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Food banks are one of the key reasons the city of Detroit is working towards ending poverty and food insecurity

By Serenity Smith | August 23, 2021

Picture of fresh fruit taken by Serenity Smith at Whole Foods

Catherine Hines has had a front row seat to Forgotten Harvest’s impact on her community. 

“Families on my block really took a hard hit once the pandemic started,” said Hines, 28, from Detroit. “I knew Forgotten Harvest worked with packaging food to send off to families in need so I volunteered as much as I could to ensure that those who needed food would have access to it.” 

“Food Banks are the primary entities that collect food and distribute to the appropriate organizations that are responsible for directly distributing food to the people such as a food pantry. Often when food is donated, it may not be the most nutritious so Food Banks will also provide nutritious and low cost food options for the public facing agencies” said Phillip Seaborn, Assistant Director for Undergraduate Diversity at Michigan State University. 

By Seaborn working at the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources, he said why he believes that food banks and food pantries can help stop poverty, but more importantly how they can be a tool to help those who may already be improvised sustain long enough to potentially pull themselves out of the situation. 

“Food Banks and pantries are critical assets in helping those who need it receive access to one of the most critical needs, food. If you are trying to provide for yourself or your family and you’re barely getting by, food pantries can help lighten the burden because at the very least, you don’t have to worry about food,” said Seaborn. 

Seaborn said, “While I believe Food Banks and Pantries can “help” stop and reverse poverty, they are only one piece of the puzzle and many other factors must considered when looking at poverty as a whole.” 

According to an article with Civil Eats, “each person is given 30 pounds of food including produce and milk,” said Anna Clark with Planet Detroit. She said how the U.S Department of Agriculture estimates that between 30 and 40 percent of the nation’s food supply goes to waste.

News

Students from Detroit react to the mandatory order for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine for fall

By Serenity Smith | August 17, 2021

Universities are requiring that all students and faculty receive the COVID-19 vaccine before returning for fall semester days after the CDC updated the masks guidelines. Antonio Ward explains why he has disdain for this order. 

Picture of vaccination information at CVS taken by Serenity Smith

“I feel like requiring students to take the vaccine is ridiculous,” said University Of Michigan undergraduate student Antonio Ward Jr., 20, from Detroit. “There was never a time until now where vaccines are being required upon individuals which ultimately strips away their natural born and constitutional right.” 

Ward said that although he understands that these institutions are trying to ensure the safety of all students and faculty members, he feels as though people have still gotten the virus even with the vaccine so mandating the order isn’t necessarily the way to go. Antonio Ward Jr. said he feels like “requiring students to take the vaccine is ridiculous.” Photo courtesy of Antonio Ward Jr.

 “You must still follow the guidelines; you can be safe, wear a mask, and social distance without receiving the vaccine,” Ward said. 

Monet Heath tells why she’s playing devils advocate when it comes to the mandate for the vaccine this fall.

News

Juneteenth becomes a holiday and “part of history that was skipped” is recognized

By Serenity Smith | July 6, 2021

People in Detroit expressed their passion for the holiday Juneteenth. From mural paintings to graffiti art for sale. Some asked themselves if the holiday is worth celebrating considering how one celebrates Black History in February. 

Terrence Washington said it’s time Juneteenth gets its proper recognition. “I think we should make it feel like a relevant holiday because it’s a piece of our history that was skipped and not taught in elementary, middle, or high school,” said Washington, 19, from Detroit Michigan. “We were only taught about the stealing and massacring of our people.”

Juneteenth, or Jubilee Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States. It highlights African American culture and how enslaved people were notified of their freedom.