Jackson, Michigan, instituted its own meal distribution program this month.
The project started on Feb. 1, seeking to support the members of the community and the local restaurants through the purchase of meals.
Inspired by a Vermont-based program called Everyone Eats, Jackson community affairs manager, Mindy Bradish-Orta, sought to create a similar program for the people of Jackson.
“We saw this program where a non-profit organization was hiring restaurants to provide meals that were then given away to the needy,” she said. “We looked at it and decided, you know this is something we can do here.”
The nonprofit organization, along with Consumers Energy and generous contributions from donors in the community, donated $500,000 in support of the program. 1,250 meals are provided every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon for a total of 40,000 meals over the course of two months.
The meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is based on a sense of trust rather than on a set of qualifications. Every family or person that shows up will be given a meal.
6-10 restaurants participate in providing the packaged food each week. $10 is spent on each meal, helping restaurants remain open and bring back former employees.
Jackson’s Public Information Officer, Aaron Dimick, loves how well the program is able to benefit both families and the local businesses. The restaurants are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the program and be another part of contributing to the community during the pandemic.
Outside of the practical benefits, the program has also helped in forming a stronger community. “I’m proud that the city and the entire community is responding to do this because some communities don’t work well together or there’s not that cohesiveness with the government and the businesses,” Dimick said, “I’m really proud to see everyone coming together.”
Both the organization and efficiency in distributing the meals have enabled the city to reach as many residents as possible. Dimick said he hopes Jackson’s initiative will lead the way and inspire other cities to provide similar programs for their communities.“This is the first program of its kind in the state of Michigan and it’s really great to see.”
For volunteer Maribeth Leonard, the program has also been an opportunity for personal encounters that touch the heart.
“It was rewarding to see the smiles on people’s faces and the gratitude that they expressed for what we are doing,” she said.
On one occasion, Leonard said she was shocked at the number of cars still waiting after the day’s supply of food had run low. The need for support was very present, she realized.
The program will continue until April 9.
