By Dean Vaglia
Leader Staff Writer
Connie Miller, Oxford Community Television (OCTV) and Immanuel Congregational United Church of Christ are holding a food drive for Miller’s free meals program on Saturday, April 9.
Hosted at the Village of Oxford-based church, the program is accepting food and monetary donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Our need and demand for groceries increases every week,” Miller said. “We have just added a great number of new people, so our numbers are continuing to go up.”
The program began in spring 2020 after COVID-19 hit and feeds around 100 to 130 people every Wednesday night. Food is donated or bought and stored at the church, where it is distributed by a drive-through system from 5-6:30 p.m. Patrons come through, fill out a checklist and volunteers fill bags to order.
Canned and dry goods are typically donated while fruits, vegetables and refrigerated goods are bought.
“The numbers are going up and I do not see any end in sight,” Miller said. “I just read something online where they were telling people to budget themselves an additional $5,200 in expenses because of the cost of food and gas and everything else, and I do not know where most of these people would ever find that kind of money. We are firmly into year three and we just need the continued support. Not just on [April 9] but all the time, and the community has stepped up beautifully.”
To support the free meals program contact Miller at 248-933-4579.