According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), food insecurity is when healthy food intake and eating patterns become disrupted due to lacking access to quality foods or resources (Nord et al., 2005). Healthy diets are critical for optimal mental and physical functions, even when it is hard to make ends meet. At the HIGH Program, our mission is to provide financially struggling students with the resources and assistance, so they don’t have to sacrifice their dreams of obtaining their degree. No one should need to choose between a healthy meal and a place to be warm through the night. We have put together resources to make it easier to find local food banks and food pantries in your area.
Let us start with the difference between food banks and food pantries. Knowing the difference will help determine proximity to quality food. It also may help shorten the time between arriving at the site and receiving food.
- Food Bank - A food bank is an organization where food industries and food drives donate food. Food banks take inventory of the donations and store them to distribute to agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, and various shelters.
- Food Pantry - A food pantry is an individual site that is part of an agency of the food bank in the area. Food pantries distribute bags and boxes of food directly to people in need living in the area.
Food banks are where industries and food drives donate the food, and food pantries are where people can go to receive food. Many websites offer resources and include lists of locations that provide food for those in need.
In September 2021, we mentioned Forgotten Harvest, a food rescue organization that delivers food directly to families living in the Metro Detroit Area, but many other organizations are helping fight hunger and food insecurity. Here are a couple of resources where people can find local food banks and food pantries within their neighborhoods.
1. Feeding America - https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
1. Feeding America - https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
Feeding America is a nationwide organization with over 200 food banks in its network. Their food bank networks have fed over 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters that are also within their network. On their site, people can find a map with participating programs and other resources on how to receive government aid.
2. Food Pantries - https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/mi-detroit
Foodpantries.org is a great resource where people can find participating food programs throughout Michigan. Their website is where people can find a comprehensive list of food closets, food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens, and other food assistance programs. Operation hours, location, and whether the organization is faith-based or government-run can also be found on their website.
3. Free Food - https://www.freefood.org/c/mi-detroit
Freefood.org is a website that lists resources and locations where people can find free food. This website is also where people can leave comments and post other locations that provide free food for families in need. The locations for free food may not be all-inclusive, but it includes cities throughout the state of Michigan.
Sources:
Nord M., Andrews M., Carlson S. (2005). Household food security in the United States, 2005 [Internet]. Washington: USDA Economic Research Service; 2005. Report No.: ERR-29. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/45655/29206_err29_002.pdf?v=41334
Foodpantries.org is a great resource where people can find participating food programs throughout Michigan. Their website is where people can find a comprehensive list of food closets, food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens, and other food assistance programs. Operation hours, location, and whether the organization is faith-based or government-run can also be found on their website.
3. Free Food - https://www.freefood.org/c/mi-detroit
Freefood.org is a website that lists resources and locations where people can find free food. This website is also where people can leave comments and post other locations that provide free food for families in need. The locations for free food may not be all-inclusive, but it includes cities throughout the state of Michigan.
Sources:
Nord M., Andrews M., Carlson S. (2005). Household food security in the United States, 2005 [Internet]. Washington: USDA Economic Research Service; 2005. Report No.: ERR-29. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/45655/29206_err29_002.pdf?v=41334
By: Selita O. Paea
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