‘Road’ work

New facility will enable Crossroads of Michigan
to serve more people in need

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

A hot meal and a warm place to eat it might seem like a small thing, but for the people served by Crossroads of Michigan — many of whom are homeless — it’s a big source of care and comfort.

So when Crossroads recently moved its main office and soup kitchen into a larger facility at 2424 West Grand Blvd., near the New Center in Detroit, its supporters realized this was cause for celebration.

Crossroads will mark this significant development with a grand opening and dedication ceremony, starting with an open house and tours for the public at 4 p.m. Feb. 28. The building — home to the Humana Soup Kitchen and Dining Room — will be dedicated to its late founder, the Rev. James A. McLaren.

“Father James A. McLaren founded Crossroads in 1971, and though he passed away in 2006, we know that his founding wish was for Crossroads to welcome all who come to us for help and do whatever it takes to keep our promise to the poor,” said Crossroads Executive Director Mary McLaren Honsel in a prepared statement. “It brings me great joy knowing that we will be dedicating our beautiful new building to him. This new, larger soup kitchen will play a major role in helping us fulfill our pledge and allow us to reach out to countless people in our city and beyond.”

The soup kitchen is only open on Sundays, when it serves about 800-1,000, said Crossroads Development Officer Yolanda Turner of Grosse Pointe Farms. The previous dining area could only seat about 50-75 at a time, which meant that most people had to take their meals outdoors, regardless of the weather. Now, Turner said they can seat roughly 175, so families can sit together and people can enjoy a meal inside. There’s also a bigger kitchen with new equipment, which will make it easier to prepare large amounts of food.

“For as long as we can remember, we’ve always kind of had to make do. We’ve always been cramped for space,” Turner said of the nonprofit, which has long stretched each penny. “Finally, we decided to move into something that reflects our respect for our clients and provides our clients and staff with a space and facility that will best serve them.”

Besides hot meals on Sundays, Crossroads provides bags of food, counseling and help with prescriptions, identification, transportation and other vital basics seven days a week, Turner said. Each year, she said, they hand out about 50 tons of food, as well as personal and hygiene products, which are always needed.

The new building — which Crossroads owns — was made possible by a two-year capital campaign that raised an estimated $2.3 million, Turner said.

“It was incredible during this economy to be able to do that,” she acknowledged.

The economy’s impact is also reflected in what Turner said is a growing demand for the aid that Crossroads offers. According to a 2007 report from the National Center for Children in Poverty, the poverty rate for Detroit children is 39 percent.

Although most residents of the Pointes fortunately haven’t needed Crossroads’ services, many have thrown their support behind the agency, including the Rotary Club of Grosse Pointe and a number of churches. In addition, several Pointers are Crossroads board trustees, including Fritz Damm, Michael Hayden and Virginia Rice; and Nancy Renick co-chaired the recent capital campaign.

Crossroads and its staff have “done amazing things,” said Eric Turin of Grosse Pointe Farms.  

Those who want to visit Crossroads during the grand opening are encouraged to make advance reservations if possible by calling (313) 831-2787 or sending e-mail to yturner@crossroadsofmichigan.org. Valet parking will be available.

Crossroads is always in need of volunteers and donations of food, goods and money. For more information, visit www.crossroadsofmichigan.org or call (313) 831-0213.