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At a time when businesses are closing and Michigan residents are finding themselves out of work, the Ferndale Food Pantry is undergoing a much-needed expansion.
In addition to an emergency allocation of $90,000 from the federal government, a $50,000 federal grant flowed into the food pantry as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The Ferndale Food Pantry is one of many services offered by the Oakland and Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA). Recently, the agency has found its services in high demand because of the economic hardship affecting many Michigan residents.
“Since the recession hit, really since last fall, the food bank reliance has gone way up. We’re jammed every day. We’ve got people waiting all the time,” said Janice Cross, OLHSA South’s associate director of human services.
“Our waiting room is just packed. Previously, our food pantry was for emergencies only. But now, with this grant, we’re able to give people help on a more regular basis.”
OLHSA offers 75 public service programs, including AIDS services, care for pre-kindergarten children and elders, emergency medical assistance, and services for prisoners re-entering society. Since the recession began last year, OLHSA has seen an unprecedented increase in reliance on emergency food supplies.
“Oh, we’ve seen our reach just skyrocket,” explains Director of Human Services Carol Tennant, “During the first week of this additional stimulus money, we saw over 100 families. During prior months, we would usually get only 20 families per week, so that’s a fivefold increase.”
“I think you can tell that the federal government is aware of the increasing need, and that’s why they’ve designated this extra money for us.”
However, there are signs that even this stimulus might not be enough.
“Nothing is ever enough when people are suffering like this,” Tennant said. “But at least it’s something.”
Many have only recently made use of the Ferndale Food Pantry for the first time.
“Across all of our programs, we’re seeing, because of the newly unemployed, people come in who have never had to use this before. Many will say something to the effect, ‘I’ve always donated, now I’ve got to accept,’ ” Cross said.
Tennant conveyed the difficulty many have visiting the food bank for the first time.
“Sometimes it’s very hard for people to ask for help, and there is no shame in it. Anybody can need help — it just takes one accident, one lost job, and that’s why we’re trying to help people with these basic needs, people who need help,” she said.
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