Birmingham Community Comes Together to Spread Holiday Cheer and Support Locals in Need

Birmingham Community Rallies Together for a Season of Giving

Birmingham, Michigan has truly shown the spirit of giving this holiday season, as several local organizations worked to make a difference in their community. It’s all about coming together, lending a helping hand, and ensuring that those in need have something to celebrate this Thanksgiving.

DesignTeam Plus Holds Successful Food Drive

One shining example of community spirit is Birmingham-based DesignTeam Plus, an architecture and interior design firm that recently hosted its second annual food drive on November 21. The firm opened its doors to the community, inviting everyone to drop off non-perishable food items in their parking lot. And guess what? They managed to collect an impressive 300 pounds of food! This hefty contribution went directly to support local nonprofits, Yad Ezra of Berkley and the St. Joseph Family Food Bank in Troy.

In addition to food donations, DesignTeam Plus also contributed cash donations to these organizations, exemplifying their commitment to fighting hunger in the area. Located at 975 East Maple Road, Birmingham, they encourage anyone looking to lend a hand to contact them at 248-559-1000 or check out their website for more information.

Bank of America Makes a Big Impact

Meanwhile, across the metro Detroit area, Bank of America has also been making waves with its philanthropic efforts. The bank announced a staggering $4 million in grants for over 50 local nonprofits in 2024 as part of their annual “Day of Giving.” This initiative saw more than 100 Bank of America employees actively volunteering with nonprofit partners in the community.

This substantial grant will benefit a variety of organizations, including those in Oakland County like Haven, Lighthouse, Forgotten Harvest, and Habitat for Humanity. Plus, two remarkable organizations, Empowerment Plan and National Faith Homebuyers, were named as the 2024 Neighborhood Builders. They will each receive $200,000 in unrestricted funding along with valuable leadership development training.

Star Crawford, the Market Executive at Bank of America in Detroit, shared the importance of these efforts, stating, “The critical work done daily by our nonprofit community partners helps Michigan businesses, individuals, and families achieve significant economic stability and growth.” With the bank contributing a total of over $9.1 million to Michigan nonprofits this year, it’s clear they’re dedicated to improving lives across the state.

Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation Distributes Turkeys

On top of all this, the Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation (MIRF) has stepped up to help local families during this festive season. Just before Thanksgiving, they distributed a whopping 1,200 turkeys to families in need! The majority of these turkeys, around 800, found their way to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit and United Community Family Services in Troy, while the remaining 400 were dispatched to Cleveland, Ohio.

Since 1980, MIRF has been delivering turkeys annually to families, veterans in need, and women’s shelters, showcasing their long-standing commitment to community support. This year, they teamed up with organizations like United Community Family Services/Chaldean American Ladies of Charity and The Capuchin Soup Kitchen to ensure that local families have something delicious to enjoy this Thanksgiving.

A Community United in Generosity

Birmingham’s community is truly a shining example of what it means to care for one another. With organizations like DesignTeam Plus, Bank of America, and MIRF stepping up to the plate, it’s heartwarming to see the impact of such giving actions. Remember, it’s not just during the holidays that generosity counts; every little bit of help goes a long way in making someone’s life a little brighter!