Community Food Depots
Three locations in Southeast Michigan:
Detroit:
Van Elslander Family Center, 3000 Gratiot (near McDougall);
Phone: 313-393-2910
Hours: 9–2 PM, Monday, Wednesday and FridayHazel Park:
1562 E. Evelyn, (west of Dequindre between 8 & 9 Mile Roads)
Phone: 248-547-2816
Hours: 10–1 PM, Monday, Thursday, and Friday
Port Huron
1041 Griswold (at 11th St.)
Phone: 810-987-7886
Hours: 1–4 PM, Monday through Friday
How they were organized!
The Community Food Depots were organized during the recession of 1981 to assist the churches and social service agencies in providing more ample food amounts to people on a more consistent basis. Many churches had only limited amounts of food or could only help once a week or once a month. The Community Food Depots were formed as large emergency food pantries serving a wider group of churches and agencies. The Food Depots have 4-8 freezers or refrigerators to store perishable food donations and vans to pick up more donations from churches, schools, grocery stores and food banks. The Food Depots, thus, were organized to be able to pickup, store and distribute more food, including perishable items, than an individual church pantry could.
How they Operate!
People who are running out of food contact a participating church or social service agency. The church or agency will interview them and complete a referral form that the people take to one of the Community Food Depots. After taking the referral to one of the Food Depots, the people are provided with around 20 pounds of food for each person in the household, which lasts from 3-7 days. Besides canned vegetables, fruit, soups, beef stew, dry pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, tuna fish, rice, dry beans, the Community Food Depots also provide bread, rolls, deserts, frozen meats and fresh fruit and vegetables when in season. Each year the Society’s three Community Food Depots provide more than 10,000 people with over 200,000 pounds of food. The Food Depots provide food for emergencies not monthly supplemental assistance.
How to Donate Food or Money!