The recent uncertainty over federal food aid sent hundreds of people to a temporary mobile food distribution site in Pontiac on Tuesday.
Lighthouse and Gleaners Community Food Bank quickly organized the one-time event.
The organizations collected enough staples and perishables to feed an estimated 450 households. Vehicles were lined up at 7 a.m. for the 10 a.m. to noon distribution.
Nate Gilling used a day off from his job as a youth and family casework supervisor for Oakland County’s court system to help those lined up for food at Lighthouse on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Peg McNichol/MediaNews Group)
By 11:15 a.m., more than 250 vehicles had been loaded with bags of food and the line stretched for blocks along Osmun Street in the neighborhood behind Lighthouse’s Pontiac Headquarters, 46156 Woodward Ave. At noon, vehicles were still arriving.
Melissia Shaw, 62, waited nearly 90 minutes before a volunteer put food in her backseat and directed her to an area where people could pick up fresh produce.
Shaw is unable to work and has received SNAP benefits for seven years. Her disability check doesn’t cover all her bills, the Pontiac woman said.
“Food now is so expensive and now with Trump taking away our SNAP … ,” she said, her voice trailing off with a sigh. “We’re getting it this month but we don’t know if we’re getting it next month.”
Lighthouse partnered with Gleaners Community Food Bank for a mobile food pantry on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Peg McNichol/MediaNews Group)
Nate Gilling used a day off from his job as a youth and family casework supervisor for Oakland County’s court system to help those lined up for food.
He stood at a table with gallons of milk and fresh produce for anyone who walked to the site. He said most people expressed gratitude.
“We’ve gotten a lot of hugs and handshakes today,” he said.
A moment later, a woman in a nearby car shouted her thanks to him. He grinned and waved.
Mistie Woodruff, 50, drove two of her Hazel Park neighbors to the food distribution site. She said carpooling saved gas. Woodruff is disabled and cares for her 74-year-old father in a home she shares with her two adult sons, both of whom are looking for work, she said.
“If you don’t have SNAP, you don’t have grocery money,” she said. “When you don’t have SNAP, you’re choosing between paying your bills and buying groceries.”
Ryan Hertz, Lighthouse president and CEO, said the organization will continue to work with Gleaners to address any unmet needs.
Amber Ruple, who supervises Lighthouse’s pantry, wore a bright yellow banana costume Tuesday to bring smiles to the people waiting in line for food.
(Peg McNichol/MediaNews Group)
“Our hope is that it won’t be necessary,” he said, adding that Tuesday’s distribution was “meaningful on an individual basis but can’t address the overall problem.”
Unlike federal funding for food distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no such support during the federal shutdown, he said, adding that a crisis always brings out the best in people who want to help others.
Amber Ruple, who supervises Lighthouse’s pantry, walked along the line of cars to put a sticky note on a window indicating how many households were in each car. She wore a bright yellow banana costume.
“It’s food,” she said. “And it makes people smile.”