MARQUETTE — The Menards home improvement store in Marquette Township is pitching in to help support local food pantries.

Now until the end of July, store patrons can drop off non-perishable food items at special drop-off points near the store’s exits, said Daniel Staley, the store general manager.

The food can either be purchased at the Menards store or purchased elsewhere, he said.

“We’re working to help local charities,” Staley said. “Any kind of non-perishable food is fine.”

The charity/food pantry that will benefit from the Menards program this summer is Hope Free Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. The Menards store is located at 3445 U.S. 41 while the church is located at 795 N. Lake Drive, Ishpeming.

Hope Free Lutheran Church pantry provides a mix of choice and pre-bagged items. The pantry is open the third Monday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. To contact the location, call 906-485-5714 or email secretary@hopefreelutheran.org.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.