FERNDALE — All month long, the Michigan AIDS Coalition (MAC) will be distributing 30-pound boxes of food to unemployed or low-income residents in honor of the holiday season. The program is the first of its kind for the agency and was created in recognition of the extraordinary economic hardships facing many people in the tri-county area this year.

Through a partnership with the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, MAC hopes to assist up to 300 needy clients before the new year. Persons requesting assistance through MAC simply need to provide identification, documented evidence of unemployment, proof of low income and a household bill in their name.

“Food distribution is a new service for the Michigan AIDS Coalition,” said Helen Hicks, CEO of MAC, in a statement. “But at least during this time of historic rates of unemployment and economic pain, we will be helping our clients and the community over the holiday season.”

Those wishing to access food boxes may come to the MAC offices — located at 429 Livernois St. in Ferndale — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 8. Free, anonymous HIV testing will also be available on a walk-in basis on those days.

MAC is the state’s largest nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to promoting HIV/AIDS prevention and healthy lifestyles. For more information, call (248) 545-1435 or visit www.michiganaidscoalition.org.

— Jeremy Selweski