Photo Caption: Covenant House Michigan chef Lashawn Lee shows off new commercial convection oven and gas range purchased with a Forgotten Harvest Agency Capacity Grant.
Forgotten Harvest, Metro Detroit’s leading food rescue nonprofit, has concluded its three-year Agency Capacity Grant Program with a final round of 33 grants ranging from $2,100 to $30,000. Funded by a portion of a landmark donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the initiative has empowered local food pantry partners to make vital infrastructure and equipment upgrades. Oftentimes, these investments are out of reach for grassroots agencies on the front lines of hunger relief.
Over the life of the program, Forgotten Harvest has awarded 139 grants totaling $4,524,223 to food distribution partners across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. These funds have helped local agencies modernize kitchens, secure cold storage, improve client dignity and safety, and build capacity to meet the rising needs of Metro Detroiters facing food insecurity.
“This program wasn’t just about providing food—it was about building long-term capacity for organizations embedded in their communities,” said Adrian Lewis, President and CEO at Forgotten Harvest. “Thanks to the generosity of MacKenzie Scott, our partners are now better equipped to serve more people, more efficiently and more compassionately.”
The grants supported a wide array of projects, including refrigerated delivery vehicles, expanded food storage space, new technology to streamline client services, and shelters to protect clients and volunteers from Michigan’s harsh weather. Many agencies also received funding for structural improvements such as roof repairs, pest control, and kitchen upgrades, all of which are crucial for the health, safety, and dignity of clients.
Final Round Grant Recipients
In this sixth and final round, Forgotten Harvest awarded grants to 33 organizations across Metro Detroit:
Macomb County
- Bethesda Christian Church – Equipment, supplies, and technology to improve food distribution.
Oakland County
- Chaldean American Ladies (United Community Family Services) – Foundation waterproofing and pest prevention upgrades.
- First Baptist Church of Holly – Roof replacement over food distribution area.
- Haven – Sanitation and allergy-safe storage improvements.
- Hospitality House Food Pantry – Commercial freezer, ramp installation, staff training, and technology upgrades.
- Lighthouse Michigan / South Oakland Shelter – Vehicle purchase to enhance food pick-up logistics.
- Oakland Church of Christ Mobile Pantry – Parking expansion to reduce congestion.
- Temple Israel – Garden of Mitzvot – Expansion of the garden-to-pantry program with packaging and education initiatives.
Wayne County
- Bethlehem Temple of Praise – Food vehicle repairs, packaging supplies, and pest control.
- Body of Christ International – Kitchen renovation for improved food outreach.
- Cass Community Social Services – Freezer compressor replacement and food storage upgrades.
- Christ Church of Redford – New food storage garage and equipment purchase.
- Church of God Belleville – New signage, doors, and storage equipment.
- City Covenant Church – Enhanced shipping and receiving area.
- Communities First, Inc. – Outdoor eating area and kitchen upgrades for nutrition education.
- Covenant House Michigan – HVAC replacement for youth dining hall.
- Crossroads of Michigan – Electrical upgrades, security system, and meal production equipment.
- Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries – Kitchen upgrades across five shelters and culinary training.
- Feed Your Neighborhood Corporation – Mobile pantry equipment upgrades.
- First Baptist Institutional Church – Volunteer training and commercial stove for meal service.
- Genesis HOPE – Transit van purchase to improve food access.
- Gospel Tabernacle Food Pantry – Roof repairs, food transport staffing, mobile pantry supplies.
- Grace Church of the Nazarene – Site security upgrades and kitchen fire suppression improvements.
- Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ – Equipment for mobile pantry efficiency.
- Haven of Hope Community Outreach – Equipment to reduce physical strain for food handling.
- Jalen Rose Leadership Academy – Supplies to improve mobile food distribution logistics.
- Nexus Detroit – Mobile office for food storage, training, and community engagement.
- Redeemed Christian Fellowship Ministries International – Parking lot repaving.
- Redford Interfaith Relief – Generator installation and electric pallet jack for warehouse operations.
- Volunteers of America Michigan – Kitchen equipment to increase meal service efficiency.
- Ward Church – Equipment for volunteer comfort during adverse weather.
- Zaman International – Safety and operational upgrades in its client-choice pantry.
Other
- Morton Development Group, Inc. – Vehicle purchase for mobile food and supply transport.
Building Sustainable Solutions to Hunger
Forgotten Harvest’s grant program has left a lasting impact on Metro Detroit’s food distribution infrastructure. The funding has helped not only to meet immediate needs but also to foster long-term sustainability by empowering local agencies with the tools, facilities, and confidence to grow their operations.
“We’re proud of what our partners have accomplished with these grants,” said Lewis. “This has been a powerful investment in the future of hunger relief in our region.”
For more information about Forgotten Harvest and its partner agencies, visit www.forgottenharvest.org.