STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Detroit and surrounding communities

CLIENTS SERVED: Individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, medical crises, or other significant needs. Some programs are designed specifically around the needs of the local Jewish community, while other assistance may be available more broadly on a case-by-case basis.

DESCRIPTION: Detroit Chesed is a volunteer-driven community organization that identifies unmet needs and provides practical assistance while emphasizing privacy and dignity. Assistance ranges from food and household essentials to case-by-case support for people facing an unexpected hardship.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS:

• Tomchei Shabbos: Provides weekly “Shabbat in a Box” packages to participating families experiencing financial hardship. Packages include fresh produce, proteins, challah, grape juice and other Shabbat essentials, delivered discreetly.
• Lunches with Love: Provides homemade school lunches to children in families experiencing financial, medical or other crises. Volunteers prepare and deliver lunches discreetly to the family’s home.
• Home Goods: Allows families rebuilding after a fire, flood or other hardship to “shop” for brand-new household essentials, including towels, bedding, linens, housewares and small kitchen appliances.
• Baby Boom: Provides new parents experiencing financial hardship with baskets of baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, formula, baby wash and other newborn necessities.
• Sisters: Provides divorced women with community, emotional support, practical resources and connections as they navigate the transition following divorce.
• Special Projects: Provides case-by-case assistance when an individual or family has a need that does not fit one of the regular programs. Examples on the current site include helping with furniture after a medical crisis, school supplies and other urgent needs.

HOW TO APPLY: Call Detroit Chesed to ask for help. Cases are handled on a case-by-case basis for needs outside regular programs.