HOUGHTON — With food lines growing across the country, food pantries everywhere need help providing free meals to hungry families. Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula is no exception.

Recently former Calumet resident, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel turned artist, Gary Olds, spearheaded a fund-raising campaign through Facebook to support the Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Community Action Agency Food Pantry.

In return for one of his handmade ceramic coffee mugs, generous contributors from around the country, many with roots in the Copper Country, donated $25 each to support the local food pantry. Olds created 50 clay mugs inscribed with “Fed America 2020” and numbered in sequence. Within a week of publishing details of the fundraiser on Facebook, all 50 mugs were given away, each in exchange for a $25 donation.

When asked what motivated his decision to make mugs and give them away, he pointed to the power of using one’s skills for charitable reasons and team work.

“It’s clear our country is facing one of the biggest challenges of our time,” Olds said. “People through no fault of their own need help and if we’re in a position to provide help we should.”

According to a Representative of the Community Action Agency, the $1,250 donation will be transformed into approximately 15,625 pounds of additional food for needy households within its local service area.

Olds went on to suggest other artists of all mediums consider how they can contribute their time and talent in ways to benefit their local community, especially in these difficult times. “Teamwork and just a little extra effort can make a big difference,” he said. Olds hopes others will be motivated to make similar contributions. For free information about hosting your own fundraiser, contact Gary Olds through his website: www.garyolds.com