Our H.O.M.E. Pantry
Donation protected
As many people know, the Detroit area was hit hard by the Great Recession and the surrounding communities have, as a result, been faced with many unexpected lifestyle changes and hardships. Garden City, a small but proud community in the metro Detroit area, is home to residents that were employed as auto workers for decades. They suddenly found themselves without jobs during the auto industry's collapse in 2008, and the other job opportunities at the time were nonexistent. Many families are still struggling to recover the lifestyles they once knew. In recent years, roughly 66% of the families in the public school district in Garden City have students who receive free or reduced lunches; higher than the state average percentages. Just a few years ago, this number was only 26%.
From 2010 to 2014, the rate of children living in poverty in Garden City has doubled (2010-7.3% to 2014-16.6%). This rate has is unmatched in the neighboring communities. The above trends highlight the fact that the families here, in Garden City, are in need of help.
The Project
The mission of Our H.O.M.E. Pantry is to not only feed our community but to offer them other needed resources, understanding that each individual and family that comes to us for food is unique in their needs. Each person in the household receives 10 lbs. of food, with a 50 lbs. maximum per household. For example, a family of six would receive 50 lbs. of food each month. The pantry falls under the City's Community Resources Department, which also offers pantry clients no cost state benefits application assistance in effort to get them enrolled in health insurance and/or other assistance programs.
It is important to note the rate at which Garden City residents recieve cash assistance and SNAP (food stamp) benefits as also doubled from 2010 to 2014.
Currently, the shelves are stocked by food and monetary donations from the community only. A Gleaner's order is bought weekly with the monetary donations collected. In the past, the yearly Gleaner's orders totaled $16,000 and this is before the current expansion of families served. The pantry is open three mornings a week for 3-4 hours, and is by appointment only.
The Impact
Supporting the residents of Garden City by alleviating concerns about where their next meal will come from will give families the foundation they need to thrive once more. It is a complex foundation, made of many components; one of these being the health and well-being of their children. Children from food insecure households are likely to be behind in their academic development compared to other children which ultimately makes it difficult for them to reach the same level of development as their fellow food secure peers. Children reaching their full academic potential grow into adults who contribute innovative ideas and careers back to their community. Many of the food pantry patrons are hard-working adults and seniors who simply cannot always make ends meet and may be forced to go without food. By easing their food insecurity, they will experience less depression, anxiety and aggression along with reduced risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Better mental and physical health of the adults in our community will lead to a stronger, healthier community.
The Rewards
You may have many different reasons for wanting to support Our H.O.M.E. Pantry in Garden City. You may have grown up in Garden City and feel passionate about supporting your neighbors that are in desperate need of a boost. You may live in the metro Detroit area and understand the challenges that southeast Michigan has seen as a result of the Great Recession and want to support a community that are still having a hard time getting back on it's feet. Whatever your reason may be, knowing that at this time and place in history you contributed to eliminating hunger for southeast Michiganders in desperate need of food will be a great compensation for the time and donation you spend here today. Every dollar donated will go directly to buying food for the pantry.
From 2010 to 2014, the rate of children living in poverty in Garden City has doubled (2010-7.3% to 2014-16.6%). This rate has is unmatched in the neighboring communities. The above trends highlight the fact that the families here, in Garden City, are in need of help.
The Project
The mission of Our H.O.M.E. Pantry is to not only feed our community but to offer them other needed resources, understanding that each individual and family that comes to us for food is unique in their needs. Each person in the household receives 10 lbs. of food, with a 50 lbs. maximum per household. For example, a family of six would receive 50 lbs. of food each month. The pantry falls under the City's Community Resources Department, which also offers pantry clients no cost state benefits application assistance in effort to get them enrolled in health insurance and/or other assistance programs.
It is important to note the rate at which Garden City residents recieve cash assistance and SNAP (food stamp) benefits as also doubled from 2010 to 2014.
Currently, the shelves are stocked by food and monetary donations from the community only. A Gleaner's order is bought weekly with the monetary donations collected. In the past, the yearly Gleaner's orders totaled $16,000 and this is before the current expansion of families served. The pantry is open three mornings a week for 3-4 hours, and is by appointment only.
The Impact
Supporting the residents of Garden City by alleviating concerns about where their next meal will come from will give families the foundation they need to thrive once more. It is a complex foundation, made of many components; one of these being the health and well-being of their children. Children from food insecure households are likely to be behind in their academic development compared to other children which ultimately makes it difficult for them to reach the same level of development as their fellow food secure peers. Children reaching their full academic potential grow into adults who contribute innovative ideas and careers back to their community. Many of the food pantry patrons are hard-working adults and seniors who simply cannot always make ends meet and may be forced to go without food. By easing their food insecurity, they will experience less depression, anxiety and aggression along with reduced risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Better mental and physical health of the adults in our community will lead to a stronger, healthier community.
The Rewards
You may have many different reasons for wanting to support Our H.O.M.E. Pantry in Garden City. You may have grown up in Garden City and feel passionate about supporting your neighbors that are in desperate need of a boost. You may live in the metro Detroit area and understand the challenges that southeast Michigan has seen as a result of the Great Recession and want to support a community that are still having a hard time getting back on it's feet. Whatever your reason may be, knowing that at this time and place in history you contributed to eliminating hunger for southeast Michiganders in desperate need of food will be a great compensation for the time and donation you spend here today. Every dollar donated will go directly to buying food for the pantry.
Organizer
Megan Sheeran
Organizer
Garden City, MI
