Metro Detroit food pantries struggle as demand rises before the holidays

They are here to help, but as the cost of living rises and assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs has decreased, food pantries throughout Metro Detroit are discovering that their need to assist an increasing number of people grows daily.

FOX 2, Ann Arbor, Mich.Food pantries in Metro Detroit are working to feed more people. They’re not alone, either.

In Ann Arbor, where one pantry is halting services, the situation is the same.

Food pantries in Metro Detroit are here to help, but as the cost of living rises and assistance via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs is cut, they are finding that they are helping an increasing number of individuals every day.

“We’re seeing the distribution go up as high as 35%, so that is month over month,” Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest, stated.

The need is also growing if you drive to Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County.

“There is a great need in our community,” stated Markell Miller, the director of emergency food programs. “We’re on track to surpass last year, which set a record, and have our biggest year ever. Thus, we distributed around 10 million pounds of food last year.

The VA Healthcare System in Ann Arbor is distributing its last supply of food on Thursday, which coincides with this rise in need.

The VA announced earlier this week on social media that it would temporarily suspend its food pantry program after December 19.

“Of course, we are concerned about pantries shutting down,” Miller stated. “We are grateful to have a very comprehensive network of programs here in Wastenaw County.”

However, these food delivery networks claim they require more assistance due to the rise in demand.

“We need more volunteers, of course, we need more funding to be able to keep up with this demand,” Lewis stated.

Food pantries make it apparent that they are available to assist, regardless of the number of people they must serve, as food poverty rises.

“I would like for anyone that’s viewing that may be in need of of our service, regardless we want to know we want to be there for them,” Lewis said.

“Do you think there will ever be a time when you have to pull back what you re providing to the food pantries in the area?” asked Ingrid Kelley of FOX 2.

“We hope not we re very grateful for our community support and being able to leverage state and federal food sources that complement that donated food,” Miller stated.

You can and to find out how you can help these food banks.

Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!