HARVEST FOOD PANTRY
For over ten years, Friendship House has provided 1-3 days worth of food once a month to eligible families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for adequate nutrition provide the basis for food assembled for those enrolled in the program. The food is considered a supplement to what a family needs rather than comprehensive and complete.
Who Can Sign Up for the Harvest Food Pantry?
People who live in Hamtramck or the 48212 zip code area are eligible for the Harvest Food Pantry. People who live outside of these boundaries can be referred to other food pantries serving the area where they live. Only one Harvest card will be issued per household address.
How Do I Sign Up for the Harvest Food Pantry?
First call 313-871-7443 or walk in and make an appointment to sign up. When you come to your appointment, you must bring the following with you:
- Photo ID for the adult in the family who will have the Harvest Food Pantry card. The ID must have your current address.
- Proof of income (for instance, food stamp card, Social Security document for SSI or retirement, paycheck stub, bank statement, child support, FIP)
- IDs for all adults in the household.
- Medicaid cards or birth certificates for all children in the household.
How Soon Can I Get Food and How Often Can I Come?
After first signing up for the Harvest Food Pantry, you must wait one (1) week until your paperwork is processed. Then you may pick up food one time per month. During November and December, Friendship House provides an extra distribution of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Notices about when the extra food will be given out is posted in the Friendship House lobby.
How Often Do I Need to Reapply for the Harvest Food Pantry?
When you first sign up, your card will be valid for one (1) year unless you are 62 years or older. People 62 and older receive a card that is valid for two (2) years.
Where does the food come from?
Friendship House is able to buy or receive free items through Gleaners Food Bank in Detroit. In general, groceries from Gleaners are much less expensive than retail establishments, and thus Friendship House is able to stretch food dollars.
Forgotten Harvest is a second source of food for the Harvest Food Pantry. Forgotten Harvest collects fresh and frozen produce from restaurants, caterers and grocery stores and delivers them to food pantries with the capacity to distribute the items quickly and/or safely store them at the appropriate temperature to ensure food safety. Forgotten Harvest does not charge for the donated food.
An Entenmann's Bakeries outlet store in Warren, MI supplies Friendship House with a truckload of bread, rolls, bagels, cakes, donuts, cookies, stuffing, coffee cakes and more each week. There is no charge for this donation.
Food Drives conducted by churches, scout troops, and community groups supplement the Harvest Food Pantry. Those interested in conducting a food drive on behalf of Friendship House should click on the "Volunteer Opportunity/Wish List" page of this website for suggestions on items to collect.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE
Occassionally, Friendship House has special funding to help people pay their utility bills. Guidelines change yearly, and when funding is released to Friendship House, the rules and regulations for giving it out change from time to time. Thus, it is not possible to outline specifically how much can be paid, or which clients can be served. It is best to call Friendship House at 313-871-7443 and ask whether money is available and what the requirements are to make an appointment to apply.
RENT ASSISTANCE
As with utility assistance, Friendship House receives funding specifically for mortgage payment or rent payment throughout the year. It is not constantly available. When funding is released to Friendship House, the requirements for giving it out change from time to time. Funding guidelines vary according to the particular funding source. It is thus not possible to outline specifically how much can be paid, or which clients can be served. It is best to call Friendship House at 313-871-7443 and ask whether money is available and what the requirements are to make an appointment to apply.
COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER
Twice a year in the spring and fall, Friendship House hosts a community baby shower for women who are pregnant or have given birth in the previous three months. The event includes child care for other children, free lunch and a series of mini-workshops on helpful topics to help baby and family get off to a great start. Each woman who participates receives a layette and can participate in raffles for larger items such as strollers, cribs and car seats.
Women who wish to participate in a Community Baby Shower must register ahead of time. To find out when the next one will be held, call (313-871-7443) or stop in at the Friendship House office, or check the "Events" page of this website.
GOOD NUTRITION
A series of six (6) workshops are offered weekly where information on what constitutes good nutrition for health is taught. Food is prepared at each session for participants to taste. By the end of all six workshops, participants know how to read food labels, prepare healthy food, shop wisely and try new recipes. The classes are underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan and Casino Windsor.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Workshops to help people manage their money, clean up their credit, save money and stretch their budgets make up the "Show Me the Money" program. As funding to support the workshops is received, they are scheduled. They are free to participants, and each person who attends a workshop receives a nice gift. Call Friendship House (313-871-7443) or stop by the lobby to find out when the next class will be offered.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIVEAWAY
In late July / early August of each year, Friendship House distributes free school supplies for children whose parents attend a one-time workshop. Call Friendship House (313-871-7443) or stop by the lobby to find out when the give-away program will take place. If you are interested in donating school supplies for the program, click on the "Volunteer Opportunities/Wish List" page of this website.
CLOTHING & HOUSEHOLD GOODS
From time to time, people donate used clothing and household items to Friendship House to be given away free. Such items are in the lobby and may be taken by anyone who walks through the door. We ask that people take only what they need and leave some for others.
For more info on any of the programs listed,
call 313-871-7443.
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