In the best of times, food insecurity is a significant community problem. In the pandemic economy, it has become a desperate situation for all too many. The Ypsilanti-based Joyful Treats Community Foundation is bringing its culinary and catering talents to the fore in helping address the issue. Founder and president Khadija Wallace joined WEMU's David Fair on "Washtenaw United" to discuss the inspiration and motivation behind the foundation's efforts.
WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to explore the people, organizations, and institutions creating opportunity and equity in our area. And, as part of this ongoing series, you’ll also hear from the people benefiting and growing from the investments being made in the areas of our community where there are gaps in available services. It is a community voice. It is 'Washtenaw United.'
ABOUT KHADIJA WALLACE:
Khadija is a mother of five who is a specialist in the business of culinary artistry. She is the Founder and CEO of Joyful Treats Catering and the Founder and President of Joyful Treats Community Development Corporation. Through her love of food and community, she has expanded her impact by going from a caterer to a nonprofit leader in the Washtenaw County community.
RESOURCES:
Joyful Treats Community Development Corporation
UWWC STATEMENT:
Joyful Treats CDC has been a longstanding partner of UWWC, but only until recently has it been a grantee. Joyful Treats has been UWWC’s vendor of choice when it comes providing food for events and meals to our Voluntary Income Tax Preparation volunteers.
Joyful Treats was funded for the first time by UWWC through the COVID-19 Community Relief Fund in April 2020. The grant, totaling $20,000, supported hunger relief efforts of the agency to residents with low incomes in 48197/98. In September, UWWC again invested in their hunger relief efforts through a COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund totaling $15,000. This year, Joyful Treats is also a recipient of Power of the Purse funding, totaling $5,800, for their hunger relief efforts that prioritize women and families. UWWC is proud to have invested over $40,000 in the programming delivered by Joyful Treats, led by a woman of color and based in Ypsilanti.
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— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU. You can contact David at 734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him atdfair@emich.edu
