Combating Hunger-Community organizations team up to feed nearly 600 Lansing families

WLNS news 6 covered the event

In Michigan, 1,299,020 people are facing hunger - and of them 305,190 are children. One in eight people face hunger. One in seven children face hunger (www.feedingamerica.org). Despite this fact some are not aware of the food disparities that exist in their very own communities. Hunger is a silent predator and often goes unnoted and unexamined.

Men Making a Difference at ProStyle Barbershop

In an effort to combat hunger and increase food access, community organizations partner in "Annual food drive and Distribution."

On December 17, 2022, local Lansing nonprofit The Lansing Catalyst partnered with Men Making a Difference (M.M.A.D.) and other organizations including Church of Elohim and The Chronicle News for an essential items and food giveaway in dual-location distribution within Lansing, Michigan.

Yanice Jackson, founder of The Lansing Catalyst, headed the food distribution on the Northside at Advancement Corporation Community Center,(500 East Thomas St) while Andrew Brewer, founder of MMAD, ran the Southside food distribution at ProStyle Barbershop on Jolly Road.

Men Making a Difference handed out over 250 dinner kits from their Southside location alone.

During the distribution, over 100 essential kits (socks, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, non-perishable snacks, band aids and alcohol swabs) were handed out, as cars pulled through the parking lot.

Chronicle News Publisher, Yanice Jackson, loads food bags on day of event

When asked what type of meat she preferred, one woman said, "Anything will help us right now." After loading her bags of food, she got out of her car in the snowfall to give one of the volunteers a hug. Through tears she said, "You don't know how much this means to us. Thank you."

More than five hundred and fifty dinner kits with various meats (from 1910 Food Market) , sides, and nonperishables were loaded into the cars in line, along with winter hats, baby items and more. There were also over 100 toy bags available for kids from three to 12. With the help of community partners, sponsors and volunteers, the organizations were able to give a gift to the community of Lansing.

 From (L to R) Sam from 1910 takes a quick shot with Liam and Yanice before loading meat in van.

The Lansing Catalyst and Chronicle News would like to give a shout out to the volunteers and supporters in the community. They would also like to give a special thank you to their generous sponsors Comcast, Young Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, MSUFCU, (Capital Area District Libraries) CADL, Shaheen Chevrolet, and Galilee Baptist Church for helping make this event possible.

If you would like more information about these organizations or would like to donate or volunteer for future events, please contact info@lansingcatalyst.org.