BuddyUp is a collaborative program between FedUp Ministries and Peace House Ypsi. Our mission is to foster community partnerships, while centering dignity, respect, and solidarity, to cultivate support for equitable resource access.
BuddyUp:
Community allies are connected with neighbors in need through our mutual aid network, a dedicated Signal channel through which community members can request support privately with program staff and Allies can respond. Rather than long-term one-on-one pairings, this model prioritizes immediate and flexible resource access, while still fostering meaningful community connections.
When a neighbor is in need, they can reach out directly to program staff, who will then share the request with the broader network of community allies. From there, an ally who is available and able to help can step in to respond. This structure ensures that no single person bears the full weight of support, and that neighbors can access help when they need it most.
Some allies provide only financial support for groceries and beyond, while others can only offer non-financial resources such as rides to a food pantry or grocery store, laundry help, emotional support, etc. By allowing allies to contribute in whatever way works best for them, BuddyUp encourages a wide variety of support.
We are always looking for new Allies to increase food access in Washtenaw County! Fill out this quick Google form and you will hear from our team soon. If you would like to donate to sponsor a grocery trip, donate here. For more information about the program, please reach out to Pastor Anna at pastoranna@fedupministries.org or Sheri Wander at peacehouseypsi@gmail.com.