As the seasons change and we begin to swap out summer clothes with warmer options, we often find ourselves bagging up plenty of items to drop off at the local donations drop box. But what if I told you there was a better option? One that could allow you to see exactly where your donations are going. One that helps people in our own backyard.
Every other Sunday, volunteers and volunteer groups from all around Detroit gather in Cass Park for Sundays in The Park with Our Friends and The Forgotten Worker to help provide those in need with food, clothing, hygienic products, and anything else that our fellow Detroiters need.
A group called Detroit Underground Initiatives started the event in 2011. What began as a solidarity action for the Food Not Bombs group that was arrested for distributing food to the hungry in a local park has evolved over the years to become a family-like event in which everyone looks out for one another.
Jim Rehberg has been involved since Sundays in the Park started and continued to keep it alive when the event began to lose its steam.
“First it was a good way to prepare food and look out for people, but after awhile we had just befriended so many around the park, we couldn't stop,” said Rehberg.
This isn't your average community service event, though. Here, people know each other by name and look forward to seeing each other every second and fourth Sunday.
“A lot of us have become friends on both sides of the line… It has given us a rather strong bond. We may not all have a lot in common away from the park, but there we all share a common need to look out for others,” said Rehberg.
Of course, there was some pushback from the neighboring communities in the past. When Rehberg realized the validity of some of the complaints, he helped to improve the situation. They now aim to always leave the park cleaner than when they arrive, and encourage everyone, both volunteers as well as those who are attending to receive help, to keep the park clean as well.
“The more I got involved, the more the folks responded. A lot of the people that we feed also keep the park clean and look out for trouble,” said Rehberg.
Currently, Rehberg says that they “have a good supply of funds,” and they will have their third annual fundraiser at the Gaelic League in early October.
“For anyone else, I would encourage them to come down and get a taste of this. Bring some socks or cupcakes and share a Sunday,” said Rehberg, who insists that the best way to understand what is being done at Cass Park is to join in and experience it, even if you have nothing to bring but a friendly smile.
“Any neighborhood has those that have and those that need. Good friends can be found even if they have empty pockets, but a treasure trove of other things to share.”
Sundays in The Park with Our Friends and The Forgotten Worker occurs the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Cass Park.
