TECUMSEH — It’s been five years since De’Angelo Boone started the Meal Assistance Program (MAP) through City of Refuge Ministries, and Boone says the need is even greater than when he started in 2020.

“The need increases each year,” he said. “Last year, I thought we would increase maybe 20 to 35 percent, but we have surpassed that in the number of clients we are serving.”

The main culprit, he said, is that the cost of food is going up while wages are not. Additionally, the Tecumseh Service Club closed its pantry at the end of last year, which has brought a few more clients into the program.  In five years, he said,  MAP has delivered over 700,000 pounds of food, created numerous partnerships, and in June 2022, transitioned from a 900-square-foot building in Adrian into the former Hamblin Printing facility, at 109 E. Logan St. in Tecumseh. The building is owned by attorney David Stimpson. 

“We now have 4,000 square feet of space so that means we have the ability to house more food and provide for our community,” Boone said. “The gift of the use of this space has been instrumental in how we have been able to expand our services.”

Boone said last year MAP received more than 190,000 pounds of food from the South Michigan Food Bank, with an additional 13,950 pounds coming from donors in the county. MAP partners with Meijer, Adrian Public Schools, Siena Heights University, Family Medical Center, Orchard Terrace apartments in Tecumseh, and the Boys and Girls Club to address food insecurity. The list of partners continues to grow.

“I am empathetic to the people that walk through the door,” Boone said. “My mom depended on state assistance and the Focus: HOPE program to provide supplemental food support for her family.” 

Boone said he “grew up in church” and attended Pershing High School on Detroit’s east side, “where numerous students benefited from the federal free lunch program.” 

After earning two undergraduate degrees from Michigan State, Boone received a master’s degree in leadership from Siena Heights and is currently pursuing his doctorate in leadership and organizational management from Capella University. Last fall, he was recognized with the Sister Ann Joachim, O.P. Award for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the community through the Meal Assistance Program. He currently is employed by ProMedica as its coordinator of education and programming. 

Boone said the goal of MAP is to assure people have a place to access food as well as other products, including feminine products and similar items, while decreasing food waste. At the onset of the Meal Assistance Program, he developed an app which proved efficient for people to get what they needed and reduce food waste. Since MAP is a full-choice pantry, Boone said, clients can shop for what they want and need. 

“They can use the pantry to supplement their grocery bill so that they can focus their dollars on other things they may need for their households,” he explained.

When the app was launched in 2020, there were about 200 users. Now, he said, there are more than 2,000. 

“It’s something that could be duplicated in other communities,” he said.

The app also helps MAP identify the kind of foods that are in demand. The pantry provides both nutritious foods and what might qualify as “junk foods,” Boone admits with a grin.  MAP is open to all Lenawee residents. 

“We’re a full food support resource for all those in need,” Boone said. 

Boone said he hopes to raise $16,000 by the end of the year to help to fund fresh food distribution. He said that while MAP is grateful for any and all food donations, monetary contributions go even further in feeding the community. Cuts in federal programs are expected to impact both MAP and its partners, Boone said, but he is unsure how those impacts will trickle down to Lenawee County. In the meantime, he hopes to encourage donors to continue to support with financial and food contributions.

“We appreciate the food people drop off and we put it to good use,” he said. “But, we are able to purchase much more with financial support than people can provide by shopping on their own.”

Boone said he has a vision for what the program can be in the community.

“We exist to serve the community, to support those who need it,” he said. “But, we also need support from the community.”

Meal Assistance Program plans benefit dinner

The Meal Assistance Program will celebrate five years of service with a benefit dinner on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m. The dinner will be at The Centre, 1800 U.S. 223, Adrian. For tickets and more information, call 517-442-5880.