Blessings in a Backpack - Dearborn

05/25/2026

‼️The drive-up distribution scheduled for Thursday (5/28) at Oakland County Health Department is canceled.

Gleaners is hosting drive-up food distributions this week, which are free and open to the public. Anyone in need of food is encouraged to attend and will receive over 35 pounds of nutritious groceries, like milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and other shelf-stable items while supplies last.
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To find other resources and view the schedule, visit pantrynet.org.
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While not required, sign up for the online registration system to expedite your visit and better serve you.
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Gleaners is an equal opportunity provider.
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Gleaners monitors the weather for safe operating temperatures and conditions for our staff and guests. Please check PantryNet, Facebook, or Instagram for cancellations.

04/27/2026

Spotlight: Lori Phillips

For more than 10 years, Lori has been a steady and joyful presence in the Blessings in a Backpack - Dearborn.

Week after week, she shows up to help pack 265 bags of food, often bringing along family and friends to be part of the impact. Her energy fills the room, and her love for cooking brings people together during each packing session.

Lori’s talents extend far beyond packing. With professional kitchen experience, she has led meal preparation for multiple fundraising events, including a Mardi Gras-themed mac and cheese dinner. Her beautifully decorated cookies have also become a favorite across Wayne County and have supported fundraising efforts time and time again.

Even with a full schedule, Lori continues to make time to support kids in her community. Thank you, Lori, for the heart you bring to this work.

03/30/2026

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/30/nx-s1-5764304/do-school-lunches-really-need-an-overhaul

Lots of really interesting information nested in here on the per-meal cost of school lunches and the USDA reimbursements available to school districts.

None of this directly applies to Blessings in a Backpack of course, but the practical logistics of putting healthy food in students' hands is something we're always thinking about.

School lunch has been revamped a ton over the last two decades. Now, the Trump administration wants to rejigger the menu once more to align with its Make America Healthy Again agenda. That means more meat. More dairy. But do schools really need another menu overhaul? And could they even afford it?On...

03/23/2026

HELP FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN DEARBORN! Dearborn First UMC is collecting CHEWY, CHOCOLATE CHIP (nut-free, Halal-friendly) granola bars for Blessings in a Backpack - Dearborn now THRU APRIL 11. LOTS OF WAYS TO DONATE - Bring them to the church on Sunday mornings or during weekday business hours, Order them from your favorite online retailer and send them to the church (22124 Garrison St., Dearborn, MI 48124), OR send a check payable to Dearborn First UMC in the memo OR click the link to give a financial donation online.
https://giving.servantkeeper.com/Dearborn-First-UMC/2435

02/18/2026

To everyone who came out to last night’s Mardi Gras dinner — THANK YOU!

I really felt your support for the program, and had a great time talking and eating with you.

Thanks to Erin, Kevin, Tom, Jan, Halim, and probably a few folks I’m forgetting for all the help with set-up and clean-up. And huge thanks to Lori and Matt - we definitely could not have managed this without you!

Send a message to learn more

02/17/2026

Tonight's the night!

Christ Episcopal Church is located at 120 North Military, in Dearborn - corner of Military and Cherry Hill.

We'll be serving food from 6:00pm til 8:00pm, and we'd be so happy to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/914252581126096

Send a message to learn more

02/16/2026

Tomorrow's the night! See you at Christ Episcopal Church Dearborn, beginning at 6:00pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/914252581126096/

Send a message to learn more

02/03/2026

We are excited for Christ Episcopal Church's Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday mac-and-cheese dinner -- just two weeks away!

https://www.facebook.com/events/914252581126096

Send a message to learn more

01/29/2026

Big thanks to the Edsel Ford High School National Honor Society for packing bags of weekend food for elementary school students in Dearborn! Along with kid-friendly, shelf-stable food items like boxed mac & cheese, fruit cups, and organic milk, NHS students included personalized notes in each bag.

Blessings in a Backpack provides supplemental weekend nutrition to over 265 students at risk of hunger at seven Dearborn elementary schools throughout the school year.

We had a great time working with the Edsel team—and we know the elementary students were excited to receive these!

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