To view the video associated with this resource list head HERE
Our panel:
Preschool and WLES Social Worker Amber Masterson, (734) 449-2051 x1036, amber.masterson@wlps.net
WLECC Family Service Worker Charlie Basham, (734) 449-4464 ext. 4001, charlie.basham@wlps.net
WLMS/HS Social Worker, Maura Zindler, (734) 449-4461 ext. 3009, maura.zindler@wlps.net
For families in need of assistance around the holidays.
Thanksgiving meal
- Northfield Human Services
- Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill in Depot Town, Ypsilanti offering Thanksgiving meal. For more information, call the restaurant at (734) 483-1870.
- Free meal at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Thursday, November 22 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Registration is required. Space is limited. Please call the Chelsea Senior Center at 734-475-9242 to register.
Free Thanksgiving Meals 2018
Ann Arbor:
Cottage Inn Pizza: Thursday 11/22/18 from 10am-2pm at 512 E William St. in Ann Arbor, MI (Phone: 734-663-3379)
Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor: Thursday 11/22/18 from 11:15am-5pm at 2275 Platt Rd. Ann Arbor, MI (Phone: 734-477-9135)
Ypsilanti:
Brown Chapel AME Church: Wednesday 11/21/18 from 12pm-2pm at 1043 W Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI (734-482-7050)
Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill: Thursday 11/22/18 from 11am-3pm at 39 E Cross St. Ypsilanti, MI (Depot Town) (734-483-1870)
Greater Faith Mission: Thursday 11/22/18 from 11am-4pm at 670 Onandaga Ave. Ypsilanti, MI(734-217-9014)
Other Washtenaw County Cities:
Dexter Senior Center: Friday 11/23/18 from 12pm- 2pm at 7720 Ann Arbor St. Dexter, MI (734-426-7737)
Milan Methodist Church: Thursday 11/22 begins at 3pm at 950 Arkona Rd. Milan, MI 48106(734-439-2414)
The list above and a listing of all food distribution sites throughout the county can be seen at www.foodgatherers.org/needfood
If you have any questions you can contact Food Gatherers at 734-761-2796 or the United Way at 2-1-1. Of note, Food Gatherers is closed on Thanksgiving day.
Christmas presents
- Northfield Human Services
- Salvation Army Washtenaw County takes the application in October only.
- ONLY for Livingston County residents-Salvation Army. Livingston County has one more sign up date tomorrow. Go to (not the store) but Salvation army office 3600 E. Grand River across from Carson’s and Payless shoes, just past Speedway) Nov. 17 between 12pm-7pm. Bring picture ID, birth certificate or immunization record or school ID, Proof of Livingston County Residence (lease, utility bill, etc.) and proof of monthly income
- Toys for Tots
- Go to https://www.toysfortots.org/. Click on Donate/Request Toy. Select State and County. Information will be listed about how and where to apply.
Any other bill assistance
- Northfield Human Services www.northfieldhumanservices.org 10 Jennings Rd. Whitmore Lake MI 48189 | P: 734.449.0110 | F: 734.449.0840. Offer Thanksgiving and Christmas meal, adopt a family, toys for tots, Easter hams, school backpacks.
- Friends in Deed Funds available for utility bills. Also provides information and appropriate referrals to clients for services provided by other agencies. Monday-Friday 9:30am-12pm 1196 Ecorse Road Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (734) 484-4357 office@friendsindeed.info www.friendsindeed.info
- Department of Human Services State Emergency Relief: This program may help low-income households pay part of their heating or electric bills and may help keep their utilities in service or have service restored. Anyone can apply for help. Available year-round.22 Center Street Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (734) 481-2000
- www.ewashtenaw.org
- www.michigan.gov/dhs
- DTE Energy offers several programs to assist customers with paying their energy bills. The programs include: Winter Protection Program, Home Heating Credit, State Emergency Relief Program, THAW, etc. (800) 477-4747 www.dteenergy.com
- AT&T Lifeline Program: Provides discounted service only for eligible customers. To determine if Lifeline is available at your principal residence, please contact a Lifeline customer service representative. (800) 377-9450. www.att.com
- SOS Community Services and food pantry in Ypsilanti: Offers food, utility assistance, bus tokens, and other resources to overcome financial emergencies. We help families in public housing avoid eviction, find work, and access education. SOS offers parenting support, early childhood intervention, and educational summer activities. 101 S. Huron St. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-485-8730 info@soscs.org
For those who are lucky enough to be in a position of giving, what are some of the best ways to give within our community?
-WLHS
-National Honor Society Giving Tree
-National Honor Society Canned Food Drive
-WLCR Cold Turkey Swim, next Wednesday 1-3 p.m. Bring 4 canned goods and you can
swim for free.
-Toys for Tots collection box
-WLES
Donate to Northfield Human Services
Snow pant drive
-WLECC
Resource Center
-Community?
- Northfield Human Services in Whitmore Lake 734.449.0110
- Ele’s Place: Healing center for grieving children and teens who have experienced a death. www.elesplace.org 734.929.6640
- Project Night http://www.projectnightnight.org/: Project Night Night donates packages (containing a blanket, aage-appropriatechildren’s book and stuffed animal in a canvas tote bag) to children who have experienced trauma or are in temporary living situations.
- Project Linus (donating blankets) https://www.projectlinus.org/ Provide security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through the gifts of new handmade blankets.
Holidays aren’t the most wonderful time of year for everyone. For our students in particular, school is a safe place and Holiday break can be long where we don’t have access to them.
Holidays can be very hard for many people. What are some of the struggles our students/families face this time of year?
- Families who are grieving someone that has died often find the holidays extra difficult, gift giving, food, substance abuse or suicidal ideation may increase during the holidays, utilities, etc.
- One thing that can be hard for students is lack of consistency. When school is in session, schedules are structured and when there is a holiday break, schedules become less predictable. While some students love and crave the down time, others miss the consistent and structured schedule.
- Food Gatherers Dec. 6th at WLES 2-4pm. Come pick up free box of fruit and vegetables
- Northfield Human Services food pantry
For those who are struggling around the holidays, any coping strategies, resources, advice?
- Play, read and spend time together. Limit screen time. Play board games and card games, build things, exercise, spend time outside if possible.
For those who are friends of someone who is struggling around the holidays, what are some recommendations/resources out there, ways they can support?
- Ozone House 734-662-2222 (housing, counseling, suicide prevention, hot meals)
- Corner Health Center in Ypsi (affordable health care and counseling)
- Alcohol/Drugs
- Home of New Vision 734-975-1602
- Dawn Farm 734-485-8725
- Alcoholic Anonymous 734-482-5700
- Al-Anon/Alateen 734-995-4949
- ACCESS 734-544-3050
- OK2Say allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students or schools
- Domestic Violence
- Safe House 734-995-5444
- Suicide Prevention
- Ozone House 734-662-2222
- National Hotline 800-273-8255
- Trevor Helpline (LGBTQ) 866-488-7386
- Mental Health Services
- UofM Psych Emergency Room 734-936-5900
- Hot Meals
- Ozone House Drop-In Center (Ypsilanti): 734-485-2222
- Delonis Center (Adult): 734-662-2829
- Salvation Army (Ypsilanti): 734-482-4700
- Salvation Army (Ann Arbor): 734-332-3474
- Ann Arbor Community Center (734) 662-3128 By appointment. Call ahead. 625 N. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104
- Bryant Community Center (734) 477-0292
- Perishable and Nonperishable Food 3 W. Eden Ct. Ann Arbor, MI 48108
- Frequency: Two visits per income eligible household per month
- Catholic Social Services-Emergency Food Program (734) 662-446 The Emergency Food program distributes groceries and personal care items to low-income families and individuals on a monthly and/or emergency basis. Clients are also given referrals to other agencies for clothing and other critical services as needed.
- Northside Community Center Tues: 3pm – 7pm, Thurs: 9am – 3pm, 2nd & 4th Sat: 1-4pm 815 Taylor St Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Department of Human Services: (734) 481-2000 Manages food stamp programs to supplement income of families or individuals in need. State of Michigan DHS website includes explanation of programs offered. 22 Center Street Ypsilanti, MI
- First Baptist Church: (734) 663-9376 A free dinner is served every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30pm. 517 E. Washington Ann Arbor, MI 48104
- Hope Center: (734) 484-2989 Hope Clinic serves free meals on Saturdays and Sundays 4-5pm at the Hope Center. No I.D. or proof of income required, diners sign in to receive their meal. Emergency groceries are distributed by appointment on Wednesday afternoons and Friday and Saturday mornings at the Hope Center. A household is eligible to receive emergency groceries once a month. 518 Harriet Ypsilanti, MI 48198
- Robert J. Delonis Center (Shelter Association of Washtenaw County) (734) 662-2829 Offers free meals. Lunch Monday thru Friday from 12-1pm, Saturday & Sunday from 2:30-3:30pm.Dinner Monday thru Friday from 5:30-6pm 312 W. Huron Street Ann Arbor, MI