DETROIT – Focus: Hope has unveiled a new facility on Detroit’s west side that resembles a grocery store rather than a food bank.
Its west side food center was drive-through only until Wednesday (June 5), when it reopened and was totally remodeled.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, senior shoppers were moved to drive-through services. However, they are welcomed back to the food center to shop for their monthly supplemental commodities.
The event, located in the 1300 block of Oakman Blvd., featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and in-store activities to reconnect with loyal food participants, volunteers, and community partners.
Additionally, it introduced the brand-new remodeled space to the community and senior participants.
The food center will also function as a resource space for seniors, offering services such as financial literacy assistance with PNC Bank, health units, and more.
“When I came in here today, I got really emotional because this place did not look like this when I was down here helping with the baskets, and what have you,” said a woman. “This is fantastic.”
For years, the Westside Food Center on Oakman Boulevard has been a shell of its former self, reduced to only drive-through services, but now it is finally fully reopening.
“A lot of work, a lot of planning went into this,” said a man. “How best can we serve the needs of participants.”
What some call crucial to helping low-income seniors is back. On Wednesday (June 5), it’s a celebration for the people who prayed this day would come around, but it’s totally different this time.
“We knew this day was coming when we were going to come back inside,” said the man.
But this time, it’s different. The facility’s changes seem to be well received by the people who used to shop here on a routine basis.
“It gives you pride to come here,” the woman said. “Before, the ceilings were leaking on the floors, it wasn’t all that bright in here. But they really have made this a place where you would be proud to come get your food from.”
But perhaps the biggest kick is knowing that so many people will be able to benefit from the Focus: Hope Westside Food Center again.
“It’s a nice opportunity to deal at that level with the people of Detroit who so often get overlooked,” said another woman.
The food center will also be a place where seniors can learn how to be financially stable with the help of PNC Bank.
