Get in the spirit of the season

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches — it’s only two weeks away! — there are ample opportunities for Michigan Medicine faculty and staff to get in the holiday spirit by giving back to the community.

Here’s a closer look at a number of ways you can help those in need over the next few months:

Maggie’s Marketplace

Michigan Medicine’s first-ever food pantry is looking for volunteers and donations to ensure that patients and families get the food and nutrition they need during the holiday season.

Maggie’s Marketplace is located inside the Ypsilanti Health Center (YHC) and is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It provides ready access to produce and nutritious food items that many members of the community would not otherwise be able to afford.

If you are interested in volunteering your time to help hand out or coordinate supplies, please contact Ladele Cochran, administrative manager of YHC, at ladele@med.umich.edu. Or if you’d like to make a monetary donation to Maggie’s Marketplace, you can do so by clicking here.

Winter food and toy drive at YHC

Ypsilanti Health Center faculty and staff are also organizing a food and toy drive to help patients and families get through the coldest months of the year.

YHC staff members will be collecting canned and boxed food (with low or no sodium), toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, toiletries and toys any day between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please drop off the donations at 200 Arnet St., Suite 200 in Ypsilanti.

Preparing and delivering meals

Food Gatherers — a nonprofit organization based in Ann Arbor that works to alleviate hunger — is always looking for volunteers to deliver meals or to assist in its warehouse. Please click here to learn how to sign up to help around the holidays, including a chance to deliver meals to those in the community leading up to Thanksgiving.

The Senior Alliance — which provides resources for older adults in Wayne, Michigan — is also seeking volunteers to help prepare and deliver meals around both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Call 1-800-815-1112 or visit the organization’s website for more information on how you may help.

Coat drive at CVC

The Department of Cardiac Surgery is hosting a “Coat Drive” for the homeless and otherwise less fortunate neighbors in the community. Last year, the department donated 90 coats!

Gently used coats for adult and children, other winter items (including hats and gloves) and monetary donations (cash or checks) to purchase coats will be collected and distributed to those who would benefit from added warmth this holiday season.

Donations can be dropped off at the office of Donald Likosky, Ph.D., M.S. (Frankel Cardiovascular Center #5346 – 5^th floor departmental administrative suite) by the close of business on Dec. 22. If you have any questions, contact Likosky at likosky@med.umich.edu or 734-232-4216.

Be a Hero at the Big House

You don’t need to give food, clothing or money during the holidays — giving blood can be just as important.

Join one of the largest single-day blood drives at U-M and register as an organ or tissue donor by taking part in the “Be a Hero at the Big House” event.

The program, which takes place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, is the kickoff to the annual Blood Battle against Ohio State University. Both universities compete to see which community can donate the most blood prior to the schools’ football game on Nov. 25.

Be a Hero at the Big House will take place at the Jack Roth Stadium Club at Michigan Stadium and includes games, food and giveaways for the entire family. For more information, click here.

Play a role in the U-M United Way campaign

This year, the U-M United Way campaign has set a bicentennial-themed goal of raising $1.817 million.

Those who give can choose for their dollars to be designated to a community agency of their choice — including those who assist seniors, youth or neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Click here to learn more about the United Way campaign and how you can be certain your donation will address the community need most important to you!