Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County
The CSSW Emergency Food Program’s
food bank is located at the Northside Community Center in Ann Arbor
To qualify, families must have annual incomes below the Federal poverty
level. The Food Program buys food from
Food Gatherers at a substantial discount, and also receives grants and
donations from area churches. The food
that our children donate during St. Francis masses is delivered twice a month
to the food bank. Perishable food is also
available; on the 2nd Thursday of the month, Food Gatherers offers
fresh fruits and vegetables. This is
important because only 13% of households eat the USDA recommended daily five
servings of fruits and vegetables.
Food Gatherers cites Northside as the largest pantry in the County in
pounds of food distributed. The need for
assistance at the food bank has increased four-fold in 5 years. As wages fall and jobs disappeared, need has
increased.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This week, we share the
story of Kim, who is involved with the CSSW Emergency Food
Program:
When you’re hungry, nothing else
seems to matter, especially when all you have is a bag of frozen beans, two
bagels, and $61 in food stamps to feed your family for an entire month.
Kim faces the daily challenge of
coping with a closed-head injury from 12 years ago that left her with permanent
neurological damage. Unable to hold a
job, she gives back to the community by volunteering for several non-profits. Her husband Ed goes out day after day looking
for work as a skilled carpenter. It
hasn’t been easy.
With sporadic income, their small
savings eventually ran out. Kim knew her
family needed help. That’s when she decided to go to the Northside Community Center
She was surprised not only by the
quality and quantity of food she received, but also the personal attention. “They treated me with dignity. They didn’t treat me any differently than
anyone else; I was treated like family.”
She was also given leads on employment opportunities and clothing
assistance.
Although the food pantry supervisor
was busy, she loaded Kim’s car and reminded her of the day fresh produce would
be delivered. They were wonderful,” Kim says.
“I left feeling like they had given me my dignity back.”
This article was edited and organized by Kelly Gauthier, St. Francis Parish Peace & Justice Committee member
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