CASS COUNTY, Mich.-- County employees are giving back and showing gratitude this Thanksgiving season by helping restock local food pantries.

An employee-led food drive was launched earlier this month by Cass County Administrator, Jennifer Rentfrow, in response to the lapse in SNAP benefits in the community after the Federal Government shutdown.

Pantry sites in the county were established at the Cass County Administration Building, Sheriff's Officer, Law & Courts, and Medical Care Facility-- allowing county staff across numerous departments to contribute where they can.

“I am so incredibly proud of the amount of food our team collected,” Rentfrow said. “It speaks volumes about who our employees are at their core, people who genuinely care about the residents we serve.”

Though SNAP benefits are being distributed again, the lapse in funds has put a continued strain on local food pantries; Cass County employees hope that their efforts and donations can help support local families as the holiday season approaches.

Other community members who wish to participate can donate to one of these Cass County food pantries:

• First Church of God Compassion Cupboard
• Helping Hands of Cass County
• St. Paul's Lutheran Church
• ACTION Ministries
• Saint Francis Food Pantry
• Edwardsburg Food Pantry
• Marcellus Community Food Pantry
• Salvation Army Food Pantry
• Vandalia Church of God