Volunteers pack food boxes at Lighthouse; requests on the rise

Volunteers and staff at Lighthouse packed lastminute Thanksgiving food boxes for those in need at the social service organization’s warehouse in Pontiac on Tuesday, as requests for help continue to come in.

Lighthouse is providing a full Thanksgiving meal, and some food for after the holiday, to more than 2,300 local families this year.

Sen. Gary Peters, DMichigan, and his wife, Colleen, both Oakland County natives, were among those who helped pack food boxes Tuesday.

The need for emergency food is up due to inflation, Lighthouse officials say.

Donations can be made at lighthousemi.org. Erica and Jeff Lawson, longtime Lighthouse supporters, are matching donations up to $100,000.

Those in need can contact Lighthouse at 248920-6000. Press 1 for housing assistance or 2 for emergency food.

Food inquiries can also be directed to food@lighthousemi.org.

Lighthouse provides emergency food boxes directly in Clarkston and Pontiac and via a partner organization in Southfield.

The Pontiac location, 46156 Woodward Ave., distributes the boxes from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Clarkston location 5850 Dixie Highway, distributes food from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Both locations will be closed on Friday, Nov. 25.

When you arrive to pick up a box, call (248) 9206000 and press 2. Stay in your vehicle and practice social distancing upon arrival.

Boxes are also available at the St. David’s Food Pantry, 16200 W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield. Pickups are available from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Food delivery is available to those who qualify. To apply, go to lighthousedirect.org/

COURTESY OF LIGHTHOUSE Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, center, and his wife, Colleen, speak with a Lighthouse staff member as they help pack boxes of food for Thanksgiving.

Volunteer Brennan Sullivan helps pack food boxes at Lighthouse, a nonprofit organization in Pontiac that assists the needy.