Local Food Pantries Available to Fill Needs in a Time of Crisis

Times of crisis and shortages come and go throughout history. It is in those times that hope shines in the form of caring people who reach out to their communities, providing resources and inspiration. As a service to our readers, the Telegram is providing contact information to some of those who are sharing their resources at this most difficult time we all find ourselves in.

In Garden City, the First United Methodist Church is operating its food pantry on Mondays and Wednesdays each week from 9:30 am. to 12:30 pm. Pantry coordinator Kayrl Waters says the food pantry is open to anyone, not only residents of Garden City. Pantry clients must provide a name and address but the church does not require any other documentation regarding economic status. "It's on your honor, and if you need us, we're here to try and help," says Waters. Clients can partake once a month and receive two bags, one with household/personal items and one with food products. The church anticipated a huge response to their food pantry but such a response has not materialized. "The amazing part of this whole thing is it's actually the opposite," says Waters. "We were prepared; we overstocked, trying desperately to be ready, assuming we would be getting a lot more." She attributes it to the Stay at Home order put in place by Governor Whitmer. First United Methodist Church is located at 6443 Merriman Road in Garden City. Waters adds that although the church looks empty, the food pantry is open two days and clients should go to the back door of the church. For more information, call 734-421-8628 or visit

http://www.firstunitedmethodistc.org.

Also in Garden City, Our HOME Pantry remains in operation at the Maplewood Community Center located at 31735 Maplewood. Pantry clients, usually only Garden City residents, can partake of the pantry once monthly, but the pantry offers emergency food bags to anyone in need during this pandemic crisis. Emergency food is distributed Tuesday through Friday from 9 am. To 1 pm. For more information call 734-793-1857 or check the website at http://www.gardencitymi.org/248/Our-HOME-Pantry.

In Inkster, Operation Refuge is operating Mother's Pantry, a client-choice food pantry which allows clients to select their own food. Mother's Pantry relies on contributions from individuals, organizations, and local businesses. An initial client interview is requested and pantry hours are Wednesday from 10 am. to 12:30 pm. and Thursday from 10 am. to 12 pm and, beginning at 5:30 on Thursdays, the pantry serves essential workers until 6:30 pm. No appointment is necessary for essential workers, but you will need a work ID badge. The pantry is also meeting emergency food needs during the pandemic crisis. Mother's Pantry is located at 27717 Carlysle St., north of Annapolis and west of Inkster Road. For more information please call 313-551-4043 or go to http://www.operationrefuge.org/mothers-pantry/

In Detroit, the Brightmoor Connection Food Pantry is currently assisting families outside of the Brightmoor neighborhood during the pandemic crisis. Originally established in 2008, the organization feeds more than 1700 households each year, providing roughly 50 to 70 pounds of food per family per month. "We do food, we're a client-choice model, so people come in and they shop off the grocery shelves...they have choices they can make," says Executive Director Rev. Roslyn Bouier. The non-profit organization is volunteer-driven and receives funding from the Fisher Foundation and support from Gleaners of Southeast Michigan. The organization also does advocacy work for housing issues, early childhood development, and water shutoffs, to name a few. "So it's not just food, we do the hard lifting," says Bouier. An initial interview appointment is necessary and clients can partake once a month on Monday from 3 to 7 pm., and Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 am. to 2 pm. Please call 313-740-7688 to set up an appointment or for more information go to http://www.brightmoorconnection.org. The Brightmoor Connection Food Pantry is located at 16621 Lahser, just south of McNichols, in Detroit.

Wayne Metro Community Action Agency has launched Wayne Metro Cares, a relief and recovery service to address immediate needs of Wayne County residents. Through this new initiative, residents may qualify for assistance with food insecurity, water and utility bills, property taxes, rent and mortgage payments, emergency plumbing repair, and funeral assistance. Applicants must meet requirements, which include income guidelines, job loss, and proof of benefits received through MDHHS, to name a few. For more information please visit http://www.waynemetro.org/CARES or call the Wayne Mero Connect Center at

313-388-9799.

As a final note, these organizations and food pantries rely on the surrounding communities to support them. If you are able to make a donation, no matter how small, please consider doing so and contact the organization directly. Remember, we're all in this together.