Wayne County Foundation has been working this year to address food insecurity through increasing collaboration opportunities for community partners and stretching donations as far as possible.
Those big-picture efforts have taken on added urgency after Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were paused during the federal government shutdown.
Foundation leaders identified food insecurity as an issue to address, so earlier this year, they launched an initiative to impact the need, according to Brian Schleeper, WCF’s director of nonprofit engagement.
Several steps have been taken, including partnering with More Than Food Consulting. Its consultants helped lead a September workshop that approximately 40 community partners and elected officials attended.
According to its website, More Than Food offers innovative, research-based practices to help food banks and pantries increase nutrition and economic security, build capacity, and inspire action.
WCF staff also have met with people affiliated with local food pantries and related efforts to learn more about their work and look for ways to partner with and support them.
In addition, WCF convened a group of local funders and other partners to try and determine how to best direct resources and maximize the impact.
The next meeting of invited community partners takes place Nov. 17 to gather feedback on participants’ experiences of working in food insecurity, share tips and discuss next steps.
Part of that gathering will include discussion about the recently disbanded Wayne County Food Council. Schleeper said the group worked on a variety of projects related to food access and food insecurity until this summer.
Foundation staff have talked with the food council’s leadership about ways to continue the work they were doing as part of the foundation’s current project, as Schleeper said there’s significant alignment between the two. The Nov. 17 meeting’s participants will discuss ways to build on the council’s work and continue moving it forward.
For more information on how to get involved, contact Schleeper at brian@waynecountyfoundation.org or 765-962-1638.
How to help
More Than Food Consulting, which is assisting Wayne County Foundation, says that financial donations to food pantries can have the biggest impact. Those wanting to donate food are encouraged to contact their pantry of choice to ask what items are most needed. Residents also can volunteer to staff additional food distributions.
WWN maintains a list of active food pantries and related health and support efforts at wwn.to/healthsupport.
A version of this article appeared in the November 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.