If you are in need, or know someone in need, please call our 24 hour Hotline at 810.695.1880 or CLICK HERE to contact us through email by using this form. A volunteer will contact you Monday - Thursday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
FISH’s primary objective is to provide emergency and temporary food assistance and agency referrals. When one thinks of the community of Grand Blanc, the perception that there are “needy” residents does not come to mind. However, no community is without struggling residents. As the second largest community in Genesee County, Flint being the first, Grand Blanc has, based on the 2015 Genesee Intermediate School District Report, the largest public school enrollment, with 8,475 students, while Flint had 7,110. Of those 8,475 students, 2,542 received Free/Reduced lunch in the 2015-2016 school year which represents nearly 1 in 3 students. The number of Free Lunches does not include preschool and graduated siblings living at home, homes with only pre schoolers, childless struggling young adults, veterans or seniors, which significantly increases the number of residents who need help.
To support our Pantry efforts, FISH conducts a Spring and Fall “Feed the Bus” event which helps stock the Pantry. This event alone, does not sufficiently maintain the quantity of items needed. FISH also partners with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and relies heavily on the donations from churches, schools, clubs, individuals and businesses of needed items and the funding needed to maintain the demand of the Food Pantry. While the supply of foods (as allowed by inventory) equates to approximately one week’s supply, residents may only qualify a mere 3 times a year. Overall, the demand has increased 150% from 146 in 2005 to 369 in 2015. Until FISH is able maintain a sufficient and consistent supply, we are unable to increase the number of times residents can apply for more foods per year. For those on barely making ends meet or faced with heavy medical costs, some are faced with the choice of buying foods or gas to travel to a part-time job, get to a doctor appointment, paying rent, a utility bill or car repairs. FISH asks for your compassion is helping us help our neighbors.
In addition to the Pantry providing emergency foods three times a year, FISH of Grand Blanc, through the generous support and giving hearts of our community, offers additional services to our neighbors. These include our Clothes Closet, Christmas Baskets and Back to School Event.
A spring “Shoe/Winter Boots/Winter Coat Drive” to provide new and gently used shoes, winter boots and winter coats. Items not distributed will go to the Clothes Closet for future distribution.
Clothing donations are accepted at the Perry Center (located at the corner of Perry and Saginaw) during regular school hours from September to June.
Please call our Hot Line at 810.695.1880 to schedule delivery or pick up of donations of non-perishable foods, hygiene, paper and cleaning products.
*All donations and contributions to FISH of Grand Blanc stay within Grand Blanc (However, dated or non-appropriate school age clothing is divided between Holy Family Catholic Church of Grand Blanc and the South End Soup Kitchen in Burton to be distributed free of cost).
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” ― John Holmes
