Marshall County Neighborhood Center

As a part of its many services, the Marshall County Neighborhood Center offers a client choice food pantry in the style of a self-serve grocery.  Clients are able to utilize this service once per month, but we are seeking to increase this participation to twice a month later this year.  As an incentive to help MCNC better serve our clients and take care of our neighborhood, an additional canned good is offered to anyone who "goes green" by bringing in their own bags for use in the pantry.

MCNC also offers clients the opportunity to pick up bread that arrives from local grocers on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. Access to these items are limited to two per household per visit.



Food Pantry Hours:
Monday        1 p.m. -  3 p.m.
Wednesday  5:00 p.m. - 7:00pm
Friday          9:00 a.m. - 11:00 aa.m.

*No appointment necessary to use these services

MCNC is proud to say that due to collaborative partnerships with NIPSCO, Real Service's Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and Care and Share of Marshall County, all four energy assistance programs for Marshall County are located in the MCNC building.

These programs require differing levels of client participation varying from provision of paperwork to learning about proper money management and are determined by program regulations and employee recomendations. All of these programs require an appointment.

Clients of the Marshall County Neighborhood Center also have access to our free clothing boutique. Each household is able to shop twice a month and are given one Wal-Mart sized bag to fill for each one of their family members.  If clients are unable to find clothing to meet their needs (for example, a properly sized coat) during their two visits, we will allow shopping for that item in addition to the other two visits. Also, if clients shop and do not find anything they wish to take, that visit will not count against them.

Clothing Boutique Hours:
Tuesday        9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday   9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday       1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Each year, MCNC provides a free Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey and trimmings to 250 - 300 Marshall County families in need.

New in 2010, MCNC collected new and used Halloween costumes to distribute to low-income children in our community. Over 80 costumes were given out the week of Halloween and children were able to return to our partnership Halloween party (Plymouth Parks Department and Boys and Girls Club) suited up for this "spooktacular" holiday.

Our Christmas programs are focused on serving households at or below 150% of the poverty level.  For example, a family of four making approximately 33,075 dollars per year would qualify for a Christmas food/gift basket.  However, we understand that special circumstances apply and are open to receiving families who have a demonstrable need. All people who apply are required to fill out the appropriate paperwork and undergo a brief interview in order to ensure that clients who are most in need are receiving aid.  

Beginning in 2010, MCNC led the way in a community collaboration that brought together MCNC, Leadership Marshall County, Plymouth Community Schools, Boys and Girls Club, and several other key programs to effectively reduce/eliminate duplication of services during the Christmas season. Due to this partnership, 514 local families were helped with food, need based items, and gifts this holiday season. Nobody was turned away.

Every year, MCNC partners with Notre Dame and St. Mary's accounting departments to offer free tax preperation services.  This program is targeted to help those who have an income level of 39,000 dollars or less per year in the completion of both their state and federal income tax form. There is absolutely no cost associated with this service.  The only responsibilities of the client are securing an appointment, bringing all relevant tax information and mailing their forms upon completion.