Forgotten Harvest Assists With Food Insecurity

For 30 years, Forgotten Harvest has been acting out its mission to relieve hunger while preventing food waste. The organization does this by rescuing surplus food from markets, restaurants, and caterers. The organization also takes donations and all that food is distributed to food providers in metro Detroit. Each year, Forgotten Harvest distributes more than 31,300,000 meals to people struggling with hunger in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties.

Since the COVID-19 crisis, the organization has put its efforts into high gear amid shuttered businesses and job losses. "I didn't realize how great a need there was for food for families. The conversation is, 'I have to make a decision either to pay my light bill or to buy something to eat, pay my rent or either buy food,'" says Romulus City Councilwoman Virginia Williams. "To see so many families in the same position, it's heartbreaking."

Williams reached out to Wayne County Executive Warren Evans to obtain food assistance for Romulus residents. After being told to secure a distribution location for Forgotten Harvest to work from, she contacted Romulus School Board President Judy Kennard, who decided the high school parking lot could be used. "Judy Kennard, the school board president, was very instrumental in getting us that location," she says.

The Forgotten Harvest Food Give Away in Romulus, intended to help residents in western Wayne County, is now going into its second month. Every Tuesday, starting at 1 p.m., pre-packaged boxes containing enough food for one week are being distributed in a drive-up, no contact fashion.The distribution site is Romulus High School, located at 9650 S. Wayne Road. Williams says those wishing to participate need only to provide a name and zip code. The giveaway event continues until all food is gone.

Forgotten Harvest is sponsoring similar food giveaways in other locations as well. Each Wednesday, two locations are hosting food giveaways. Food Hub at the Mercado, a community center in southwest Detroit, hosts its food giveaway from 9 a.m. until noon. The Food Hub is located at 2826 Bagley.

Also on Wednesdays in River Rouge, the food giveaway runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ann Visger Preparatory Academy, located at 11121 W. Jefferson Avenue.

Another Thursday food giveaway takes place on the first Thursday each month in Lincoln Park at Casa Di Mi Padre, located at 999 Fort Street, just southwest of Outer Drive. Food distribution begins at noon.

In Detroit at Body of Christ International Church, Forgotten Harvest sponsors a giveaway on the second and fourth Friday each month beginning at noon. Body of Christ Church is located at 9555 St. Mary's Street, west of Greenfield and north of West Chicago.

For more information on food distribution or to volunteer or donate, see Forgotten Harvest's website at http://www.forgottenharvest.org or call 248-967-1500.