With the swift onset of COVID-19 throughout the Metro Detroit area, experts continue to warn that this will affect every aspect of our lives. And with schools now officially on hiatus until April 6, along with companies choosing to work remotely – our normalcy is already getting turned upside down. While this can be a true inconvenience to all, for some, this is going to force them to make some extreme and hard decisions.
Throughout the Metro Detroit area, more than 300,000 children rely on schools to provide them with the free or reduced lunches – which means that they are at a greater risk of going hungry during this time off from school.
And with the increased risk of parents being laid off or unable to provide childcare, these next three weeks (or more) are going to have a severe impact on our entire community…from health, to hungriness.
In a time of social distancing, it may be hard to donate anything in person, but these outlets are making it easy for all of us to support by donating money to their efforts of providing food and financial security to those in need.
WHERE TO DONATE
COVID-19 Community Response Fund:
With your support, the United Way of Southeast Michigan and their partners will be best able to offer emergency relief to families and individuals in need, such as: Families and individuals facing loss of income due to business and school closures; Children lacking access to school meals ; Individuals without health insurance, sick days or family medical leave; People experiencing homelessness and who do not have the resources they need to stay safe. Seniors and home-bound individuals.
Gleaners exists to provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food, and related resources.Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners operates five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties and provides food to 528 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and other agencies throughout southeast Michigan. Every dollar donated provides three meals and 93 cents of every donated dollar goes to food and food programs.
The impact of COVID-19 will increase the need for food in metro Detroit to assist many children, families, and seniors in the coming weeks. Forgotten Harvest is operating to provide healthy, nutritious food to our neighbors in need by working with nonprofit, government, and community leaders to deliver food in the most effective and safest way possible given these unprecedented events.
Focus: HOPE
In partnership with federal and state agencies, Focus: HOPE provides 41,000 low income seniors with monthly food packages to help them meet basic needs. They have 3 distribution centers – 2 in Detroit and 1 in Inkster.
If you or someone you know is in need of food, here are some additional resources for assistance:
Photo credit: Gleaners
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About Kerry Doman
Kerry Doman is the founder and CEO of LittleGuide Detroit and After 5 Detroit. She has lived downtown Detroit for 10+ years and still calls the city home with her husband and son. As a relatively new mom, she’s excited to explore downtown with her family and hopes you’ll enjoy doing the same!
