CARES in Farmington Hills | caresfh.org |

November-December 2022

Sending our heartfelt thanks to all who

support CARES this Holiday Season and throughout the year!

This is the best holiday of the year! I say that because of what Thanksgiving can mean to all of us.  I have lived through tough times and some of the best times, but this day each year is a reminder of what is most important in life.  

Thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks for what we're grateful for. And all of us at CARES are thankful for each individual and family we are able to help.  

We are grateful for every volunteer who gives their time each month.  We couldn't do this without our amazing volunteers.  

We have had an unbelievable year since this time last year. Loving people put their time and skills into remodeling our main buildings.  

Our kind, compassionate, caring and generous donors: companies, corporations, small businesses, faith-based and other organizations, and all our friends at CARES have helped us to meet our financial obligations each month.  

As we are in our Grateful Plate Full season and as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving 2022, we can be proud that together in our communities we are blessed to be here for each other.  

Todd Lipa, Executive Director

Honoring our CARES guests...

CARES guests are some of the most resilient people you will meet. Many face numerous hardships but find a way to stay hopeful and optimistic. They inspire all of us at CARES.

Maria Brayboy is one of those people. She is all too familiar with the challenges life can hold, having suffered from chronic illness for over half her life. Still, Maria knows joy and gratitude. She is thankful for the groceries she receives each month from the Family Pantry saying "CARES makes it possible for me to pay my bills and have some money to buy other things I need. Sometimes, I can even share a little with a neighbor."

Maria chooses to be positive and kind in her life. She likes a quote from the Dalai Lama that says, "Be kind whenever possible. It's always possible." "CARES volunteers remind me of that every time I come in. They are always so helpful and respectful. That makes me want to be the same."

Maria wants to say, "Thank you to every person who donates or works at CARES, for your kindness and help!"

So many ways to help. Remember our Grateful Plate Full Campaign! See below!

Giving Tuesday is Nov. 29. Please remember CARES!

CARES helps over 1400 individuals - 500+ familes in Oakland and Wayne Counties to stretch their food budgets each month. For many this means the difference between paying for heat or medicine, or having enough to eat. Will you help show them we care?

Families-to-families...Grateful to another Farmington area business supporting CARES

We can't say it too often: "CARES works because people care about their neighbors!" Need isn't always readily visible and sometimes those who are struggling find it difficult to ask for help.



Leonard Kruszewski, President and CEO of RF Connect, an award-winning wireless and mobile solutions provider headquartered in Farmington Hills, recognizes there are individuals and families in our cities who are experiencing hardship. But, knowing it and doing something about it are two different things.

"As someone who grew up in the area and still owns a business here, I see the growing number of people who need help. We tend to think poverty is a big city problem. But we need to broaden our perspective and see that people in our suburbs need help too. We can do something about that." And that's exactly what he has done.



Kruszewski was instrumental in the establishment of CARES and in its continued operation and growth. His commitment led him to become the sole sponsor of the first annual Grateful Plate Full Dinner in October, raising nearly 1/3 of the dollars needed to keep CARES Family Pantry running for another year. RF Connect employees followed his example and have become supporters as well.



Thank you to President/CEO Leonard Kruszewski and the employees of RF Connect for helping to keep our doors open for another year!

Gratitude for our Volunteers...

Lonnell Steward thinks "Life is hard enough. You've got to have fun-- whatever you're doing!"

Fortunately, Steward brings his attitude to his shifts at CARES. He's quick to laugh and tease his fellow volunteers during his work in the warehouse, stocking shelves or doing whatever is needed.

Steward believes that "...the people, our guests and volunteers, are the best thing about CARES. I'm honored and humbled to be here and I want to be a part of the vision for growing a Campus of Hope."

He first learned about the Family Pantry from a PBS program and felt called to volunteer. (Go to www.caresfh.org to see the video and learn more about CARES.) He is so committed that even though he doesn't currently own a car, he takes an Uber to volunteer. "I've had some tough times in my own life and now that I've come out the other side, I want to do what I can to help others," he says.

We're grateful to Lonnell Steward and ALL of our CARES volunteers. We couldn't do this without you!

Want to become a CARES Volunteer like Lonnell?

It's an easy way to meet new friends and feel good about helping our community become an even better place. Visit www.caresfh.org/volunteer and apply. Make it your New Year's resolution!

No time to volunteer? Donations are ALWAYS in season!

Your generous donation is needed to help us reach our goal of $208,000 to keep CARES open and helping to feed over 1400 individuals--500+ families for another year. There are so many ways to donate. Visit www.caresfh.org/donate or click on the button below. Make this a New Year's resolution too!

Introducing the newest CARES Board Member, Mariyah Saifuddin

Mariyah Saifuddin wears many hats: Mom, Co-Founder and CEO of Innovative Solution Partners; active member of the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit and now a CARES Board Member, just to name a few. In October, Ms. Saifuddin also received national recognition as a successful woman entrepreneur from Enterprising Women's Magazine. Her company helps clients maximize their resources by using data analytics to inform decision making.

Saifuddin says "I've watched CARES grow from a modest beginning to where we are now, helping to feed so many in a humanitarian and efficient way. There is only 1% waste! That's amazing in a food distribution program like this." But so much more is needed. "We are making excellent use of the resources we have," she says, "but the need is growing while costs are rising. We are going to need more support to meet the demand. Expanding community and corporate awareness has to be a major focus."

Karen Linnell, Founder of the Youth United Summer Program at CARES who worked with Saifuddin says, "She'll be an asset to the Board. I admire how she jumps in and takes hold of any project, doing the work and finding the resources that make it successful."

Thank you to Mariyah Saifuddin, center, and Masjid al Burhani in Farmington Hills for your generosity and commitment to CARES Food Pantry!

Our heartfelt thanks to all who shopped at CARES Market this year. We are grateful and we hope you will KEEP COMING BACK!

CARES in Farmington Hills | WWW.caresfh.org