Our Mission
Providing essential support to alleviate the effects of hunger and poverty for those in the Dexter, Chelsea, and surrounding communities.
History
FIA was founded in 1980 by Rev. Jerry Beaumont as an outreach program of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Chelsea, Michigan. Housed in our building on the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital since 1989, our central services remain our emergency food pantry, free clothing room, financial help with utilities and lodging, counseling, durable medical equipment and holiday and back to school support. FIA also supports two Avalon Housing developments providing case management for tenants.
Funding
FIA receives funding from an incredible number of individuals, area businesses, service clubs, youth groups, and church congregations in the greater Chelsea and Dexter area. We have partnerships with Food Gatherers, Avalon Housing and Washtenaw County Office of Economic Development. Grants are an important part of our funding, and Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club, Washtenaw County OECD, Chelsea Kiwanis Club, Southeastern Michigan United Way, Chelsea Community Foundation, Dexter Lions Club and Dexter Community Foundation have provided FIA with generous grants in 2024. Food Gatherers is a major source of food for our pantries, which is delivered twice a week. We are also grateful to work with Dexter Family Services in serving people in the Dexter community. We are proud that nearly 70 volunteers and dozens of community groups provide the core of our service to help neighbors here in Chelsea, Dexter, and the surrounding areas.
Board of Trustees
President
Timothy Marsh
Vice President
Joe Ziolkowski
Treasurer
Angie Finch
Secretary
Eszter Cukor
Trustees
Tim Broyles
Melissa Carroll, University of Michigan Board Fellow
Shawn Dettling
Kate Hoffman
Abby Holland, Dexter School Representative
Nik Lulgjuraj
Von Miller
Robert Pierce
Adam Schilt, Chelsea School Representative
Donna Seeley, Chelsea Hospital Representative