BY DON RUSH
Assistant Publisher
An 18-month odessey could soon end for Oxford/Orion Fish. It is not that FISH has been swimming upstream, against a strong current to find a bigger area for their growing charity — it’s just, well, there’s been a few bends in the creek.
Since 1973 FISH has doled out edible assistance from their pantry at Oxford’s Immanual Congregational Church, at the corner of Hovey and Dennison streets. In that time, the need to help area individuals and families has grown so much so, they need more space.
According to FISH president Margaret Monprode, about a year and half ago the group set out to find a new home. ‘But we knew if we wanted a bigger space, it would cost money. We would need a revenue soure. So, our early idea was to have a resale shop,? she said. ‘Each time we got close to closing the deal something happened. A landlord backed out, or we found a better deal.?
It seems they have found a better deal. The their last meeting on June 22, FISH was told they could use Thomas United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall for a buck. The folks at FISH have accepted the deal, and are now waiting final approval from the congregation in Thomas. (Editor’s Note: for those new to the area, Thomas (Station) was once a bussling little community. It pretty much was destroyed by the tornado of 1896. It is now part of Oxford Township, located north of downtown, on the east side of M-24.)
This turn of events has all but put an end to the idea of leasing the old Oxford Fire Hall from Oxford Village.
‘If this goes through,? Monprode said, ‘We will not have to open a retail shop — we’ll just continue to opperate our ‘clothes closet.??
The Thomas deal would also mean FISH could consolidate operations. While the food pantry is in Oxford, currently, Royal Roofing in Orion Township donates storage space to FISH.
‘It would mean everything could be under one roof,? she said.
* * *
According to FISH volunteer and Pantry Coordinator Val Cass, the move to Thomas will triple the size of their current pantry to 1,200 square feet. ‘Plus that same amount in the basement,? she said.
Cass said FISH fills at least five food orders a day from area residents, ‘Yesterday, we had nine orders.?
According to information provided by FISH, in 2000, FISH received 1,950 calls for assistance. In 2004 there were 4,038 calls — representing 1,042 families or 3,003 people. In 2003, FISH provided 92,610 pounds of food — or 35,650 meals.
The mix of those in need, is indeed, diverse.
‘Sadly,? Cass said, ‘some seniors — who honestly and truly beleived that when they were working that Social Security would cover them — can now bareley make ends meet. We have people who are spreading their resources thin with a lower paying job. Some thought they would be able to find a job, but haven’t. We have lots of single moms. In the winter, young people call for help. They work construction-type jobs in the summer, but there’s no work in the winter.?
FISH has hundreds of volunteers who help each year — some are bookkeepers, some are drivers. Volunteers pack and distribute holiday dinners. ‘We’re always looking for volunteers,? Monprode said.
According to Cass, currently 20 volunteers rotate into the pantry each month in teams of two. Appoinment times are set with clients for food pickup. The pantry volunteer-team on duty fills the food order.
‘We are so blessed in the Oxford-Orion area,? Cass said. ‘The meals we are able to provide is better than any I’ve seen from other food banks — and it is all because of the generosity of the community.?
As an example of the community’s caring, she cited the recent US Postal food drive. ‘Postal workers from the Oxford and Orion post offices collected 12 tons of food from their customers. The majority of our food, about 80 percent, is donated. Another 15 percent comes from the Oakland County Food Bank and about five percent comes from the Forgotten Harvest program.?
The Forgotten Harvest program provides dairy, produce and meat products.
* * *
Those in need call the FISH phone, 248-693-0638 and leave their name, number and how they need assistance. Throughout the day, volunteers will answer the messages, determine the eligibility of clients and how to help them.