FIA primarily serves people in the Chelsea and Dexter school districts with food pantry access and emergency financial services, plus we now provide food pantry access to the Scio Farms neighborhood and anyone in the Grass Lake Zip Code.

IF YOU NEED HELP Call 734-475-3305 during business hours.

Services Include: (Call for appointments for all services!)

• Food pantry: If you need food, we are here for you. For longer-term assistance, services are based on household income. Households can shop as often as every two weeks.  Food shopping is currently done by appointment, and can be done in-person or by placing a phone order for curbside pickup. We are proud to be a choice pantry, where you choose your groceries from our shelves whenever possible.
  • FIA is happy to accept donated frozen and perishable items as space permits. Food Gatherers, the premier organization that conducts food rescue in Washtenaw County, and local donors, provide the food for our pantry. We routinely provide food for over 100 households each month.
• Clothing and Household Goods: Donated from local sources and shared with area families, the clothing room is available to anyone free of charge. Whether you’re starting up a new household or simply stretching limited resources, you may shop at the FIA Clothing Room every two weeks up to 12 times each year, 3 grocery bags of items/visit. An average of 10-15 family groups shop (free) in the Clothing Room each day.
• Benefits Access: FIA has a Benefits Navigator who can help you file an application for SNAP, Medicaid, and other publicly funded programs, help you set up an online MIBridges account, or check the status of your application.
• Resume’ Support: Volunteer experts in resume construction and job skills assessment help people in their search for employment, available by appointment.
• Advocacy: Professional social work staff can advocate and help people connect with resources needed. We are also available as a centralized resource agency and safety net organization to help people who reach out to area churches.
• Financial help with heat, electric, water, and rent: Income-qualified families in the primary service area of Chelsea and Dexter school districts are eligible to receive help when they have received a shut-off notice or notice to quit/eviction. Staff will negotiate with utility companies and landlords to make sure there is clear understanding of expectations.
• Free Medical Equipment Closet: Donated durable medical equipment is made available to anyone who needs it on an as-needed basis.
• Furniture: FIA staff can provide escorted referral to the Kiwanis sale room for needed furniture items. Talk with a social worker for information.
• Preschool Scholarship Program: FIA has limited funds available to help children access early childhood education in an area preschool programs.
• Back to School Sponsorship Program: Individuals and groups sponsor a school child (privacy protected) and supply them with a new backpack, school supplies, and a new outfit to help them make a good start to the new school year.
• Seasonal Family Sponsorship: Individuals and groups sponsor a client family (privacy protected) and shop for Winter Holiday items. Items are wrapped and delivered to FIA for distribution.
• Thanksgiving Food Baskets: A full holiday meal is supplied to qualifying families.
• Holiday Meals: In November and December, we partner with local organizations and volunteers or sign folks up for a free community meal so no one eats alone on Thanksgiving or December 25.
• Counseling: FIA Social Workers can help current clients find local counselors and also help with a cost subsidy to get needed assistance.
• Homeless Services and Prevention: FIA has a free onsite shower and free washer/dryer for our homeless/houseless neighbors. Staff can also help people secure needed documents, get on apartment lists, or negotiate Housing Access and connect with the wider service community as needed/eligible. Emergency food is also available.