ribbon ceremony

In August 2024, when The Last Mile program ended, my heart was heavy. Families in Saginaw and Bay City began to ask me: “Will it ever start back up?” “Who will help us now? ” “How will we get food delivered to our homes?” They shared how much of a blessing it was to have someone care enough to bring food to their doors. With tears in my eyes, I had to tell them, “No more food will be delivered.” That night, I went home brokenhearted. I prayed and cried out to God, “You know my heart to help people. Lord, they feel like Hope has let them down.” In that moment, His Word came to me: Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. I held onto that promise and prayed, “Lord, You started this work. You opened the door. And I believe You will finish what You started.” Not long after, I spoke with FBEM. They told me how much they appreciated the way I served during distributions—especially delivering food directly to people in need. Then they asked if I would consider becoming one of their agencies. With space available in my building’s warehouse, I said yes. By November 2024, I was officially signed on as an FBEM agency. That month, I hosted my very first food distribution—with the hope of opening a full food pantry in 2025. But in January 2025, everything changed. After one of our distributions, I suffered a serious injury that left me in unbearable pain. I could no longer do what l loved, and for seven long months I couldn’t even return to my office. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. Calls kept coming in: “When will distributions start again? When will the pantry open?” And each time, my heart broke, because I couldn’t even help myself—let alone others. Yet through it all, I never stopped praying. In the middle of my pain, I kept asking God for strength. By summer, my body began to heal, slowly but surely. Then, in the midst of it all, I received a miracle: my doctor told me I was healed of SLE Lupus. No trace left in my body. That news alone gave me the courage to keep pressing forward. One day in middle of September as I prayed, I heard the Lord whisper: “Now start working on the food pantry.” That very same week, the owner of my building approached me about a larger warehouse space—one that could be transformed in just 30 days. I knew then: God’s timing is always perfect. And now, here we are—opening the doors of Cornerstone of Hope Food Pantry. My vision is simple but strong: Provide pantry hours Monday through Friday, with emergency weekend hours available. Offer delivery service especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and those without access to transportation—ensuring no one is left behind. I know I can’t feed the entire world, but I can make a difference right here in our community. I can go the last mile to bring hope to someone in need. If you would like to support this ministry—through donations, volunteering, or even just spreading the word—you can help fight food insecurity in our community. Together, we can put a stop to hunger and spread the gift of: Hope.

The United Together Lupus Foundation (UTLF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity and supporting community wellness across the Great Lakes Bay Region. Our flagship program, the Cornerstone of Hope Food Pantry, ensures individuals and families have regular access to healthy, nourishing food and includes delivery and emergency support for those facing transportation or other challenges. While our primary focus is reducing hunger and promoting nutritional access, we continue to provide educational programs, resources, and support for individuals living with lupus. UTLF is committed to building a stronger, more compassionate community where every person can thrive with hope and stability.

UTLF Purpose:
To combat food insecurity and provide consistent access to nutritious food through the Cornerstone of Hope Food Pantry, while continuing to support individuals living with lupus and other community members in need.

UTLF Mission:
The United Together Lupus Foundation is dedicated to combating hunger and food insecurity in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Through the Cornerstone of Hope Food Pantry, we provide free food five days a week, with emergency and delivery services for those unable to travel. While our primary focus is on ensuring access to nutritious food, we continue to support individuals living with lupus through educational programs, and financial assistance, fostering a community of hope, stability, and nourishment.

UTLF Vision:
We envision a community where no one goes hungry, and all individuals have access to the nutrition they need to thrive. The United Together Lupus Foundation strives to be a leading advocate for food security, while also supporting those living with lupus, creating a compassionate, resilient community that promotes health, well-being, and opportunity for all.

Our motto is: “Together, we can put a stop to hunger and spread the gift of hope.” Through the power of a united community, the United Together Lupus Foundation strives to provide reliable access to nutritious food, support families, seniors, and individuals in need, and foster hope and stability. As a beacon of care and compassion, we are committed to alleviating hunger while continuing to offer support to those living with lupus.

Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Monday – Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Saturday & Sunday