CARES in Farmington Hills | caresfh.org

November-December 2023 |Sept

CARES Food Pantry Serving Farmington-Farmington Hills-Livonia-Northville-Novi-Redford Twp-Southfield-West Bloomfield

CALL: 248-474-8231 for information.

The annual Grateful Plate Full Campaign runs from October to January 15. This is your opportunity to help insure that CARES is able to continue providing food to those in our cities who are in need.

Some suggestions for donations are shown above. Whatever your donation amount, EVERY dollar helps to feed hungry families and individuals in our communities. Nearly 700 households in Farmington, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Northville, Novi, Redford, Southfield and West Bloomfield are able to receive food from the CARES Food Pantry because of donations from businesses and people like you who care.

The Grateful Plate Full is on NOW through January 15!

Please make your generous donation today at www.caresfh.org/donate OR write a check to CARES FH at

CARES of Farmington Hills

27835 Shiawassee

Farmington Hills, MI 48336.

Tim and Kelly Wasmer at the annual Grateful Plate Full Gala.

Another great business partner with CARES, Tim Wasmer of Wasmer Brothers Landscaping. Tim is working with a team of contractors to toward making CARES Campus of Hope a reality.

Do you ever wonder...

...who comes to the CARES Pantry for food? Here is one story:

Corinne* came to CARES in desperation after taking in four children ages 5 through 8. The children came from an abusive situation and all needed medical and psychological support. Corinne, a widow, who was a full time cook, had to leave her job to care for the children. Currently, she handles expenses by taking on odd jobs like sewing/alterations and house cleaning so she can be home when the children are there.

Her only income is her SS benefits and $137 per month in food stamps. This is not enough to support 4 children adequately. "After paying mortgage and car payments there isn't much left. I don't know what I would do without CARES. I couldn't feed the children. I would have to search for help," she says.

We never know another's burden. In our eyes, Corinne is a hero and we are proud to be able to help her and her new family.

*Corinne is not her real name.

SOS...Sharing our Season is back from Busch's!

"Giving back to our communities is part of our business model," says President Doug Busch.



Each year Busch's Sharing Our Season--SOS Campaign helps raise thousands of dollars for CARES Food Pantry. From November 13-26, Busch's Stores in Farmington Hills and Livonia will be collecting donations to help feed hungry families in our area.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BE A PART of the SOS Campaign:

Shop Busch's in Farmington Hills and Livonia between Nov 13 and 26:

• Pick up a Gift Tag for a $5 produce donation or $10 meat donation and take it to any register
• Purchase a Ready-­To‐Go bag 
• Donate your bottle return slip

• Sign up to work a shift or two at either the Livonia or Farmington Hills food drive here! Just click on the name of either city.

Meet a member of our Staff...

From the Goetz Family Farm to CARES Family Tables

Steve Goetz, right, with Doug and Patti Smith

Steve Goetz represents three generations of farming. He sells his organic, sustainably grown produce every Sat at the Farmington Farmers' Market. And at the end of each Saturday, he donates all of the unsold produce to CARES Pantry. That means CARES guests can choose fresh vegetables for their tables in addition to the other food offerings.

Volunteers Doug and Patti Smith pick up 50-100 lbs of produce each week and deliver it to CARES every Sat. after the Market closes. Nearly 1200 lbs of fresh produce has been donated by Goetz Family Farm this season.

Our Volunteers are special...

Paul Floreno and the CARES Delivery Van provided by Nissan.

Paul Floreno believes "No one should be hungry or homeless in this country. We have the resources to solve these problems!" But, until there is a solution, he is doing what he can to help out.

During COVID he realized many guests didn't have transportation to CARES so he began delivering food to homebound residents and continues doing so today, building relationships and offering encouragement along the way.

Paul loves hearing good news from guests and was especially happy when one of his CARES guests recently became a US citizen. "He was standing on the porch waving his US flag when I arrived. That really made my day."



His biggest concern, "I know we are doing all we can, but I worry it isn't enough. People are hungry. I think we're here to help one another in this life. This is something I can do."

Become a CARES GIVER to help us keep up with the demand.

We especially need:

Cereal

Peanut Butter

Baking Mixes

Snacks

Canned Soup and the following

Non-food items:

Toilet Paper (4 roll packs)

Basic Household Cleaners (NO Bleach) and

Laundry Detergent (46 or 88 oz size)

Visit www.caresfh.org/donate or click on the button below to make your donation today.

From l to r, Kitty Ostach/CARES Staff; Cindy Portis; Bev Rice, Maureen Wakenell,and Sharon Knoph of St. Colette's Parish in Livonia; Lonnell Steward/Staff in rear, with cleaning supplies for CARES guests.

Now-January 15: Grateful Plate Full Campaign

Nov 4: Holiday Art Show

Nov 13-26: SOS Food Drive at Busch's Fresh Food Markets in Farmington Hills and Livonia

November-December through always: Your donations!

What does the 2023 Farm Bill Have to do With YOU?

Food insecurity is growing in the US and in Michigan. The Farm Bill which expired on Sept. 30 funds nutrition programs like SNAP - (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program). That includes programs like Gleaners and CARES! If Congress doesn't reauthorize the Farm Bill soon, CARES and others who supply food for those in need will be in major trouble.

Over 300,000 children in MI are going hungry everyday! Congress must act soon to prevent even more children and families from suffering needless hunger.

PLEASE contact your Congressman or woman and urge them to pass the Farm Bill so thousands of Michiganders won't go hungry this winter.

Find your congressional representative at the website below:

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

CARES...IT'S WHAT WE DO!

CARES in Farmington Hills | WWW.caresfh.org

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Cheryl Willette