New Boyne City food pantry finds home at Boyne Area Free Clinic

The Boyne Area Free Clinic is the home for the new Good Neighbors Food Pantry. The pantry is refurbishing an area on the west side of the clinic’s building at 624 State Street in Boyne City, and will open its doors in the near future. Both organizations share the goal of helping people in need.

   “We have available space in our building,” said Free Clinic board president Deonna Crouterfield. “And the pantry needs a home, so it makes perfect sense. We support anything that helps the community.”

   Boyne Area Free Clinic is an independent nonprofit community organization committed to providing basic medical care to those who do not otherwise have access to such services. Its mission is to provide health care, with respect and dignity, to under-served Charlevoix County residents, with the help of qualified medical volunteers and staff.

   The Good Neighbors Food Pantry of Boyne City recently formed to help improve access to healthy foods for families in need. Before opening its doors, the pantry will be busy preparing its new space at the Free Clinic.

   According to Susan Conklin, the work involves things like painting and installing or building shelving. Community involvement is sought for these improvements, as well as volunteers to help with the pantry operations.

   For more information about Good Neighbors Food Pantry or to volunteer, email goodneighborsboyne@gmail.com, or visit the Volunteer Connections page at CharEm United Way (charemunitedway.com). Donations may be sent to Good Neighbors Food Pantry, PO Box 35, Boyne City, MI 49712.

   The Free Clinic, which formed in 2007, is open every Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local physician Richard Mansfield, DO, serves as medical director. The Clinic is staffed by volunteers and provides services for acute non-emergent conditions and primary care services to those individuals that fall into the no-income or low income, no insurance or under insured category.

   The Free Clinic has recently refurbished other areas of their building in order to offer dental and vision screenings. Jennifer Larson, DDS, will be performing basic dental screenings, as well as recommending further treatment as necessary through referrals. Other dental professionals are welcome to join the effort in providing screenings.

   The Clinic is still seeking a professional to provide vision screenings.

   In addition to vision and dental professionals, the clinic is seeking other medical professionals to provide services. They also have openings on the board of directors, and can always use volunteers in a variety of capacities. Donations are also welcome.

   For more information, contact the Free Clinic at (231) 582-4605.

   A benefit for the Free Clinic will be held the Eagles Lodge in the fall. Watch for details later this summer.