Hello FDDR family,

welcome to the FDDR Newsletter #7

We want to welcome the many new viewers into the Family of FDDR supporters. we are growing thanks to the hard work from all of you, this shows how important sharing the live feed and page with others is. Spreading awareness is crucial for FDDR.

The problem of hunger, homelessness and people desperate for help is not only in Detroit, you see it all over our country and all over the world, and sadly it is getting bigger every day!

This year, a leap year, we have an extra day in February, this is great because now we have one more day to reach out to the ones in need with all the support and help we receive from You our extended family.

You prove once again that we are not alone in this. All of you realize that any time of the year is a good time to donate and give a helping hand. All your donations, big or small, help so much and as you can see in our daily live feeds are really, really appreciated by the ones in need.

Every winter is hard for all especially if you are out there calling the streets your home. Yes it is bitter cold outside and know many, many out there need your help now more then ever, We are a Non Profit Charity and a100% volunteer organization dependent on your donations and help.

Thank you very, very much

Mat, Rose & Dina

Are you Looking for a volunteer opportunity that will have an immediate and direct impact on someone in need?

If you live in the Downriver/Detroit area and free once or more a week/month you can become part of our active team to help grow FDDR.

We have various options how you can help, from Public Relations, Promoting, Contact businesses, Sorting donations, Organizing Donation drives, Cooking or assisting with handing out meals on Ziggy our bus.

Also if you have any ideas, suggestions or remarks to help FDDR please Email a bit about yourself at FDDR2Day@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!

The homeless and hungry are not invisible. Any one of us can be homeless because of an unexpected tragedy, job loss, divorce, death, etc. .Even if you have a job many families struggle to pay for everything, rent, insurance, clothing and most important food!

Food should not be a luxury and that is why we feed the homeless and hungry.

It’s so easy to be kind. Please be inspired and help us help others.

We don't live in a perfect world, and there's never going to be a perfect time to give - but there is always a need for your help, the reality is that when you donate your money or time, you help others who need it and it warms your heart.

Some ideas to make a brighter world!

• Help a friend or neighbor in need.
• Volunteer at an organization of your choice. (hint, hint FDDR)
• Buy a gift for your mother or grandmother - just because.
• Write a thank-you note to someone who won’t expect it.
• Find unneeded items in your house and donate them to a charitable organization.
• Organize some family and/or friends to make a meal for FDDR and appreciate being together.
• Support us by creating a fundraiser for FDDR use this link www.facebook.com/fund/feedingDetroitanddownriver/
• Write a check to your charity.
• Find a piece of winter clothing that you haven’t worn all season, and donate it to a charity.

On 2/19/2020 we had a feed in Honor of Frankie. His family and friends organized a Sock and Snack drive, all those donations were handed out to the ones in need.

A little background of Frankie.

Frankie was a beloved son, brother, teacher, and friend. He left us too soon after an unexpected and brief illness.
Frankie was a beautiful and compassionate young man who cared deeply for those less fortunate. He often choose to drive through Detroit on his way to/ from work so he could offer a food bar, Mac Donald meal, or Gatorade to people he would pass on the street.
While there were certainly faster and safer routes, he chose this path because the injustice of poverty and homelessness pained his loving heart.

Thank you very much, Frankie will always be remembered.

Hunger and Food insecurity

When most people think about hunger, their minds often jump to the image of someone sleeping and living on the streets. But in reality, hunger takes many forms and isn’t always obvious, even from up close. 

It is important to know that though hunger and food insecurity are closely related, they are distinct concepts. Hunger refers to a personal, physical sensation of discomfort, while food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the household level.

• Every county in all 50 states is home to people who struggle with hunger.
• Children are more likely to experience hunger than adults.
• Rural counties account for 78 percent of the highest food insecurity rates.
• One study found SNAP benefits aren't enough to cover the cost of a meal in most places in the U.S

More than one in 10 U.S. residents had difficulty knowing when and how they might eat next, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hungry people live in every county in America,

Rural counties account for about 78 percent of the highest food insecurity rates, even though more sheer numbers of people are living with food insecurity in cities.

With unemployment so low and the economy still growing, why are so many Americans going hungry? One culprit might be rising costs for food, shelter and health care.

A survey last year from the Food Research & Action Center, found nearly 16 percent of families lacked the funds to buy food at least once a year,

The risk of hunger was 1.3 times higher in homes with kids, according to that survey, based on a Gallup poll of more than 330,000 people.

Feeding America found the average per-meal cost rose 2 cents to $3.02 across all counties. But the cost per meal spans a wide range: from $2.07 in Willacy County, Texas, to $5.85 in New York County (Manhattan).

However, the average SNAP benefit per person is about $126 per month, which works out to roughly $1.40 per person per meal. A study last year from the Urban Institute pointed out that SNAP benefits aren't enough to cover the cost of a meal in most places in the U.S.

Clearly, people who count on government assistance aren't the only ones going hungry. Millions who make too much to qualify for SNAP are also struggling where food prices are high. All but 3 percent of counties in the U.S. are home to people unlikely to qualify for most federal programs but still have a hard time getting food on the table, according to the research.

Most needed winter items

The cold weather with rain, snow and ice is here and we like to help the ones in need.

If you can help us with Blankets, Tents, Boots, Hoodies, Sweat pants/shirts, Socks, Gloves, Hand-warmers, did we say Hand-warmers, Tarps, Ponchos.

In short anything to keep our family in need on the streets dry and warm.

Many of these items you can find on our wish-list or make a monetary donation via check, gift-card, Cash.me/HelpFDDR , www.PayPal.me/HelpFDDR or you can use any Debit or Credit card on our website here to help us help them!

Let’s change this world 🌎 one smile 😃 or

one kind word at a time ♥️

By Dina Jesse

As FDDR helps provide a meal for our friends on the street we form a certain bond. We only see them for a few minutes a day but we get to know their names and what they seem to like and not like. But ONE thing stays the same, we’re all human.

We all share the same blood, we all share this world! Let’s all share ❤️ love, a smile 😊 or kind word. We all share the loss of loved ones, friends, family or co-workers but we all share things in a different way. So let’s all be kind to one another and lend a kind word!!

Words can mean so many things. They can encourage you, they can hurt you, they can make you feel loved. So let’s make this world a better place by encouraging others. Let’s spread love not hate!! Let’s just simply love one another. Smile at the person in the car that cuts you off, smile at the person ringing you up in a busy store that looks stressed out. 😁 let’s smile more to help change this world.🌎

#FDDR #ONELOVE