Oak Park Distributes Thanksgiving Meals to More Than 250 Families

Oak Park joined forces with first responders and local groups to provide Thanksgiving meals to over 250 households struggling with food access. WXYZ reported the city partnered with the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Forgotten Harvest to distribute full holiday grocery packages.

Hundreds of cars stretched down Oak Park Boulevard for the annual holiday food pantry. Wait times began at 10 a.m. Turkeys and other staples were distributed to those who queued up early.

Cathleen Mosby arrived third in a long procession of vehicles. She lives on disability payments after retiring.

"I needed the food," said Mosby. "I haven't even talked to my family about Thanksgiving, so that's how stressful it is."

The event addressed growing food access problems. SNAP benefits have lapsed. Federal workers face wage gaps. Demand for help has climbed.

Kay Darrell waited in line to collect groceries she'd share with neighbors and her church. "I've been hearing a lot about the need, that's why I'm thankful I'm available to go to the food lines and get food and give it away and take it to my church or my neighbors," Darrell said.

Oak Park Public Safety coordinated the distribution. Volunteers came from Detroit Police, Michigan State Police, Southfield Police, and Ferndale Fire Department. Steve Cooper directs Public Safety for Oak Park.

"When budgets are tight and Christmas is around the corner and there's gifts to be bought, and if we can do a little something to kinda ease the tension or financial burden, then definitely we want to do that," said Cooper.

The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce provided turkeys. Store owners contributed enough to triple the number of birds available for distribution.

"What we did is capitalize on that by saying to the Chaldean store owners, Hey, we need your donation so we could triple the size and the amount of turkeys to give out to families in Oak Park and they sure came through," said Sharkey Haddad from the chamber.

Krista Poole manages Senior Client Services at Forgotten Harvest. Her organization ensured each household walked away with a complete meal.

"They should never have to choose between feeding their family for the holiday or keeping a roof over their head or paying for a prescription, so we try to alleviate all of those barriers by loving on the community," Poole said.