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This Oakland County church has opened a free food pantry amid the coronavirus pandemic

Posted at 6:36 PM, Mar 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-18 14:36:01-04

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) — In these uncertain times, it is so important that we show you humanity and kindness at every turn.

7 Action News Reporter Andrea Isom shares another glowing example of goodness, right here at home.

As we embrace the new way, we engage with one another, and though it is different, it does not mean we forget.

“Oakland County has traditionally been considered the wealthiest county here in Michigan," says Rev. Chris Yaw of St. David's Episcopal Church in Southfield. "But the reality is we have 4,000 homeless people in Oakland County. Two thousand of them are children. So, the average age of a homeless person in Oakland County is 9 years old."

Imagine that being your reality every day, but especially now.

Well, the doors at St. David’s Episcopal Church are open. And Rev. Yaw feels so blessed to offer this blessing.

“The church is adapting and in an appropriate way, we are offering aid. For the 4,000 people that are homeless in this area, the need is much more acute, because they don’t have the money to go to the grocery store," Rev. Yaw says.

The sign outside the church reads, "Free food pantry open, drive up honk horn."

“We will then go out to the car, maintaining an appropriate distance. We will fill a box of food, we will bring it out and put it in their truck, avoiding all human contact and being able to meet the need in the best way that we can," Rev. Yaw says.

St. David’s Episcopal Church has taken over as the food distribution site for south Oakland County on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And they welcome people to “drop off” non-perishable items at the church on those days, too.

If you would like to volunteer to box food or if you would like to donate food, please go to the website, southoaklandshelter.com for the hours and location.

St. David’s Episcopal Church is located at 162000 West Twelve Mile Rd. in Southfield.