For over 22 years, Family Impact Centers has been a cornerstone of support for families facing food insecurity in the Fowlerville area. What started as a small food pantry has grown into a comprehensive community resource, providing not just food, but hope, love, and essential services to hundreds of individuals each month. With a faith-based mission, they’ve made it their goal to ensure that no family goes hungry and that those in need feel supported through every season of life. We’re excited to share their story, straight from the team at Family Impact Centers themselves. Here’s what they had to say:
1. Tell us a little about your business:
Family Impact Centers is a faith-based food pantry that serves families in need within our community. We focus on providing essential food assistance to those facing food insecurity, along with other supportive services throughout the year.
2. What do you do or sell?
While we don’t sell anything, we distribute food, including fresh produce, pantry staples, and personal care items. Additionally, we offer programs like backpacks for school, holiday food baskets, weekly produce boxes, and Christmas Adopt-a-Family programs to families in need.
3. Who do you serve?
We serve families in and surrounding Fowlerville, reaching up to 100 families a month—over 300 individuals, including children and the elderly. Our goal is to ensure that no family goes hungry and that they feel supported during challenging times.
4. Can you tell us the story behind your business? How did it all start?
Family Impact Centers started out of a desire to address the growing needs of families in our area who were struggling to put food on the table over 22 years ago. Over time, it grew into a comprehensive food pantry, supported by the community and driven by a passion for making a difference. This journey has led us to expand our services and impact over the past eight months, including moving into a new building in April and extending our hours to five days a week.
5. What makes your business unique compared to others in the area?
Our food pantry stands out because we offer more than just food assistance. We provide support through various programs, including school supplies, Easter and Thanksgiving baskets, and our Adopt-a-Family initiative at Christmas. Our partnership with Torch 180 to provide weekly produce boxes is also a special aspect of what we offer. We also hold Bible studies and support groups that over 150 individuals attend throughout the week.
6. What’s one product or service you offer that people might not know about but should?
One service that people might not be aware of is our Christmas Adopt-A-Family. This is one of our most popular and rewarding programs, ensuring that children in our communities feel Hope and Love during the holidays. Our community steps up in a huge way by adopting children to provide the gifts.
7. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a business owner, and how did you overcome it, if you have?
One of our biggest challenges has been expanding our reach and keeping up with the growing needs of the families we serve. Moving into a new building was a major step in overcoming this challenge, as it allowed us to increase our operating days and offer better service to the community. The continued support from volunteers and local organizations has been critical to meeting these demands. It has been a challenge to receive enough donations—whether financial or food donations—to keep up with the growing number of families visiting our pantry.
8. How does your business give back to the community?
Family Impact Centers is dedicated to giving back through our various programs and by providing essential services like food assistance, school supplies, and holiday baskets. Beyond that, we aim to create a supportive and loving environment for those we serve, promoting a sense of community and hope. Everything we do is to give back to our community and those who are in need.
9. How has the community supported your business over the years?
The community has been incredibly supportive, from donating food and resources to volunteering their time. Local businesses, organizations, and churches have partnered with us for food drives and events like our upcoming Fall Fundraiser Banquet, which helps ensure we can continue providing for families in need.
10. Is there anything else you would like the community to know about your business?
We’d love the community to know that we are here for anyone in need. We also want to remind everyone that their support—whether through donations, volunteering, or attending our events—makes a real difference in the lives of the families we serve. Together, we can continue to impact lives and spread hope to those in our community that are most in need.
Family Impact Centers continues to be a beacon of hope, spreading kindness and providing essential services to those who need it most. Whether it’s through food assistance, back-to-school support, or simply a listening ear, this organization is making a tangible difference in the lives of so many. If you’d like to get involved, whether by donating, volunteering, or attending one of their events, every bit of support goes a long way in helping them continue their incredible work. Together, we can ensure no family in our community goes without the support they need!