A Canton-based food pantry that feeds hundreds of families across western Wayne County is getting a boost as it heads toward the Thanksgiving holiday.
Open Door Ministry, which feeds about 430 struggling families every week, has been chosen for a food drive by Bayloff Stamped Products, a Belleville-based auto parts stamping plant, and Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Westland.
Adrienne Erwine, Bayloff administrative assistant, said it's important for those who have jobs and food to help those who don't.
"We recognize that we are very blessed," Erwine said. "We have jobs. We don't have to worry about providing for our families. We also have the capability to give back to our community."
Open Door helps families from communities such as Canton, Westland, Plymouth, Wayne, Livonia, Redford, Garden City, Belleville and others as far west as Ypsilanti and as far east as Inkster.
The latest food drive occurs 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Texas Roadhouse on Ford Road, east of Newburgh, in Westland. Erwine said items such as cereal, canned goods and "anything that has a long shelf life" may be dropped off at the restaurant. Donors who give five or more items will be entered into a drawing for two main floor, general admission tickets to country singer Kip Moore's concert Dec. 8 at The Fillmore in Detroit. Everyone who donates will get a $5 coupon for Texas Roadhouse.
Steve Darr, Open Door Ministry director, said the organization depends on the help of the community. He said businesses, scouting organizations, school groups and many others pitch in.
"It just blesses my heart to see all all these organizations come out to help us or donate money," he said. "We do depend very much on all the donations we get."
Open Door has distributed about 900,000 pounds of food so far this year, compared to 1.1 million pounds for all of last year. It gets much of its food from Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank, but it also relies on help from local groups.
Open Door is in its 14th year. During that time, it has touched the lives of 6.500 families and more than 20,000 people within its service area.
"That's huge," Darr said. "That many people at one time or another have had a need for food assistance."
For more on Open Door, go to http://www.opendoorfoodministry.org/.