Oak Park Family Runs Gifting Pantry

Oak Park Family Runs Gifting Pantry
(Markarian Family, March 21, 2021)
We are family run Pantry, Our names are Greg and Rutth Markarian, we have 4 adult children and 1 young child. We have been helping families since 2011.
As like most people, there was a point in life when we needed assistance. Feeling that hurt for our family and trying to keep food on the table, especially when the state felt we were not qualified.  Once we got our feet back on the ground and stable, we felt we needed to do our part to help families, so many hurt but feel guilty asking.  We took the time to spread the word as we started to stock our basement with laundry supplies, feminine needs, food, even toys and clothing. Rutth would drive around the state and stop at random parking lots then post where she was and that she had food and clothing and shoes, no questions asked. Just come and pick through everything and take what you needed. We also held giveaway days at our home and we would lay everything out in the driveway and allowed people to come to go through items and if they needed food then they could knock on the door and we would make them up a bag of food to take with them.
We would also collect for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year and help between 75 to 300 families each holiday, every year.  We also help with Appliances and Gas Cards when we have enough Cash donations in the savings to allow it.
As the years went on, Rutth’s health got worse and so she was unable to drive around like she used too, so we would push for more people to pick up from us rather then doing drop offs.
We now mainly do pick-ups and drops off on the weekends, when we have the availability to do so, as Greg’s schedule doesn’t really allow him to do either during the week.  In 2018 we started discussing putting a Pantry outside to make it even easier for people to get the help they needed.
And it was perfect timing when we finally got everything we needed to install a Pantry in March of 2020, since then we now have 2 Pantries outside and most days also a Cooler or two.  We mainly ask that only Non Perishable foods, Fresh vegetables and fruits, Adult and Kids books/coloring books are donated and if you would like to donate Cold items then place them inside the Cooler outside, if there is no room then please contact our Facebook page (link below) to see if we have room to store it in our basement, as we have 2 fridges and a deep freezer specifically for the Pantry and families in need.
Please do not put bagged/boxed foods or fresh foods in cardboard boxes under Pantries or on the ground, as that can make critters want to go through everything and respect the household and property when visiting.  If you need a few days worth of food, you can also message our Facebook page to set up an appointment for us to make you up a few bags/boxes for you to pick up at a convenient time for both parties. Our family pantry is for everyone and anyone needing help, not just Oak Park!
If you would like to donate Cash to help us keep stock, buy gas cards,etc. then please contact our Facebook page for those details or you may ring our doorbell. We will also be installing a box by the Pantries where people can donate as well, all donations help us tremendously as we use up to 40% of Greg’s income to keep what we do.
Our address is:
23400 Seneca St
Oak Park, MI 48237
Thank you to everyone that helps us keep this going!
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/OakParkGiftingPantry
Oak Park Residents Giving Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/OakParkGifting
Michigan Gifting Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/MichiganAngels
You can also find us on http://mapping.littlefreepantry.org/pantry/1038?fbclid=IwAR3bbJ_CYaYt3VghdL0MJybq7QMmiWBJXTEjNly6svyqI6z7_frzDvFhMpA

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