Some of the most effective non-profit organizations are those that remain in touch with the community they serve. Inkster's Operation Refuge is one such organization. The organization began as Mother's Pantry in 2006 in order to meet food insecurity needs in the neighborhood and operated out of the basement of Christ Temple City of Refuge Church. It later grew into Operation Refuge and established its non-profit status in 2008.

Jean Overman is the Executive Director of Operation Refuge and says she was one of the original founders of Mother's Pantry, which operates as a "client choice...