In the midst of the uncertainty surrounding food assistance benefits during the federal government shutdown, Detroiters can now use a new online map to find pantries nearby.

The city of Detroit launched the emergency resource in response to the disruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, impacting some 1.4 million Michiganders. Late last week, Mayor Mike Duggan announced $1.75 million in federal and state grants for nonprofits combating food insecurity, including Gleaners Community Food Bank, Forgotten Harvest and Metro Food Rescue.

The map features 93 pantries and officials anticipate that number to grow. On the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 5, Duggan visited one of those pantries − a drive-through distribution site outside of the Jesus Tabernacle of Deliverance Ministries church on the east side of the city − and loaded fresh produce into cars.

“We’re going to take care of you,” he said, standing in a line of volunteers in a parking lot near boxes of fruits, vegetables and packaged goods.

The city also put out a call for volunteers to staff the network of emergency food pantries. So far, 1,300 people have already signed up to help, Duggan told the Free Press. That’s more volunteers than sites available, he said, but that’s a “nice problem to have.”

Detroiter Tahia Lee volunteered at the drive-through pantry for the first time. For her, it’s personal.

“Having been down on hard times before and using the pantry − or several of them − I think it’s only right to help out and give back,” said Lee, who arrived around 8 a.m. for her shift. She wants to volunteer again.

Kent Useary, a retired truck driver, came to the drive-through using a mobility scooter. Useary, who does not receive SNAP benefits, is a regular at the pantry. He had thoughts on the disruption: “Give the working people what they deserve.” Useary has limited ability to walk so the pantry helps him out.

“I can’t get around like everybody else to go to the market,” the 65-year-old, who lives near the church, said.

The $1.75 million will last until next week, Duggan said. If more money is needed, Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate is expected to lead council efforts to approve additional funding. Duggan said the city would also approach philanthropic organizations and ask people to donate food if they can.

“This is the way Detroiters are. You need help, they’re there,” he said.

The city’s Department of Neighborhoods and district managers are helping coordinate the efforts. Duggan, in a social media video this week, urged Detroiters to visit when they typically get their SNAP benefits.

It remains unclear when families will get SNAP benefits but recipients will likely see delays. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in response to a court order directing the federal government to decide if it would use contingency funds for benefits, said earlier this week that it would provide partial payments but acknowledged that the process could take a few weeks to several months.

How to get help and volunteer

• To view the city’s food pantry finder, go to www.detroitmi.gov and click “Food Locations” to view the interactive map, searchable by distance and council district. The map includes locations and days and hours of operation. To help out, click “Volunteer @ Pantries” and fill out the form to sign up for four-hour shifts.
• MSU Extension, a SNAP outreach agency, has a community food assistance website, featuring ways to get help, recipes and ways to stretch a food budget. To learn more, go to www.canr.msu.edu/nutrition/community-food-assistance
• To find area food pantries and other resources, go to www.fbcmich.org/food-bank-network; www.pantrynet.org; www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food, or call the Michigan 211 line. Call locations ahead to confirm availability, hours and location.
• The Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches purchases of fruits and vegetables using food assistance benefits up to $20 a day, has lifted the cap and it is now unlimited through the end of the year. Shoppers can also get $40 in Double Up Bonus Bucks, an additional offering, for fresh and frozen produce. For more information, go to doubleupfoodbucks.org. Call the program’s hotline at 866-586-2796 or text 734-213-3999 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday). Find a participating location at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/find-a-location.