The University of Michigan’s Maize & Blue Cupboard (MBC) has partnered with Ann Arbor-based Food Gatherers and the College of Engineering to create a mobile food distribution program on the University’s North Campus. The program makes MBC resources more accessible to individuals living on North Campus while staying within COVID-19 safety and health guidelines.
The first mobile distribution date was September 9 where delivery trucks dropped off food pallets for MBC shoppers in the northwest Parking Lot 10, located along Hubbard Road on North Campus. 150 shoppers participated. More than 200 shoppers visited the September 23 distribution.
Additional dates include October 7, October 21, November 4 and November 18.
Volunteers are assigned to each pallet station so that they can stock a food item on a distribution table. Vegetables will be pre-bagged and non-perishables pre-boxed for safety.
In addition to food distributions, the MBC offers additional support through educational components. These include information on student resources from the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Affairs, the College of Engineering, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Legal Services, University Health Services, and the Center for the Education of Women as well as nutritional information, recipes that include food found at a food pantry, and much more.
Reservations are required to participate in the mobile distribution and can be made on the Maize & Blue Cupboard website.
Volunteers and donations of resources are also needed. Visit MBC to see how you can help.