekend for school-aged children and youth throughout Jackson County identified as being at risk of going hungry.
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Volunteers assist us in the packing of backpacks/bags on a weekly basis throughout the school year.
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Through partnerships with school districts and area churches, children and youth identified as being at risk of going hungry over the weekend, receive a bag filled with nonperishable foods for the weekend throughout the school year.
During the 2024-2025 school year, CMJC distributed 24,345 bags of food to children at 31 Jackson County schools, approximately 800 children and youth received food for the weekend each week!
IN-SCHOOL
FOOD PANTRIES
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Our in-school food pantries support middle and high school aged students needing food assistance.
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These in-school pantries are meant to be a safe space. We want students to feel at ease while accessing resources without any fear of judgment.
Community Care
NON-PERISHABLE
FOOD DRIVES
Throughout the year we partner with businesses, schools, and organizations who host non-perishable food drives which benefit CMJC food minstries.
BLESSING BARN
​During each summer harvest, CMJC's Blessing Barn provides fresh produce grown from our community garden to anyone in need.
We also invite local residents to drop off any extra homegrown produce they have to share with those in need.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Our community garden located on the Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County campus, consists of a green house and 22 raised beds.
The community garden serves as a vocational and recreational site for skill development for David’s Promise participants.
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Harvested produce is given away, free of charge to anyone in need, at the CMJC Blessing Barn!
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRIES
Our Community Food Pantries on Saturday mornings are more than just a food pantry. By partnering with local churches, our community pantries are designed to empower congregations to build relationships with individuals and families living in the churches neighborhood.
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CMJC provides non-perishable food items, as well as meat, produce, and occasionally dairy and eggs to our church partners to distribute. CMJC provides the food and our church partners provide the volunteers to distribute the food, and of course, the love and hope of God!
FRESH FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Throughout the year, fresh produce is delivered to a number of locations throughout Jackson County. The produce delivered by the South Michigan Food Bank, is then unloaded and staged for distribution to area residents in need. Please click the FOOD banner at the top of the page for a complete listing, as well as distribution locations and times.
“Compassionate Ministries has been a consistent source of food security and support for the families of the Lyle Torrant Center for the past several years; providing a weekly supply of food to support families in need, allowing their bodies to be fed during the time their children are not in school, supporting the well-being of the students and families.”
Amy Rogers
Jackson County Intermediate School District
