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MUNISING -- Many families are in the U.P. are struggling financially in recent months. In Munising, government cuts threatened one program that fed hundreds of community members in need. But local residents have stepped up and are working hard to keep the program going.

For 17 years strong, the Alger County food pantry was able to provide for hundreds of families each year; about 175 in 2011 alone.

But, a $12,000 cut to the the Emergency Services Fund is threatening the future of the program.

"Emergency Services Funds basically are being focused more on homelessness and preventing homelessness, that's really good cause," said Community Resource Coordinator John Sherman-Jones.

However, that puts the local community in a bind, there's only one other food bank in town, and it's already running at its maximum potential.

"Seventeen years we were here, part of the communities support system," said Sherman-Jones. "To have that disappear when the numbers are growing each year, especially with the economy, we just felt there will be a lot of hungry people."

Currently the pantry serves about 40 families a month, to stay at that level they needed the community's help.

Local churches and community organizations pulled together, organizing a network of volunteers who would take over the obligations of the shelter, making sure the hungry were never without food.

"There's a lot of hungry people in our community, we can't let a food pantry close," said one of the new managers, Kim Swanberg. "Everyone in the community has to step up."

The pantry is now called the "Alger Community Food Pantry," the community will run it for a six-month trial period. They say they're confident they can make it work, and hope to raise even more resources than before.

"This is a very giving community," said new pantry manager Ruth Ann Pokela. "I'm sure we'll have success for years to come."

For more information about the pantry, click here.