For several years, Feast of Victory operated a food pantry out of an unfinished elevator shaft; basically, a glorified closet. Amazed at how many people came for food on a regular basis, a vision was born: to create an ecumenical, community, non-profit food pantry. That vision came to fruition when Acme Christian Thrift Store and Food Pantry (ACTS) was formed (see note 1. below) on May 7, 2002, to fill a critical need among the working poor, single mothers, transient and other disadvantaged people who live in Antrim, Kalkaska and Grand Traverse counties by providing thrift store donated items at reasonable prices and by operating a food pantry. ACTS began operating in June of 2003.
Guidelines for Assistance from A.C.T.S. Pantry: To qualify for food pantry assistance, the client family must meet Federal Poverty Guidelines as published annually. The guidelines can be found by searching the Internet (CMCS/CAHPG/DEEO). ACTS Pantry uses 200% of poverty as a qualifier. Eligibility is based on the financial situation of ALL members in a household. Everyone who lives together and purchases and prepares food together is considered a member of the same household. Verification of income and information regarding housing arrangements and bridge card status is also considered. Those that qualify can receive food at no charge from ACTS Food Pantry, to the extent that we have adequate supply available.
Acme Christian Thrift Store & Food Pantry, also known as “ACTS Food Pantry,” and “ACTS Thrift Store,” was incorporated as a Michigan non-profit corporation on May 7, 2002 to fill a critical need among the working poor, single parents, transient and other disadvantaged people who live in Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska counties by providing thrift store donated merchandise at reasonable prices and by operating a food pantry. ACTS has been staffed by mostly volunteers, including about 60 to 90 volunteers. Assistance to the poor, hungry, and homeless is given as it is possible.
ACTS is a Multi-Denomination, Multi-Agency, Christian Nonprofit Organization, which operates from a store front in the Acme-Williamsburg, Michigan area. The store front opened in June, 2003 at 5700 U.S. 31 N, Acme, MI. As of July 1, 2004, store operations were moved to 5782 U.S. 31 N, Acme, MI. As of October 1, 2012 the store moved to 8925 M-72 E, Williamsburg, MI 49690
In-kind food pantry expense has been estimated at a market value of $35 per grocery bag, estimated to be about 20 pounds. The average family has from three to five individuals in the family, and about 50 percent are single parent families. Each family receives about 100 pounds of food, which is an estimated 5 to 7 day supply. Note: Recently reevaluated to update the actual amounts given to an average family of 3-5 individuals.
Food is donated from a variety of sources but there is never enough to fulfill the need. Financial gifts from individuals, churches and other organizations are always needed as are those who can volunteer their time at ACTS.
Please click on the link below for an analysis of those who have used the Food Pantry services over the past three years:
2023-12-31 ACTS Food Pantry Statistics
Please click on the link below for detailed information of number of families fed and the estimated pounds and value of food delivered:
2023-12-31 ACTS Food Pantry Graph
A brief history of the growth of ACTS:
- June, 2003 – Opened first thrift store at 5700 US 31 N, Acme, MI, using about 2,000 sq. feet of a rented 4,000 sq. foot building.
- June, 2004 – Moved to another location at 5782 US 31 N, Acme, MI, to a rented building with 1,950 sq. feet.
- October, 2012 – Moved to a purchased building at 8925 M-72 E, Williamsburg, MI. Building had 6,960 sq. feet total space.
- May, 2018 to October, 2018. Significant construction in progress while 1,800 sq. feet building addition under construction.
- October, 2018 – Grand opening for enclosed courtyard, thereby adding 1,800 sq. feet to retail space. Total building now has 8,760 sq. feet.
Note: Acme Christian Thrift Store and Food Pantry is a Michigan non-profit corporation, which is exempt from income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable organization that is not a private foundation.