About Matchan

Matchan Nutrition Center is a catholic organization and a USDA-approved nutrition center affiliated with St. Vincent de Paul and located in downtown Pontiac.

Our mission is to assist and feed the hungry in our community by:

  • Serving hot, well-balanced meals free of charge to those in need

  • Providing free groceries to those in need in the Matchan Marketplace

  • Connecting those in need with resources, materials, and assistance

We operate our our services from our new location at All Saints’ Episcopal Church at 171 W Pike St., Pontiac, MI.

Our History

Volunteer giving food away to person in need

In 1982, General Motors closed the Pontiac Assembly Plant, which led to a “No Rush Hour” phenomenon in the city. This closure also made Pontiac the second most depressed area in the country at that time.

Help was needed in the community.

Three St. Vincent de Paul volunteers, led by current Board Member Frank Schmid, opened the Nutrition Center on May 15, 1984, serving the first of 750,000 meals to-date.

Archival Photo of Robert D. Matchan

One of the earliest volunteers was Robert D. Matchan, an office supply salesmen who made his own hours to ensure that he could come into the kitchen to serve the community he loved.

After he passed away in 1986, the Board renamed the center the “Robert D. Matchan Nutrition Center.” Robert also left his entire estate to Saint Vincent De Paul’s Oakland County branch to assist senior citizens living in the area.

Photo of Co-Founder Frank Schmid

In 2022, Matchan changed locations. During this transition, Board Member Frank Schmid kept the focus on Matchan’s mission, saying, “Is there still a need? Then let’s serve that need!”

In October 2022, Matchan Nutrition Center resumed service for its 38th year at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, located at 171 Pike Street, Pontiac, MI.

Since 1984, Matchan Nutrition Center has provided over 750,000 meals and over 1.6 million pounds of groceries to the needy in Pontiac.

To find out more about our history, click here.

How we help

Matchan prides itself in giving back to the community in the ways that matter most, learn how we help by clicking below!

Meet our Board of Directors

Our board members and volunteers work together in dedication to the principles of St. Vincent de Paul: to serve those in need with dignity and love.

  • Tim Schuele

    Tim Schuele

    Board Chairman

  • Robin Wilkinson

    Robin Wilkinson

    Board Vice-Chairman

  • Patricia McLaughlin

    Patricia McLaughlin

    Treasurer

  • Mary Kay Biziorek

    Mary Kay Biziorek

    Recording Secretary

  • Betty Esnault

    Betty Esnault

    Corresponding Secretary

  • Frank Schmid

    Frank Schmid

    Co-Founder & Board Member

  • Terry Eurick

    Terry Eurick

    Board Member

  • Christine Devine

    Christine Devine

    Board Member

  • Gary Fiscus

    Gary Fiscus

    Board Member

  • Mike MacLean

    Mike MacLean

    Board Member

Support the Mission

Your donation has a huge impact on the hungry in Pontiac. You can help provide food and essential items for those in need—at no cost to them.

Mother and child at food line

Matchan Nutrition Center is affiliated with St. Vincent de Paul Detroit, a Catholic organization that offers home visits, rent and utility assistance, education and mentorship, and other resources. For more information, visit https://svdpdetroit.org/.

St. Vincent de Paul welcomes all neighbors in need, regardless of faith, without judgment.

*The address of Matchan Nutrition Center is now All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 171 W Pike St. Pontiac, MI, 48341

Saint Vincent de Paul Logo

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