By Megan Kelley
Special to The Oxford Leader
Despite the holidays being over, it’s still giving season for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 334 who had their annual check presentation to Orion/Oxford FISH Adopt-a-Shelf program last week.
“When we ask someone to adopt a shelf, the average it’s going to cost us is about $100 a month, give or take,” said Michelle Behm, President of the Oxford/Orion FISH board. “The VFW just give us the entire amount every year.”
For the fifth year in a row, VFW Post 334 donated $1,200 to the program. Adopt-a-Shelf allows a community organization to purchase the product, deliver and stock it on the shelves at FISH or donate funds for the pantry volunteers to purchase and stock the items.
“We feel (FISH) is one place we could get the bang for the buck. What is the best thing for your community? And that is to have food. There’s a lot of people out there, not anything of their fault, but right now could use a helping hand. Our FISH organization does that for us,” said Chuck Haskins VFW Post 334 Quartermaster/Adjutant.
The year, VFW Post 334 is sponsoring the spaghetti sauce shelf.
“It’s my favorite event of the year because they’re just such wonderful men and to be in the presence of such honorable veterans who, in their retirement ages, they’re not just sitting back, they’re just constantly focused on giving back to the community,” Behm said.
VFW Post 334 is a consistent sponsor for programs such as this that aid the community. A good amount of their fundraising is done through their Buddy Poppy Drive which takes place every May.
“We feel that it’s everybody’s responsibility to help out those who need help,” Haskins said.
FISH serves Oxford, Lake Orion, part of Oakland, Leonard and Addison. Once a month families come into the facility to do grocery shopping. To apply for FISH programming or to help out, call their office at 248-628-3933 or visit oxfordorionfish.org.
“I don’t know of a better benefit to a community than what FISH is doing. I carry them in the highest regards for what they do,” said Haskins. “Not seeing any child go hungry is the best dollar we can spend as a Post.”