Detroit Native Looks To Provide Meals For Families In Need

DETROIT — Local Detroit entrepreneurs are coming together to to provide meals for Detroit families in need on Friday.

Chef Max Hardy, of the nonprofit 86 Hunger, Each One Help One, Tiffany Lean on Me, Fenkell Gospel Temple, Hon. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, M.Ed. and Team Wellness will give over 1,000 meals across multiple areas throughout the city as part of this year's, Detroit Orange Friday.

"Orange Friday is a tradition I brought to Detroit from my time collaborating with the Food Bank For New York City," Hardy of COOP Detroit and JEDs Detroit said. "This initiative was created as an alternative to Black Friday to provide volunteer opportunities to Detroiters who want to give back this holiday season, but more importantly, we have to highlight hunger awareness and the increasing need for food pantries in our community."

Some of the stops of Detroit's Orange Friday will include the Team Wellness East, 3646 Mt. Elliot, Detroit, MI 48207 at 11:00 a.m. and the Rosa Parks Transit Center on 360 Michigan Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48226 at 2 p.m.

The event will be anchored by the Royal Bird Food Truck. Its menu will be prepared in individual boxes, which include fish and grits with bottled water.

The meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The event is walk-up only, and the team of volunteers requested that all families and individuals wear a mask and stand 6 feet apart to follow all local COVID-19 restrictions.

Chef Max Hardy is a Detroit native and owner of COOP Detroit and JEDs Detroit. He founded the "One Chef Can 86 Hunger," which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring awareness and end hunger in urban areas.

"I am extremely proud to work alongside a team that chose people over consumerism this season," Hardy said. "Orange is the color of hunger awareness; through our efforts, I want to one day eradicate food insecurity. Despite the hardships of COVID-19, we are blessed to have a community that can come together to support one another."