About the Pantry

Berkley Cares Food Pantry was established to help address the growing need for food assistance in Oakland County. After helping monitor a free “little pantry” in our City we began receiving messages from neighbors in all walks of life, requesting assistance. While little pantries are helpful and can be a wonderful resource, they cannot keep up with the current demand. Food insecurity has increased rapidly as a result of the pandemic and many household’s choose between housing or medical bills and purchasing nutritionally adequate foods. Neighbors often purchase fast-food or high priced/low-quality food at gas stations or convenience stores. This increases the risk for obesity and diet-related chronic diseases. “Nationally, more than 50 million people, and 17 million children – one in six Americans and one in four children – were food insecure in 2020, an increase of nearly 50 percent. Projections indicate that food insecurity will continue to be elevated until June 2022.” (1)

Berkley Cares Food Pantry aims to eliminate these choices by providing perishable and non-perishable goods in situations of emergency and distress. We seek to provide healthy alternatives to the food-desserts and fast-food options that many are forced to purchase. When supplies allow, we will provide alternatives for food related allergies and sensitivities. BCFP relies solely on the donations of our communities and will work to give you the very best options.

We also recognize “Period Poverty” as a public health crisis. Roughly a quarter of students, between 13 and 19 years old, struggled to afford period products, according to a 2021 study of 1,010 people commissioned by advocacy group PERIOD and Thinx, a feminine hygiene product company. (2) These necessary products are subject to the 6% state tax and are not covered by SNAP or any other welfare program. This leaves countless women and girls without the products many of us take for granted. BCFP has a secondary focus on this area and strives to get these products to the woman who need them.

Inspired by our own community and neighbors, we aim to share that small home-town feel beyond the borders of Berkley. We serve individuals & families, adults, seniors, the displaced community, the unemployed and working poor; and treat all with integrity and compassion. No questions. No judgment. We’re a humble pantry with a large heart and believe we’re all here to be of service to one another.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, we are here for you. All guests will feel safe and seen.

BCFP has the right to refuse service to any pantry guest at any time. Misuse of the pantry and/or misrepresentation of need will result in the refusal and/or discontinuation of service.

If you’d like to join our mission please join us on Facebook to follow our upcoming events and any new details! There is something for everyone at the pantry!

Welcome to Berkley Cares Food Pantry, we’re happy to have you!

Berkley Cares Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit food pantry, that serves our neighbors in Oakland County.