Some Metro Detroit school districts are strengthening their food assistance programs as families brace for the potential pause of SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown.

The River Rouge School District, in partnership with the Heart Work Is Hard Work Foundation, will be giving away 4,000 free turkeys and other dinner fixings to families in need on Monday.

Every Wednesday morning for the past two and half years, Tarence Wheeler is outside of Ann Visger Elementary School in River Rouge with his mobile food pantry, “Pantry of Hope.”

Several puppies have found new homes thanks to the River Rouge School District.