November 1st marked when 1.4 million Michiganders, including many in our community, had their SNAP benefits paused due to the ongoing government shutdown. We at FedUp are dedicated as always to serving our community members during these difficult times. 

While we are not increasing our meal service locations, we have been planning to serve more meals at our existing meal sites. For instance, last Wednesday, October 29th, we almost doubled the number of meals we serve on average. This past week, we tripled our average meals. We will continue to increase food production so that community members can eat a meal with us and take home what they need. Prepping for 350-400 meals takes a lot of time and money, so we hope you will join us behind the scenes to scale up our production!

To our beloved supporters, we could not do this work without you. As we gear up to meet the growing need due to the recent pause in SNAP benefits, your presence in our ministry is more cherished than ever. Whether it is through volunteering with us and spending time with our community members, or through donations that enable us to continue serving our community, we hope you will continue to support us during these times.

Until All Are Fed,

Pastor Anna

Thank you to our past, present, and future volunteers, partners, and donors that make the work we do possible, especially at a time like this.

Our friends at Food Gatherers have a full list of food resources on their website, and are holding emergency distribution dates near Briarwood Mall throughout the month of November. Links to information on this can be found below. 

Find Food Map and Resources

November Emergency Food Distribution Dates

We are so grateful to have had Sage on our team leading our WashUp programming this summer. We are grateful for their contributions during their time here at FedUp. Thank you for all your work with WashUp this season and for your unwavering commitment to our community! Please join us in wishing Sage all the best.

As the weather continues to cool, we'll be saying goodbye to Liberty Plaza along with our laundry and shower trailers (affectionately named Rosalina and Peach) for the season and transitioning into our winter programming. Below is our updated schedule – hope to see you all there!

WashUp Program

Wash Up services have ended for the season, and will be back in Spring. 

Chef Camp

Tuesday

Weekly, 5pm-6pm at CFLC through December 9th.

Meals and Lift Up

Tuesday

Weekly, 5:00pm – 6:15 pm - Every Tuesday join us in Ypsilanti for a community meal at the Peace HUB Community Resource Center, 1515 S Harris Rd 48198

Wednesday

Weekly, 12pm - 1pm - Free Lunch at the SAWC Daytime Warming Centers from November 10th - April 14th.

• Ann Arbor - Location Rotates, see Washtenaw County website for details.
• Ypsilanti - Freight House, 100 Market Pl 48198

Weekly, 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Free Meal from 5-6 pm followed by Liftup Worship at 6 pm at Ypsilanti Farmers Marketplace, 16 S Washington St 48197

Saturday
11pm - 1 pm - Every second Saturday of the month we will serve a free meal with Pullover Prevention. Location rotates.

Check out our events page for more information about our pop-up events across Southeast Michigan.

In Early October, Pastor Anna was invited back to the Kelly Clarkson Show to provide an update on our ministry after being awarded the G2 Overachievers Grant by Pilot Pen and the Kelly Clarkson Show in June. Thanks so much again to Pilot Pen and the Kelly Clarkson Show for this grant and for graciously giving another $1K towards our organization's efforts!

FedUp Ministries started October by attending and participating in The 3rd Annual ELCA Social Justice Summit held at Hope Lutheran Church by the Southeastern Michigan Synod. FedUp provided lunch, workshops on de-escalation and harm education led by Pastor Anna and Sheri, as well as a Food Justice workshop led by Pastor Anna and Maddie. We also tabled, spreading the word on the food justice work we do. During this time as well, Pastor Anna taped her segment for the Kelly Clarkson show, highlighted above! We were honored to attend and participate in such an important event that reminded us and all of those in the Lutheran community of the work we must continue to do to ensure equity for all!

FedUp Ministries had the privilege of attending and participating in A Brighter Way's 4th Annual Convening; “From Building to Belonging: Deepening Community Roots". Pastor Anna had the honor of moderating the panels on the topic, “Rooting Connection and Wellness”. It was a joy to have the opportunity to attend and participate in such a moving and impactful event!

FedUp ended the month of October at the 2025 Michigan Restorative Justice Summit, hosted at Eastern Michigan University by the Dispute Resolution Center. Attendees had the opportunity to attend workshops and panels on the impact of restorative practices in communities, disrupting systems of colonization and oppression, building more restorative spaces, and advocating for criminal legal reform within our communities. A truly enlightening experience!

November is Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate and connect with the culture, achievements, and traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other affiliated communities. November also contains the holiday of Thanksgiving, which has historically romanticized the first meetings of Indigenous peoples and white settlers, erasing the reality of genocide and the stripping of Indigenous peoples from their land and culture. Due to this horrific history, this day is also recognized as the National Day of Mourning. 

We at FedUp ask that, as you gather with loved ones on November 27th, you acknowledge this history, Indigenous peoples, and their land by: 

• Honoring Ancestors: Remember and honor the countless Native lives lost to disease, warfare, and displacement.
• Raising Awareness: Educate yourself and others about the ongoing struggles Native communities face as a result of European colonization and the genocide of their people.
• Promoting Healing and Justice: Provide a platform for Native voices to be heard and heal from harm done to the community.

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

- Isaiah 41:10

Every donation allows us to serve more delicious meals, provide free shower and laundry services, and continue to support our community. Thank you all for your contributions to FedUp.

Sign up for our Volunteer Newsletter below to get updates on upcoming opportunities where you can help FedUp continue the work we do.