Flint Church Food Giveaway in Jeopardy: Funding Delays Leave Community in Need

FLINT, Mich. – A Flint church is in a tough spot awaiting $25,000 that the city council approved to buy supplies from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. The St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Outreach Center, which runs food giveaways twice a month, can’t access these funds due to a delay in Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s approval.

Carl Davis, the president of the outreach center, expressed his worry. “We have a truck coming on the 22nd, and we’re accumulating a tab at the food bank. That’s not ideal,” he said. The center already owes $5,000 and each truck delivery costs around $1,000. They typically serve about 400 people during each giveaway.

This funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and was approved on August 25. It’s the first time the church has received financial support from the city. “We’ve never gotten any money from the city before,” Davis noted. But now, the delay is putting their mission at risk.

Agnes Napier, the treasurer and outreach coordinator, added urgency to their plight. “We serve people in Flint who are in need. We’ve been doing this since 2018,” she said. The church, which suffered heavy fire damage in August, is facing yet another challenge to its service.

Davis warned that without the funds, “We can’t deliver food, and we’re relying on loans and donations to keep going.” The outreach center is anxious about how long it can continue accumulating debt at the food bank.

As of now, attempts to contact the city for an explanation on the hold-up have gone unanswered.

This situation highlights a wider issue affecting many community organizations. According to recent data from the Michigan Association of United Ways, food insecurity is on the rise, affecting nearly 1 in 8 residents in Michigan. This underscores the importance of timely support for initiatives like this one, which play a critical role in feeding vulnerable populations.

In recent months, social media has seen a growing conversation about food banks and community outreach, with hashtags like #FoodSecurity and #SupportLocal gaining traction. People are sharing their experiences and pushing for faster government action.

As Flint faces this uncertainty, the community remains hopeful that the funds will come through soon. The commitment of the St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Outreach Center is a reminder of the vital role such organizations play in our lives.

For more on food insecurity in Michigan, check out the Michigan Association of United Ways report.

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