Latest news with #ForgottenHarvest
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan food banks working to meet needs despite USDA funding freeze
A funding freeze at the United States Department of Agriculture and employee layoffs are being felt by food banks in Michigan. Food banks across Metro Detroit say they're adapting as best they can. Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank help feed thousands of families struggling with food insecurity. Sheila Marshall, COO of Forgotten Harvest, says on any given day, they're working with millions of pounds of food. "Minimum 1.2, max a little over 2 million pounds, but it moves fast because the need is there," said Marshall. Marshall says she sees food banks like Forgotten Harvest as a way for people who are struggling to spend their money on other necessities. "We allow people to be able to do some other things with funds because we provide them with the basic necessities so that the load is not so difficult for them," she said. But local food banks are facing a double whammy of sorts. The USDA is pausing $500 million worth of food deliveries across the country, all while pandemic-era food assistance programs are no longer available. "Unfortunately, we learned this year that we will be 1.4 million pounds less of food to serve our community," said Kristin Sokul, the senior director of advancement communications with Gleaners. If that gap isn't remedied, Sokul says about 25,000 fewer Metro Detroiters will have access to the food they provide. In 2024, food from the USDA accounted for about 27% of Gleaners' supply. "What that means is we have less variety or less volume for each of those households; that's families, children, seniors and veterans who are relying on us to get balanced nutrition," said Sokul. Both Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners say they're determined to get food and distribute it. "We're not resting on our laurels; we have a commitment to this community," said Sokul. "We're tightening our belts with our expenses, so if we didn't have to spend on something this year, we're not, so we can buy that food."
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Forgotten Harvest expands mobile markets to combat hunger in Southeast Michigan
DETROIT (FOX 2) - The rising cost of everyday household items has many people wondering how they can afford necessities like rent and food. Big picture view Meanwhile, Forgotten Harvest is working to fill the void for many families across Southeast Michigan, and the nonprofit says it's expanding so it can reach even more people to wipe out hunger. Chantel Watkins is just one of many Michiganders protesting the recent Great Lakes Water Authority rate hikes. As some find creative ways to stretch their dollars at the market, some Michiganders can't afford to do that. "Just adding more and more prices to the bills while our wages are not increasing, you really gotta figure out what you're going to be buying, what brands of cereal can you afford," she said. The backstory Forgotten Harvest is known for fighting food insecurity, and now the nonprofit is working to expand its reach. "If you don't have to buy this $50 worth of food, then you're able to do other things with that money, so we're proud to stand in that gap and make a difference," said COO Sheila Marshall. "One of the things that we have that's very exciting is that we have a mobile market. It's actually a trailer that was custom built for us." Their mobile movement makes deliveries with items stocked specifically for the neighborhood it serves. "We stock it with foods, and we try to make it as controlled to what the neighbors in that area might want. They're able to make an appointment, come in, they walk on the trailer, and select the things that are important to their family, and that allows them a sense of dignity that you can't really even describe it," she said. The mobile food pantry also erase transportation barriers. "We intend to get two more. That's part of our expansion," she said. What you can do It's just one more step to help erase hunger. If you need assistance or can provide help you can head to the Forgotten Harvest.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Forgotten Harvest is adding more food pantries across metro Detroit. Where to find them
Forgotten Harvest is planning to ramp up its grocery store-style and drive through food distributions across metro Detroit. Since the holidays, the Oak Park-based food rescue organization launched three food distribution sites and will open two more next week. As many as 20 new programs are in the works. The nonprofit is expanding its services to areas where they say the need is highest but where there aren't enough resources for food assistance. "There's a lot of families all across the nation, but particularly here in metro Detroit, that are struggling to make ends meet, and they're making choices between whether to put food on their table or to refill their prescription, or to pay for the copay for their doctor's appointment. We want to take those worries away," said Kelli Kaschimer, director of client services at Forgotten Harvest. There's already demand at the newly launched sites. Forgotten Harvest served 180 households on the day it launched a food distribution site in Washington in Macomb County earlier this month. That same day in Detroit at a new spot, the nonprofit distributed food to 160 families and has increased the amount of food going there because it's a popular location. Kaschimer said there are "pockets of need," and Forgotten Harvest is looking to expand to Romulus and south and western Wayne County along with northern Macomb County. Pantries and nonprofits have reported high levels of need that was only expected to grow in the winter. Forgotten Harvest projected a 15% increase year-over-year, for at least the next three years, in the number of households the organization expects to serve. One in seven people in Michigan face food insecurity, including about 378,000 children, according to 2022 data from the nonprofit Feeding America, a network of food banks and pantries. Need has not subsided since the pandemic, Kaschimer said. In fact, Forgotten Harvest is serving more people now than it did at the height of the health crisis, and "that need not only has not decreased, it continues to climb up," she said. Forgotten Harvest partners with churches, community organizations, schools, shelters and soup kitchens to distribute food. The following locations recently opened as part of the recent expansion: Stoney Church mobile pantry: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays at 11711 26 Mile Road in Washington. Mobile pantries are drive through or walk up distribution sites and do not require an appointment. Jalen Rose Leadership Academy mobile pantry: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at 15000 Trojan Street in Detroit. No appointment is needed. These sites will open next week: ACCESS mobile community choice market: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 2651 Saulino Court in Dearborn. Households must make an appointment by calling 248-268-7756. Lift Up a Child mobile pantry: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Greater St. Paul Baptist Church at 15325 Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. No appointment is needed. For information about resources for food assistance, call 211 or go to Go to and to search for pantries. Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@ Follow her on X: @NushratR. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Forgotten Harvest is launching more food pantries across metro Detroit
