The Fifth Annual Easter Ham Giveaway was held on Thursday, March 28 at Womack Temple C.M.E. Church in Inkster. The event was held in partnership with Forgotten Harvest, Dearborn Sausage, and Absopure. The church's Food Ministry team of Jai Simon, Jyll Reed, and Iris Tuddles were on hand along with more than 30 volunteers to hand out Easter Dinner makings and other food items to those facing food insecurity. Members of the Inkster Police Department volunteered their time, passing out grocery staples and speaking with members of the community as they received their goods.

One of the event's organizers, Jai Simon says the giveaway is possible because of donations from local partners. "Thank God for Todd Meier from Dearborn Sausage, they have blessed us with 700 hams this year. We have created a relationship with them over the last five years," says Simon. "We don't understand about all the people that have food insecurities but we're able to bless them. Folks are getting a ham, they're getting corned beef, they're getting macaroni and cheese, cheese, and eggs, and we all know how much eggs cost at the grocery store! So this is what we're doing here today."

Church member and food ministry operator Jyll Reed explains that the church operates a food panty every first, second, and third Thursday each month. "Today is extra special because we're giving out hams and corned beef so that everybody's Easter will be great. We always think about No Child Without a Christmas, how about No Child Without Easter? That's what we're about here at Womack Temple, we feed your stomach as well as your soul," she says.

Walter Cooper is Director of Community Relations with the Inkster Police Department. He says the police department wants residents to know they care about issues in the community, adding, "Today we're giving away hams for Easter. We're here just to show the community that the Inkster Police Department is here in your time of need, no matter if it's a holiday or a regular day and anytime we can get out in the community and help with the needs for the holidays, we love to get out and do it."

"I absolutely love this," says Forgotten Harvest's Krista Poole. "Every year this event brings out about 800 neighbors in need. Womack Temple services about 200 clients every week. Whenever you're able to show some love and give the community a sense of encouragement and help with food insecurity, and provide a meal right before Easter, we love it."

Simon says the church and it food ministry are a staple within the neighborhood. He adds, "This is what we call the Little Miracle on Cherry Street. We perform miracles, this is a blessing to be able to bless the community and the surrounding communities,"

For more information on the Womack Temple's Food Pantry, call the church at 734-326-4822.

The Inkster Police Department serves its neighbors by helping distribute Easter groceries.

Womack Temple is located at 28445 Cherry St in Inkster.