200 Volunteers Pack Food for Detroit Families in Need

When temperatures dropped across southeast Michigan, nearly 200 volunteers bundled up to fight a different kind of cold: the reality that many families don't know where their next meal is coming from.

Mothers, fathers and children from the Oakland County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America gathered at Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park on Saturday morning. For four hours, they packed healthy food for metro Detroit families facing hunger.

This wasn't just about filling boxes. The event's theme, "Learning While We Serve," transformed the warehouse into a classroom where young volunteers learned about nutrition, food deserts and food equity.

"The great thing about this service project is we're going to spend a lot of time teaching the children about food insecurity," said Johanne Pearson, president of Jack and Jill Oakland County. "We want them to understand what it is, how it impacts our community, and what they can do."

The timing carried special meaning. Every Jack and Jill chapter across America picks a day to honor Dr. King's call to serve others, coinciding with the organization's 88th Founders Day.

The Ripple Effect

The real power of Saturday's event extends beyond the meals packed. Young volunteers left understanding that they have personal power to make a difference in their community.

Parents modeled service alongside their children, showing that helping others isn't something you do once, but a way of life. These kids now know what food insecurity looks like and, more importantly, what they can do about it.

The chapter continues asking the community to support healthy food donations to Forgotten Harvest's Community Choice Market. Every contribution helps ensure neighbors have access to nutritious meals, not just any meals.

When service becomes a family tradition, whole communities transform.