YPSILANTI, MI - With uncertainty surrounding job losses and interruptions in income due to the coronavirus pandemic, SOS Community Services is expanding its efforts to help more people in the community.

SOS is now providing pre-bagged groceries for those in need, as well as portable toilets for those who are homeless in downtown Ypsilanti.

SOS’s food pantry also will provide groceries between 1 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at 114 N. River St. Appointments are not needed. Everyone who needs food is eligible. People are asked to maintain six feet of distance from others when collecting their groceries.

As businesses and public buildings have closed, SOS also has placed portable toilets at both its River Street building and Huron Street building at 101 S. Huron St. in Ypsilanti. SOS’s portable toilets offer sinks and soap to help everyone in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

SOS continues to assist families who are homeless to obtain housing, helping three families move into housing since the pandemic started. Case workers in SOS’s housing and children’s programs continue to meet with families through video conferences and drop off supplies to their porches such as groceries, diapers and cleaning supplies.

Most people the nonprofit works with are hourly workers and that many have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and are requesting SOS’s help for the first time, SOS Executive Director Rhonda Weathers said. To make a donation to help families facing job loss, homelessness and hunger during the pandemic, visit the SOS website.

“Our food program has seen a 31% increase in requests for groceries since the pandemic started,” Weathers said. "We hope everyone who needs help from SOS knows that we are here for them. We will continue to help them with food, housing, and other basic needs in the weeks and months ahead.”

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