Courtesy photo Michigan State Police troopers deliver food to needy families in the Manistique area recently.

MANISTIQUE — The Michigan State Police (MSP) Manistique Outpost, in partnership with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) Diocesan Council of Marquette at their Manistique Food Pantry and Jack’s Fresh Market, has collected over $4,000 worth of non-perishable food for residents of Schoolcraft County.

Recently, 17 families in need were delivered food this holiday season. “It was truly a great day. It was such a joy to see the smiles on the children’s faces today and the relief on the faces of community members when we brought out numerous bags to each family. That’s what the holidays are all about,” said Trooper Shiloh Labutte from the MSP Manistique Outpost.

Thank you to Jack’s Fresh Market and its staff for their pivotal role in making this possible, the support from the community, and the Sault Tribe Police Department and Manistique Public Safety Department for their assistance with the deliveries.

The remaining items that were not delivered will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Manistique.

Trooper Labutte, a key organizer of the Stuff a Blue Goose events in Manistique that collected the food donations, shared what these events meant to her personally.

“This detail is important to me because it is such a great way to interact with the community. Schoolcraft County has a great need for these donations and many families rely on sources like the food pantry and the Feeding America program. My hope with these events is that we could build stronger relationships with the public and help feed families during the holidays this year.”