by Leah Proctor-Ford, Outlier Media
December 18, 2025
This story was written by Randiah Camille Green and created in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. It is part of a year-long series focusing on the Hope Starts Here initiative in Detroit.
When the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was paused in October, 1.4 million Michiganders saw their food benefit payments stalled, with threats that they may be reduced when payments resumed in November. Local farms and community organizations in Detroit worked together to provide food for families who lost access. Although SNAP has since been restored, food insecurity remains an issue throughout the city.
Several food pantries, nonprofit organizations, and mutual aid initiatives are fighting to keep food available to Detroiters in need. Here are a few options available this winter with information on how to access them.
Cadillac Urban Gardens
In partnership with Standing in the Gap Collective, Cadillac Urban Gardens will be hosting a free pop-up grocery store every Wednesday from noon until 2 p.m. throughout the winter.
How to access: The Winter Pop Up Grocery Store is located at 4601 Merritt St., Detroit, and is open on Wednesdays, from noon until 2 p.m. Check Cadillac Urban Gardens’ Instagram page for the most up-to-date information.
Capuchin Soup Kitchen
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen provides free hot meals on weekdays at both the Conner and Meldrum locations. Breakfast is offered between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. They also offer access to showers and clothing to attendees. Additionally, the Soup Kitchen provides a food pantry which families can use much like a grocery store, with unlimited produce, following an initial needs assessment.
How to access: To schedule an appointment for the food pantry, call 313-925-1370 or visit cskdetroit.org for more information. Hot meals are available at the locations and times below.
- 1264 Meldrum St., Detroit, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- 4390 Conner St., Detroit, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
City of Detroit Food Pantry Finder
When SNAP benefits were being paused, the City of Detroit started an online food pantry finder. This interactive map lists pantries across the city, along with their hours of operation and contact information. Families in need can search by district, distance, or view the entire city map.
How to access: View the map, here.
Detroit Community Fridge
This community-based mutual aid project places refrigerators across Detroit and Dearborn that are stocked with food, and it also runs several pantries. They are open 24/7 and are stocked by neighbors, local farms, community organizations, and through partnerships with grocery stores like Trader Joe’s.
How to access: Visit any of the below locations 24/7
- Bridging Communities, 6900 McGraw, Detroit
- Field Street Community Fridge, 1812 Field St., Detroit
- Georgia Street Community Collection Fridge, 8902 Vinton Ave., Detroit
- Detroit Heals Detroit Community Fridge, 19510 Alcoy, Detroit
- Dearborn Mutual Aid, 1176 Abbey Lane, Dearborn
- Gratiot Community Pantry, 10061 Gratiot, Detroit
- Highland Park Little Pantry, Glendale and Dexter, Highland Park
- Arts & Scraps, 16135 Harper, Detroit ***Not open 24/7
- Riverbend Little Free Pantry, 2648 Marlborough, Detroit
- Maxwell Pantry, Maxwell and Forest, Detroit
How to access: See pantrynet.org/mobile-distribution-events/ for the most current distribution schedule.
Detroit People’s Food Co-op/Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN)
This Black-led co-op in the New Center neighborhood has a Pay It Forward program where shoppers purchase gift cards for families in need, to be used in-store. Ask a cashier how to get a card to cover your grocery purchase. DBFSN, the co-op, and the Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund are also partnering for free food giveaways on Monday, Dec. 22.
How to access: Visit the Detroit People’s Food Co-op at 8324 Woodward Ave, Detroit. Register for the food giveaway and receive information about other food distributions in the city at dbcfsn.org/freefood.
Food Bank Council of Michigan
Through its Food and Other Resources (F.O.R.) Helpline, the Food Bank Council of Michigan offers help with accessing local food programs, applying for SNAP benefits, and referrals to other resources. The helpline is available statewide, in more than 240 languages, from Monday through Friday.
How to access: Call 1-888-544-8773 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Forgotten Harvest
Forgotten Harvest hosts weekly drive-up mobile pantries across metro Detroit via the Emergency Food Assistance Program. They also run a Community Choice Market, a grocery store format pantry in Oak Park where families can come and choose the items they need, at no cost. The Community Choice Market is by appointment only and is often booked months in advance.
How to access: View the schedule for mobile pantry hours and locations, at forgottenharvest.org/find-food/. To make an appointment for the Community Choice Market Pantry, call 248-268-7756.Riverwise Magazine Community Potluck
Riverwise Magazine will host a community potluck on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Detroit People’s Food Commons (on the second floor of the Detroit People’s Food Co-op). Shelf stable food items, as well as coats, gloves, socks, and personal hygiene items will be given away. Bring a dish, with all ingredients listed, and a donation of any of the previously listed items if you can, or just come and receive.
How to access: Detroit People’s Food Commons, 8324 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 2nd floor on Saturday, Dec. 13, 1- 4 p.m.
Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan
Gleaners offers drive-up food distribution across 20 communities in metro Detroit. These mobile pantries provide a variety of foods, including milk, produce, and shelf-stable items, to anyone needing food, with no proof of eligibility required. They run on a two-week rotating schedule, and no prior registration is necessary. Due to long lines, Gleaners recommends arriving no earlier than an hour before the distribution is scheduled to start. Walk-up services are available at certain locations for those without a car.
Hey Y’all Detroit
Hey Y’all Detroit has a free produce box delivery program for families. The organization also hosts free farmers markets and produce box giveaways around the city.
How to access: Email HeyYallDetroit@gmail.com or follow Hey Y’all Detroit on Instagram or Facebook for information on upcoming free farmers markets.
Meals for Seniors
The Detroit Area Agency on Aging provides five packs of frozen meals for seniors aged 60 and up, on Wednesdays. Meals are given on a first-come, first-served basis at four recreation centers in Detroit. The Farwell Recreation Center also serves hot meals for a communal lunch to be eaten on site, during the week, for a small donation.
How to access: Frozen meals may be picked up at these locations:
- Adams Butzel Recreation, 10500 Lyndon, Detroit, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Buzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, Detroit, Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere, Detroit, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd., Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
Nothing But Flavor Catering Pay it Forward Program
This Detroit-based catering and meal prep company offers free, hot, ready-to-eat meals for families of up to six people. Meals can be delivered or picked up weekly. You can also sponsor a meal for a family via their website.
How to access: Request or sponsor a meal via Nothing But Flavor’s website.
United Way of Southeast Michigan
United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline refers families to organizations that can assist with food, housing and other resources. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The organization also has an online database of more than 30,000 statewide resources for families.
How to access: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-552-1183.
To learn more about assistance available to Detroit families and the impact of Hope Starts Here, visit https://outliermedia.org/tag/hope-starts-here.
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