DETROIT – Hundreds waited in line at a Metro Detroit food pantry just days before Thanksgiving.
One church group says it knows there’s a growing demand for food assistance, and its volunteers are working to pay it forward.
Some families showed up at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church as early as 4 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 20).
They were waiting in line for food baskets that could stretch through the holiday.
That Thanksgiving food distribution has become an annual tradition for Hartford Memorial, but its volunteers say the need for assistance has been steadily growing year-round.
They were responding with that Go 4 It spirit in mind.
In and around Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, there was a busy scene on Wednesday.
“Well, today is our annual Thanksgiving distribution,” said food pantry director Jimmy Johnson.
Outside, cars were stacked and waiting, and people were also in line early, preparing for their chance to visit the church’s food pantry.
Inside, staff and volunteers were hard at work. Johnson knows helping families make ends meet during the holidays is a priority.
“I’ve been doing this for over 30 years,” Johnson said. “I’m very passionate about it.”
The church and its partners are working to make sure at least 500 families have square meals over Thanksgiving.
They are distributing turkeys, hams, and other essential items.
“We prior pack boxes, fruits, vegetables, snacks, sweets. Healthy foods, along with a few extra goodies,” Johnson said.
In addition to the weekly food pantry, the staff knows this annual Thanksgiving event has become increasingly important to the community.
“Right now, there’s a lot of families facing food insecurity and it’s hard to be happy. It’s hard to be productive,” said Reverend Charles C. Adams of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church.
Organizers say the need and demand for food assistance continue growing since the pandemic.
The group believes they must fill in the gaps for neighbors who might need an extra boost.
“If we can save the community money, you know, with turkeys and all the sides, they can re-allocate that money and do something else with it,” Johnson said.
Members of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church say they plan to distribute meals to around 17,000 people between now and Thanksgiving.
That includes preparing and delivering hundreds of sandwiches this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, and about 600 hot meals to homeless residents across Detroit on Thanksgiving.
