Oakland County Deputy Executive Madiha Tariq, on behalf of Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, joined leaders from the Southfield Public School District (SPSD) and Ballmer Group, along with community partners, to celebrate the grand opening of a new food pantry aimed to increase food access for families of students enrolled in the SPSD. The pantry, located at the Kennedy Learning Center in Southfield, gives students and families convenient access to essential groceries on campus.

“Thanks to the leadership of County Executive Coulter, Oakland County is proud to partner with the SPSD and contribute to the opening of this food pantry to help reduce barriers that can stand in the way of a child’s success,” said Tariq. “When families are supported and kids have reliable access to food, students are better positioned to learn and thrive.”

More than one in 10 Oakland County residents experience food insecurity, including 31,830 children. Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as when people don’t have enough to eat and don’t know where their next meal will come from.

Last fall, when millions of Michiganders lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the federal government shutdown, local pantries played a vital role in helping residents in need. Food insecurity is still an issue, with rising costs and increased restrictions on who can receive SNAP benefits. The new food pantry at the Kennedy Learning Center joins the many pantries in Oakland County that serve as frontline community resources to distribute groceries directly to families facing hunger.

“Our commitment to SPSD scholars extends beyond the classroom. A food pantry for our families will provide a dependable source of support and help ease the difficult choices that come with meeting basic needs,” said SPSD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Green. “We anticipate that this resource will reduce stress for families and help scholars come to school nourished, focused and ready to learn. Above all, we want our families to know that they’re supported and that their well-being matters.”

SPSD scholars, families and staff can access the pantry with no appointments needed on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-11 a.m., through Door 18 on the west side of the building. For a different day or time, call or text a community health worker at 248-285-8488 to make an appointment. 

School-based food pantries can provide families with safe and supportive ways to access nutritious food while also serving as connection points for other student and family supports. 

Community health workers from the Oakland Connects program are conveniently located at the Kennedy Learning Center and can engage with families who want to be connected to additional health, wellness and community resources.

“As a board, we believe ensuring students have what they need to thrive includes helping families access basic necessities with dignity and care,” said SPSD Board of Education President Talisha Belk. “This food pantry is a meaningful expression of that commitment and of what we can accomplish alongside our community partners. We want every SPSD family to know: You belong here, and we’re here to support you.”

Oakland County received a $4,668,000 three-year grant from Ballmer Group to expand the supportive services of Oakland Connects — a free program that helps guide residents through health, housing and nonmedical supports, such as food and transportation assistance — within the SPSD and the Hazel Park Public School District. The investment funds community health workers and mental health navigators to help ensure families have direct access to personalized, wraparound supports that promote stability, well-being and student success. 

“Students are better able to learn and pursue their goals when their families can reliably meet basic needs,” said Brandon Gleaton, senior portfolio manager for Ballmer Group Southeast Michigan. “By bringing food access and other supports together in a trusted school setting, this partnership makes it easier for families to get help when they need it and builds a stronger foundation for long-term stability and opportunity.”

For additional information about Oakland Connects, visit OaklandCountyMI.gov/OaklandConnects or call 800-848-5533. To connect with food, housing, health and other resources, contact the Oakland Connects Helpline by calling 800-848-5533 or emailing OCHelpline@OaklandCountyMI.gov, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For up-to-date public health and housing information, follow PublicHealthOC on Facebook, X or Instagram.

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