Mayor Helps Celebrate Official Opening of New Help Centers in Flint

 November 22, 2016 (FLINT, Mich)  — Through the collaboration of the private and public sector, two Helps Centers officially opened today in Flint. The centers will serve as resource hubs that will help promote healthy physical and mental development and improve the quality of life for individuals and families in the Flint community.

“I want to thank Bill Kerr and his team at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, for partnering with the PepsiCo Foundation, the Mott Foundation, United Way, Bethel United Methodist Church, Greater Holy Temple and the many other community partners who answered the call to make these help centers a reality,” said Mayor Weaver.

The two Help Centers, are based at Bethel United Methodist Church and Greater Holy Temple COGIC. They will offer resources and services including bottled water, a variety of foods and fresh produce, personal care items, nutritional services, physical health services and mental health services.  Services will be provided from two semi-trailers that are staged in the church parking lots to distribute items directly to cars as residents drive through.  The trailers can be removed, reloaded and restaged each day to accommodate Flint residents four days per week at each location.

As the lead organization in the Help Center project, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan will manage the Help Centers which are staffed in cooperation with GST Michigan Works.

“While we are working to recover from the ongoing effects of the water crisis, we know people in Flint still need help,” said Weaver. “We are not out of the woods yet, and this water crisis is much bigger than we can handle alone. But with help from our government, community leaders and partnerships like this, we will emerge from this stronger and better than before. I urge residents to take advantage of these new resources, that’s what they are here for… to help!”

Location of the Community Help Centers:
Bethel United Methodist Church at 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy
Greater Holy Temple COGIC on 6702 N. Dort Hwy

Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday:  10am to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday:  8am to 2:30 p.m.