Community Sharing helps local residents avoid eviction for late rent

Community Sharing is a relatively new organization that was founded in 2004. Originally, it was known as Community Resource Sharing, which was solely a food pantry. In 2004, they expanded their operations to include multiple services to those in need and to serve increasingly more areas. Their ultimate mission is to help all clients reach financial independence. Community Sharing is able to achieve their goals by the generous and overwhelming support of the local community.

One of the primary services offered by Community Sharing is the emergency financial assistance.  This service is mainly for utility shut-offs and evictions, but it is not limited to just those emergencies. To be eligible for financial assistance, a single-person must make less than $430 weekly; a family of two must make less than $582. More information about eligibility requirements is available on Community Sharing’s website, www.community-sharing.org. Community Sharing also is an agent for The Heating and Warmth Fund (“THAW”). THAW is an independent non-profit organization that provides emergency energy assistance to low income individuals and family in Michigan.

Another service that Community Sharing provides is the food pantry. Through their food pantry, Community Sharing provides food to both people and pets. Once a month, Community Sharing provides pet food to low-income pet owners. Also, in cases of emergencies, Community Sharing will provide pet food to pet owners. Community Sharing also has the focus hope program, which is a monthly distribution of food to those over 60 years of age and under 6 years of age. Furthermore, Community Sharing has a quarterly food distribution to those eligible for assistance. This is known as the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Lastly, Community Sharing with Huron Valley Schools run a mobile food kitchen, which provides assistance to kids in the Federal Lunch Program.

Other services that Community Sharing provides include assisting seniors with food, bills, and applying for benefits, budgeting classes, employment counseling, tutoring for students in K-12 for core subjects and for adults attempting to earn their GED, and lastly advocacy and case management.

Community Sharing provides many valuable services to those in need. These services are available to residents in Milford, Highland Twp, and the Stratford Villa or Commerce Meadows Mobile Home Parks in Wixom. To apply for assistance, be sure to bring an ID, proof of residency, birth certificates for those seeking assistance, income documentation, and relevant eviction notices or utility shut-off notices to their office in Highland, Michigan. For any additional information, they can be contacted by telephone at 248-889-0347.