American Black Journal gets details on how United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) is helping families put food on the table with its “Every Family Fed” emergency food fund. Host Stephen Henderson sits down with UWSEM President and CEO Dr. Darienne Hudson and Pastor Velma Jean Overman, executive director of Operation Refuge, to talk about the growing number of working families in Southeast Michigan who are food insecure due to factors like inflation, federal funding cuts, and the unstable economy.

Dr. Hudson explains how UWSEM has raised more than $700,000 for its emergency food fund, which gets distributed to 21 food pantries and banks. Pastor Overman’s nonprofit is one of the recipients. She talks about the people served by Operation Refuge in Inkster and how food insecurity has affected all the communities there. Additionally, Dr. Hudson outlines the affordability issue in Southeast Michigan and the need, not just for food but other necessities such as healthcare, transportation and childcare.