Once a month at Center Line Public Schools, dozens of cars arrive to pick up free food from one of Gleaners’ 34 School Food Mobiles. A Gleaners team member checks guests in before Center Line faculty and student volunteers load their cars with about 35 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, pantry staples, and milk.
“You all have really got this down!” one guest said, commenting on the smooth, efficient drive-up experience. Volunteers filled the back row of her minivan with food and thanked her for coming. “I appreciate it so much,” she said. “It makes such a big difference—everyone here is so nice, and it’s quick!”
The entire process takes about an hour. As part of Gleaners’ continuous improvement processes, we regularly analyze how much food is distributed and consider demographics when choosing the menu. This helps us reduce waste, maximize impact, and ensure we’re meeting the needs of the community.
“A lot of our families are vegetarian,” said Sheri Ballard, Gleaners’ volunteer coordinator for Center Line. “So, we typically ask if they’d like to take the meat or not and many decline.” Throughout the course of the distribution, this bears itself out. Still, at the end of the distribution all the meat is distributed to those who wanted it.
If food runs out before the line does, guests receive information about the nearest food distribution. If there are leftovers, Woodside Bible Church—a nearby pantry partner—picks up the remaining food to distribute later the same day. “It’s a great partnership,” said Sheri. “Nothing goes to waste, and all the food goes to our local community, which is great because there’s a big need here.”
Gleaners’ partnership with Center Line goes beyond the School Food Mobile. Together, we also provide learning opportunities for sixth grade students enrolled in Academy Explorer—a digital design and communications class. The students take on a variety of marketing and communications projects centered around the drive-up distribution. Not only do they learn what makes a successful marketing campaign or blog post, but they also observe the distribution firsthand, gaining valuable insight into food insecurity and community engagement.
Gleaners’ school partnerships are built on care, connection, and shared purpose. By working hand in hand with schools like Center Line, we’re not only providing fresh, nutritious food to families but also creating opportunities for students, volunteers, and neighbors to learn, give back, and grow together. It’s a powerful reminder that when a community comes together, we can nourish bodies and help build brighter futures.
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