Focus HOPE Supporting Seniors Facing Food Insecurity

In 1971, Focus: HOPE beganproviding supplemental food for pregnant and post-partum mothers, infants and children up to age six, through its participation in the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program. In 1982, the organization turned its attention to low-income senior citizens in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties. Focus: HOPE's Food for Seniors Program operates three food distribution locations, two in Detroit and one in Inkster. Russell Estill, Assistant Manager of Focus: HOPE's Commodity Supplemental Food Program, says on an average week, the Inkster Food Distribution Center serves more than 500 seniors. Boxes of non-perishable food are distributed monthly in partnership with federal and state agencies. "We feed seniors; that is our customer base, 60 years and older and up to 130 percent below the federal poverty guideline," says Estill.

Estill says the Inkster Distribution Center, which opened in the late 1970s, is a lifeline for many low-income senior citizens who often must decide between necessities such as utility bill payments or prescriptions, or paying for groceries. "We're addressing low-income senior issues and because of that, we not only serve Inkster, but many downriver communities," he says. "Unfortunately, because even though we are a supplementary food program, in many cases, this is the only food that the senior is receiving."

In all, Focus: HOPE feeds more than 40,000 seniors throughout the four county service area each month from its three food distribution centers. Estill credits Focus: HOPE CEO Portia L. Roberson with keeping the organization on track and enhancing its programs to serve the community. Food comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and donations. Focus: HOPE also partners with businesses, senior residence buildings, and other agencies to promote food access. "Groups like Ford Motor Company will adopt a building, come to the Inkster Center, for example, and if there's 50 boxes that need to go to a certain senior building, they will take the boxes over to that building. We partner with a lot of organizations to do that," says Estill. "Food insecurity has no political affiliation; we've had tremendous support from all different groups because they share that understanding." He adds that during the COVID-19 pandemic, churches stepped up to serve as much-needed distribution locations. The organization also operates a Homebound Program to assist those with no transportation. Volunteers deliver food boxes to those unable to get out to one of the distribution centers.

If you are a low-income senior or know of one and would like to know more about the Food for Seniors Program, you can call 313-494-4600 to find out more. You can also apply for the program in person at one of the three food distribution locations. In Inkster, the distribution center is at 759 Inkster Road; the Westside distribution center is at 1300 Oakman Blvd. in Detroit; the Eastside distribution center is at 9151 Chalmers in Detroit. You will need to provide proof of age (state ID card or driver's license), the number of people in the household, and household income. To find out more about the Homebound Program, call 313-494-4980.

Estill says volunteers are always needed to pack food boxes and deliver from one of the food distribution centers. In addition, there are a number of employment opportunities with Focus: HOPE posted on its website at http://www.focushope.edu. In Inkster, a clerk and a distribution technician are needed. Donations of non-perishable food items are always welcome.

We would like the community to know that this is a need that we need to keep pursuing," says Estill.

"Everyone has a right to food as a basic human right and that's what our organization stands for."