By Andy Jeffrey – as featured in the Port Huron Times Herald
Residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be without those benefits starting Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
SNAP is a federal program that provides low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food, including about 28,000 Blue Water Area residents.
“We’ve already had more calls,” said Kaitlyn Herber, a case worker with the Salvation Army in Port Huron, adding that they expect the number to keep increasing.
Here’s how many residents in the Blue Water Area received SNAP benefits in September, according to the state:
September 2025 SNAP Benefit Recipients
St. Clair County
Average per person: $177.35
Cases: 12,295
Recipients: 22,490
Adult recipients: 14,234
Child recipients: 8,256
Payments: $3,988,665
Average per case: $324.41
A wide network of food pantries, soup kitchens, churches, and community programs continue to offer free meals and groceries throughout the region.
Most offer more than just food — many also help with rent, utilities, clothing, transportation and other essentials. Below is a list of local food pantries, soup kitchens and community programs currently serving residents.
The Community Foundation encourages you to support your favorite local food pantry directly at this time… If you prefer, we do have the option to support our Community Assistance Fund which will provide assistance amongst all local food pantries based on their needs and funds available as immediately as possible.
Local Food Pantries
Our community is here for each other! St. Clair County has several food banks where our neighbors can find food and support. Check each location’s hours before visiting, and if you have time or resources to share, consider donating or volunteering.
All Nations Church of God – 2030 Church Steet, Port Huron, 810-984-4504
Blue Water Community Action Agency – 3403 Lapeer Road, Port Huron, 810-982-8541
Blue Water Community Food Depot -2408 10th Street, Port Huron, 810-987-7886
Downriver Helping Hands – 310 S. Parker, Marine City, 810-765-3848
Faith Lutheran Food Pantry – 3455 Stone Street, Port Huron, 810-985-5733
First Congregational Church – UCC – 300 N. Adams Road, St. Clair, 810-329-4142
Full Gospel Church of God – 1340 Division Street, Port Huron, 810-937-7789
Harbor Impact Ministries – 1963 Allen Road, Smiths Creek, 810-662-3936
Holy Family Catholic Church – 79780 Main Street, Memphis, 810-392-2056
Lakeport Wesleyan Church – 3871 Harris Road, Fort Gratiot, 80-327-6211
Mid City Nutrition – 830 Griswold Street, Port Huron, 810-982-9535
Salvation Army – Port Huron – 2000 Court Street, Port Huron, 810-984-2679
SOS Food Pantry – 2929 Gratiot Boulevard, Marysville, 810-364-6333
St. John’s Church of Christ – 710 Pine Street, Port Huron, 810-984-5031
St. Martin Bread of Life Nutrition Center – 156 S. William Street, Marine City, 810-765-5242
St. Vincent de Paul/St Clair Ecumenical Food Pantry – 800 Orchard Street, St. Clair, 810-300-6603
The C3 Connection – 114 N. Main Street, Capac, 810-292-4256
Trinity United Methodist Food Pantry – 424 Smith Street, Algonac, 810-794-7379
Yale Community Food Fund – 310 North Main, Yale, 810-304-1309
YMCA – 1525 3rd Street, Port Huron, 810-987-6400
Please note that this may not be a complete list of food banks in St. Clair County. We’ll continue to update it as we receive new information. For mobile food distributions and additional resources visit Operation Transformation or the St. Clair County CSCB.