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Faith In Action Food Pantry – Chelsea & Dexter, Michigan

Faith In Action Food Pantry – Chelsea & Dexter, Michigan

Consistent grocery access for western Washtenaw County families

Every week, volunteers and staff open the pantry across multiple weekday distribution windows, serving at least 150 unique households each month in the Chelsea and Dexter area. At the Chelsea location, the pantry operates Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., providing consistent, appointment-based grocery access for families throughout western Washtenaw County.

Operations & Community Fit

Faith In Action serves residents primarily within the Chelsea and Dexter school districts, including surrounding rural communities where access to large grocery retailers and public transportation can be limited. By maintaining regular weekday hours and structured intake procedures, the pantry provides predictable support rather than one-time emergency distribution.

Households receive groceries designed to supplement their monthly food supply. In addition to food assistance, the organization connects clients with supportive services such as SNAP application guidance and other stabilization resources. This broader approach recognizes that food insecurity is often tied to income volatility, housing costs, medical expenses, or temporary job disruption.

In smaller towns and rural townships, financial strain is not always visible, but it is real. Faith In Action’s steady operating schedule ensures families have a dependable place to turn when grocery budgets are stretched.

The Role of Venison in Strengthening Pantry Support

Protein remains one of the most difficult and expensive categories for food pantries to secure. Shelf-stable donations are common, but fresh and frozen protein requires dedicated funding and infrastructure.

Through Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger (MSAH), donated deer are processed by licensed Michigan meat processors into packaged, frozen ground venison. That venison is then delivered to partner organizations such as Faith In Action. Because the meat arrives professionally processed and freezer-ready, it can move efficiently from storage to families without increasing the pantry’s operational burden.

For households, venison provides a lean, locally sourced protein option that can be used in familiar meals such as tacos, pasta dishes, soups, and casseroles. For the pantry, it strengthens nutritional balance while leveraging Michigan’s hunting community to meet local need.

Partner Information

Organization Name: Faith In Action (Chelsea/Dexter)
Chelsea Location: 603 S. Main Street, Chelsea, MI 48118
Dexter Location: 7651 Dan Hoey Road, Dexter, MI 48130
Phone (Chelsea): 734-475-3305
Phone (Dexter): 734-426-7002
Website: https://faithinaction1.org/

Chelsea Pantry Hours (subject to seasonal adjustment):
Monday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

(Dexter pantry hours are published on the organization’s website and may vary seasonally.)

Statewide Context

Food insecurity affects communities across Michigan, including suburban and rural counties. Since 1991, Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger has worked with hunters, processors, and food distribution partners statewide to ensure that donated venison is professionally processed and delivered to local food pantries. Over the past three decades, this network has provided millions of pounds of lean protein to Michigan families.

Faith In Action represents the final step in that process — translating donated venison into consistent, local food support for families in western Washtenaw County.

Closing

Community food distribution depends on dependable local organizations. Through steady weekday hours, structured operations, and partnerships that strengthen protein access, Faith In Action continues to provide reliable support for families in Chelsea, Dexter, and the surrounding communities.