The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has given several thousand pounds of food to area food banks. Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel donated more than 7,000 pounds of food through the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians food pantries for distribution to residents in need.

Johnny Barrientoz, general manager of Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, says the casino had nine pallets of fresh food on hand for its three restaurants, and with their closure, it decided to donate the fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, herbs, milk, juice, and meat. “We appreciate the extra support of our staff to help assist our community members during these uncertain times in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Charlevoix, Antrim, and Manistee counties,” he says.
 
Its other properties, Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, have also coordinated and delivered food donations to GTB food pantries and Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan. The band also provided 1,000 lanyards for facemasks to be used at Munson Healthcare in Roscommon and Grayling Community Health Centers, and 350 decks of cards to Grayling Elementary School for at-home STEM student learning kits. “We are all facing unprecedented circumstances, and we are doing what we can to help make a positive impact for all of us here in Northwest Michigan,” says Michael Schrader, CEO of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos.