DETROIT – A long line of cars indicated that many families are in need. The line was for a food distribution event held on Wednesday (June 18) on Detroit‘s west side, one of many events organized by Forgotten Harvest.
Local 4 saw how hard it’s gotten for families to make ends meet.
Each day, with the help of volunteers, Forgotten Harvest distributes around 120,000 pounds of food to the community.
From what was observed, the food goes quickly.
Kelli Kashchimer, a representative from Forgotten Harvest, shared insights about the ongoing demand.
Demarcus Wingate, a volunteer, and Krystal Ballinger, a customer, also contributed to the conversation.
“When I started, I began at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had assumed that would be it, but our numbers and lines have only increased since then,” said Kashchimer.
Dozens of cars lined up outside the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy for a food distribution event organized by Forgotten Harvest.
“Today, we have milk, boxes of dry goods, shelf-stable items, candy for the kids, fresh apples, and yogurt,” Kashchimer said.
The friendly faces serving the line included academy students and staff.
“Yesterday was their last day of school, and some of them were like Wingate, ‘We’re going to be up here tomorrow,’” said Wingate.
The academy is one of 80 community-based mobile pantries partnered with Forgotten Harvest.
Any given site feeds between 100 to 500 families. Wingate recalled his initial concerns about the size and scale of the operation.
“When this first started back in February, I worried it would be hard to keep up each week. That was until I heard a customer say, ‘You guys don’t know how much this means to me.’ I just lost my job, and if it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t have eaten.’ I realized we have to do this every week,” Wingate said.
“It’s a blessing,” said Ballinger. “I’m thankful for it because it feeds my family.”
Forgotten Harvest ensures folks aren’t forgotten. They are considering even bigger ways to bring food to people where they are.
One of two refitted, refrigerated trailers is part of their future plan.
