Madison Heights Food Pantry Settles into New Space, Seeks Donations
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 25, 2021)
Madison Heighs, MI – When Executive Director/President Amanda Stein cut the ribbon for the Madison Heights Food Pantry’s new location, it wasn’t just a traditional red ribbon.
Mayor Roslyn Grafstein explained, “Instead, it was covered in smaller ribbons each symbolizing the groups and individual volunteers who contributed to the success of the pantry. Green represented the city and red the Women’s Club as well as a purple and yellow ribbon for Madison schools and a blue/white ribbon for Lamphere.
“From across the city, across socioeconomic lines, races, religions and ages, volunteers came together to help the pantry.”
An effort that began as a way to help neighbors early in the pandemic has grown into the Madison Heights Food Pantry, which recently moved into their long-term home with Central Church.
Amanda Stein spearheaded the effort which began at the beginning of the pandemic. Now she’s serving as Executive Director and Chair of the Board.
“The Madison Heights Food Pantry started on the evening of March 12th 2020 after a conversation with community members about what the lock down would mean. I said someone needed to start a food pantry and Kymm Clark said “Why don’t you?” So, I started the Facebook group and invited Kymm, Michael Abbott and Shawn Force to be on the leadership team with me.
“Within a week Kymm invited a few more people, gotten us shelves, people donated food, and had secured us the Huffman Park building on a temporary basis,” Stein said.
“I knew we needed a permanent site so I was looking from the start. Central Church was a huge supporter from the beginning so reaching out to them was a natural step. I looked into a few options but after the pantry board and leadership looked at Central Church it was perfect.
“We are a separate entity but thrilled to partner with Central Church for a permanent location.”
Stein works as a social worker, and has taken an interest in the fight against food insecurity.
“I know that food security is the most basic need,” she said. “I wrote my Honors thesis as an undergrad on resources during the Great Depression and Great Recession and I felt a responsibility to do everything I could as the pandemic crisis started to hit locally. Everyone who became involved felt that same drive to do everything possible for our community.”
The pantry – with a team of about 20 volunteers – serves about 1000 people each month and the numbers have started to climb. “Since we started last March we’ve served roughly 11,000 neighbors,” Stein said.
Mayor Grafstein is proud of the neighbors’ efforts. “The Pantry is to me what last year was about, community coming together to help our members, many of whom we don’t even know. What started in March as a group of random strangers who wanted to do something about food security has become a registered charity with a board and regular helpers who ease the food burden for those in our city and surrounding area,” she said.
“I commend everyone who has been involved with the Pantry. Those like Amanda who started the Pantry in March and everyone who has come on board since then. They are the silver lining in the COVID cloud, providing not only food but also hope and a sense of community. I also want to thank Pastor Sam and the Central Church for hosting the Pantry and keeping this valuable resource here in the city.”
More volunteers are definitely welcome, with particular needs on the weekdays for sorting. They are also in ongoing need of nonperishable food donations, especially spices, pasta sauces, large size baby and adult diapers, and shelf-stable milks (dairy or nondairy).
“We have donation bins for non-perishable items. Anything that hasn’t been opened and isn’t expired us welcome. Ideally, donate items that your family would eat or drink. Things life coffee and hot cocoa are bonus items that everyone appreciates,” Stein said. Donations can also be place in the Free Little Pantry on Park Ct.
Madison Heights Food Pantry is located at 1529 E. 12 Mile Road, located inside Central Church. Food is available on the first and third Saturdays of each month, from 9am to noon. Donations can be made to the bin inside the Church vestibule.
For the latest information check out the Madison Heights Food Pantry on Facebook, or email mhemergencypantry@gmail.com.
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