Driving Successful Helps White Lake Presbyterian Church by Donating Signs for the Newly-formed Food for Friends Food Pantry

Debbie Lennis, the pastor of White Lake Presbyterian Church had a dream to establish a new food pantry to provide free food to those in need in the community.

With the aid of her husband, R.J., parish member Bob McDonald and a slew of volunteers, the work began towards making that dream a reality. More work still needs to be done to get to the pantry's grand opening target date during Lent, but the community is definitely chipping in. “As a part of this community, Driving Successful Lives wanted to be involved in this extremely important effort,” said Mark Maupin of Driving Successful Lives. “The mission of Food for Friends is vital at a time of rising costs for not only food, but housing and transportation as well. We all look forward to better times, but right now, folks need help.”

The church, located at 4805 Highland Road in White Lake, is a long-standing community fixture. Established in 1835, “it’s the oldest continuous congregation in Oakland County west of Pontiac,” Lennis said. Adding, “The good part is that I know everybody [in the community], I know this church and they know me,” she said, which meant she knew church members would be enthused about this project. “This is a whole team of people who are super excited about it. This congregation is very excited to put our mission love into something right in our backyard.”

Lennis said the school community of Oxbow is not only willing to partner with the church food pantry, but already has conducted a cereal drive, donating 850 boxes.

The food pantry will be financed through grants and donations from partners such as Driving Successful Lives.

If you want to donate money, food or your time to the Food for Friends food pantry, send an email to Debbie Lennis at wlpc1835@gmail.com.