URGENT UPDATE: A Livonia baker is changing lives this holiday season by opening a free food pantry to assist families impacted by recent changes to SNAP benefits. Hassan Makki, owner of Sweet 220 Bakery, has launched this initiative to provide essential food items for those struggling in Metro Detroit.
The pantry, located inside Makki’s bakery, offers a variety of free items including rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, oats, canned goods, and fresh produce, all funded by Makki himself. He emphasizes the importance of community support, stating, “Everything over here is free,” as he encourages visitors to take what they need.
Families are facing unprecedented challenges due to SNAP benefit cuts, making Makki’s initiative even more crucial. Community members, including Ramia Elhussaini and Teresa Morris, have voiced their gratitude for the bakery’s support. Morris remarked, “This is just a great opportunity for people to come in and grab things that they may need,” highlighting the pantry’s role in offering hope during tough times.
Makki, an Arab American from Dearborn, has a history of community service, previously delivering treats to first responders during power outages in 2023. This holiday season, he is expanding his generosity by adopting three local families to provide holiday desserts. The nominations have deeply touched him; one story described a single mother caring for three children while grappling with grief and financial hardship.
“I’ve been through family hardship and loss, and it’s hard to read them,” Makki shared, reflecting on the emotional weight of these nominations. His commitment to helping others is unwavering, as he strives to bring joy through small acts of kindness, like sweet treats during the holiday season.
The food pantry operates year-round, and Makki is determined to expand its offerings with ongoing community support. Families can submit nominations for holiday treats through the bakery’s Instagram account, @sweet220.
As the community rallies around this initiative, the impact of Makki’s work is evident. “One of the most beautiful things about our culture is the hospitality and giving back,” he said, embodying the spirit of generosity that defines this crucial effort.
Stay tuned for more updates on this inspiring story as it develops.
