This year, Open Door celebrates 30 years of helping those in need with food, clothing, and crisis funding for utility shut-offs, rental/mortgage assistance, prescriptions, etc. A major part of the Center’s anniversary celebration is the “Tip the Scales 30,000 lb. Food Challenge”. By the end of the year, the Center will pull out all the stops to gather at least 15 tons of food.
The idea for the “Tip the Scales Food Challenge” stemmed from a project launched last year by the Waterford Insurance Agency located at 2625 Pontiac Lake Road. The Agency considered several options for the vacant land it owned next to its location. When the decision was made to grow and tend a community garden, several area residents and businesses offered to donate their time and resources. The garden was a big success – more than 850 pounds of fresh organically grown vegetables were donated to help feed families served by Open Door.
To make the challenge a success, all eight communities served by Open Door need to be involved: businesses, churches, schools, government organizations, civic groups and individuals. The goal is to reach 30,000 lbs. of food by the end of the year.
Businesses, churches, schools, government organizations, civic groups and individuals can help in either of these ways:
Call 248-682-0044 to let Open Door partners place a collection box in your place of business. Get your employees and customers involved. Call the same number for pick up and/or to drop off a new box.
Be a sponsor. Major sponsors who are willing to commit to donating $2,000 worth of non-perishable food items (l lb. Is equal to $1.69) will be recognized on the Open Door website and newsletter (with distribution to 3,500) and the Waterford Insurance Agency blog.
Periodic updates will be posted in the coming months at the “Tip the Scales 30,000 lb. Food Challenge” at opendooroutreachcenter.com throughout the year.
Other activities are also being planned for throughout the year, which will be announced via the Open Door web site, local newspapers, and mailings.
To help or for additional information, contact Sharon Josephson at (248) 360-2930.
Contributions by Richard Berkfield and Marie Hauswirth
Our Mission Statement: "Recognizing the human dignity of all persons, Open Door Outreach Center's primary mission, in the spirit of interfaith charity, is to provide emergency services (food, clothing, and referral information) to families in need." "Open Door may offer, as funding permits, other special assistance programs and supplemental services meant to improve the quality of the life in the community.'
Open Door Outreach Center
7170 Cooley Lake Road Waterford, MI 48327 (248) 360 2930
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
DID YOU KNOW?
--One in three children in Metro Detroit will go to bed hungry tonight?
--99% of Open Door Outreach Center families qualify as Extremely low or very low income.
--Open Door Outreach Center prevents evictions and utility shut offs
In 2009...
--Clothing and household items valued more than $28,200 provided at no cost from our resale store to clients
--Direct crisis funding of $38,056 plus $78,524 of funding secured from our collaborative partners was given to clients
--Regular food distribution of 135,159 pounds fed 3,410 families
--694 Families sought help for the first time
--99% of Open Door Outreach Center families qualify as Extremely low or very low income.
--Open Door Outreach Center prevents evictions and utility shut offs
In 2009...
--Clothing and household items valued more than $28,200 provided at no cost from our resale store to clients
--Direct crisis funding of $38,056 plus $78,524 of funding secured from our collaborative partners was given to clients
--Regular food distribution of 135,159 pounds fed 3,410 families
--694 Families sought help for the first time
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