OUR STORY
History
The Daily Bread of Lenawee, Inc., was founded in 2001 by Charlene Wielfaert. She had a dream to provide meals for those in need and searched for an appropriate location. Grants and donations from local foundations and businesses made it possible to purchase a building.
The Daily Bread is still in operation at the original location, 302 South Tecumseh Street, on the east side of Adrian.
Now, in addition to lunch and emergency food pantry service, The Daily Bread provides a food pantry that is available 1 time per month per household. The Daily Bread provides opportunities for job skill training through collaborative efforts.
Everyone is welcome to eat at The Daily Bread. Patrons hail from every zip code in Lenawee County. Some people are just passing through, others become “regulars”.
In 2022 we provided 15,378 hot meals and distributed 15,795 meals through our food pantry for a total of 31,173 meals.
The Daily Bread employs a full-time Executive Director, one part-time Culinary Specialist, and one part-time Program Coordinator. The Daily Bread is reliant on volunteers to assist with serving, cleaning and food pickups. Because there is no government funding, The Daily Bread relies on our community for financial support and food donations. The Daily Bread also benefits from the partnership of many non-profits, businesses, government entities, and individuals throughout Lenawee County.
Our Board of Directors:
Our Staff:
William Southard, President
Linda Garcia, Vice President
Blake Hohlbein, Secretary
Jacob Baker, Treasurer
Heather Bowser, Director
Valerie Robichaud, Director
Gidget Rowe, Director
Ben Vannatter, Director
Jim Southard, Executive Director
Suzan Johnson, Culinary Specialist
Rhonda Lidster, Program Coordinator
* Click on a name to send them an email.
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Hours of Operation
Hot Meals
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Wednesday: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Thursday: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Friday: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Saturday: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED
2025
Special Dates
Jan 01
Mar 01
Apr 12
May 10
July 04
July 16
Nov 22
Nov 27
Dec 02
Dec 20
Dec 24 Dec 25
Dec 31
Jan 01
Closed New Years Day
Daily Bread 24th Anniversary
Easter Meal
USPS Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
Closed Independence Day
Christmas in July Annual Fundraiser
Thanksgiving Meal
Closed Thanksgiving
Giving Tuesday
Christmas Celebration
Closed Christmas Eve
Closed Christmas Day
Closed New Year's Eve
Closed New Year's Day
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What is the best way to donate?The most preferable and simplistic form of a donation is a monetary one. You can offer that through our PayPal or Mail a check to: The Daily Bread P.O. Box 894 Adrian, MI 49221 Or Drop off at: The Daily Bread 302 S. Tecumseh Street Adrian, MI 49221 We love it when donors come in person with a check so they can see how their contribution makes a difference. The Daily Bread has many expenses (utilities, supplies) to pay beyond the purchase of food.
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How can I help?In addition to cash donation, you can also donate food or time. Food is needed year-round, especially during the summer months when we are feeding more people. See our current needs list on Get Involved Page. Food can be dropped off during business hours. Volunteers are needed year-round for serving patrons.
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How can I get food?Lunch is served Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 am-2:00 pm and is open to everyone. The food pantry is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 am-2:00 pm and households may visit the food pantry 1 time per month and is available only to Lenawee County residents.
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What do I need to do to volunteer?Please fill out our Volunteer Application to get the process started. Volunteers are scheduled one month in advance. The volunteer shift is 11:15am-2:15pm. Several groups volunteer on a monthly basis, so requests for volunteering on specific dates or holidays cannot be guaranteed.
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Do you make deliveries?Unfortunately, we are unable to deliver meals or pantry items. However, you can utilize Lenawee Transportation or Adrian Taxi to visit us during normal business hours.
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Can you accept food that is outdated?Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor. A determination of what is acceptable will be made at the time of the donation after a quick inspection by our staff. Please call us at (517) 266-0937 if you have questions.
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Can The Daily Bread staff pick-up donated items?Due to limited staff and no company vehicle, it is helpful if items can be brought to the Daily Bread during business hours. With advance notice, The Daily Bread staff can arrange to pick up items from businesses. There are no pick-ups from residential addresses.
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What time can items be delivered to the Daily Bread?Items can be delivered to the rear door during business hours, Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-2:30 pm. We appreciate advance notice, so we can provide assistance and make room for the items.
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Can The Daily Bread pay utility bills or rent?The mission of The Daily Bread is to provide hot meals and food pantry services. We are unable able to assist with those types of services. Please contact your utility provider directly for assistance options or view the Lenawee Community Foundation's resource guide here for a listing of other agencies and community resources.
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How do I know what you are serving?The meal is based on what is available, so we are unable to publish a menu more than a week in advance. The current week's meals are displayed on a message board inside The Daily Bread. The meals and portion size meet USDA requirements. For information, see myplate.gov. If you have a medical condition that requires certain dietary accommodations, please consult with the Executive Director.