Women’s Center Domestic Abuse Program staff are pictured holding some of the items needed during the Harvest Food and Supply Drive (front from left) Jen Rashleigh-Houser, Angie Linsenman, Nicole Bruskotter, Kim McQuistion, (back from left) Stacey Ettawageshik, Jennifer DeVries, Amy Strohpaul, Monica Webb and Jamie Winters.

The Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) is holding their annual Harvest Food and Supply Drive to collect needed items for domestic and sexual abuse survivors and their children staying at the agency’s Safe Home.

The Safe Home provides a secure, supportive and caring residence for families in Northern Michigan that often arrive at the emergency shelter without personal belongings.  Last year 139 survivors and their children sought refuge at the Safe Home and were provided with more than 8,700 meals, as well as all their daily needs.  The Safe Home is fully staffed, stocked and operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a week providing a constant safe haven for those seeking refuge and producing a constant need for food and supplies.  Annual costs to run this program exceed $25,000.

“We rely on donations from the community to help make the shelter a ‘home’ for the many families from Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties utilizing these critical services,” said Safe Home Coordinator, Jamie Winters.  “All domestic abuse services at the Safe Home are provided at no charge to domestic abuse survivors and their children; support from the community during this annual donation drive is essential.”

Some of the items on the Safe Home Needs List include non-perishable food items such as cereal, fruit juice, peanut butter and boxed meals.  Household supplies include laundry detergent, toilet paper, hand soap and dish towels.  The Safe Home shelters many children who require baby food, infant formula and spill-proof cups.  Personal care items for both adults and children are also needed including lotion, body wash and hair brushes.  Gift cards and financial donations are also welcome—a $75 donation will feed and house a family of four at the Safe Home for a week.

The complete Safe Home Needs List is available on the agency’s website at wrcnm.org.  Donations may be brought to the WRCNM’s Administrative Office and Gold Mine Resale Shops in Petoskey, or to WRCNM satellite offices in Boyne City, Cheboygan, East Jordan, Gaylord or Mancelona.  For more information, a Safe Home Needs List or to arrange for pickup of items, call 231-347-1572.

Click here for a copy of the Safe Home Needs List.