To mark World Food Day 2022, the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit held their annual drive-thru food pantry to support local families in conjunction with community partners, C.A.R.E.S. in Farmington Hills and Farmington Public Schools. This year, the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit acknowledged that, as food insecurity increases, it is even more important to make it easier for families to get access to food. As such, the drive thru food pantry took place at the Maxfield Education Center in Farmington Hills.
This was a true community initiative that began with the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit collectively raising funds to purchase food items from C.A.R.E.S. in Farmington Hills. Although a local food pantry, the ability for C.A.R.E.S. in Farmington Hills to procure the food items allowed the Detroit Bohras to maximize their funds as well as streamlined the ability to box the food into family-sized portions. Meanwhile, the Community Support Services team at Farmington Public Schools helped identify and register families who could avail of the food. The team currently supports over 250 families, many of whom do not have permanent homes and have recently immigrated to Michigan. All the partners came together on distribution day, October 17th, to ensure that families were welcomed and received the food packages.
Mr. Greg Smith, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Farmington Public School’s, said, "The work of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is indeed the actions of a village toward a collective goal. Often at the center of that goal is both humility and service. The Farmington Public School District is honored to have both of those characteristics represented in our partnership with the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit."
Many living in Metro Detroit do not realize there is a rise in food insecurity within Oakland County and specifically the area of Farmington Hills. Since the pandemic, the numbers of families needing support continue to increase. C.A.R.E.S in Farmington Hills now serves over 1,000 people each month and the number continues to increase on a monthly basis. Community efforts like the drive-thru food pantry alleviate some of the pressure on these families. It also introduces families to resources like C.A.R.E.S. in Farmington Hills.
Mr. Todd Lipa, Executive Director of CARES in Farmington Hills, shared, “CARES is honored to participate with the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit every year by helping procure the food to be distributed. The Dawoodi Bohras do so much to support organizations throughout the community. This year, the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit, along with CARES and Farmington Public Schools, gave out over 4,000 pounds of food to over 120 families. It is true that “many hands lighten the load. It is beautiful when partners can come together to lighten the worry that someone may have when it comes to feeding their family.”
The work that the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit carry out is part of the global Project Rise initiative that encourages members to actively involve themselves in philanthropic efforts. Similar to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Dawoodi Bohras work to address socio-economic, educational and environmental challenges, among many goals, and strive to uplift their local communities wherever they reside.
