About Us

Oxford/Orion FISH provides emergency aid in the form of food, and other agency referrals to individuals who live in: Oxford,  Lake Orion, Addison/Leonard and parts of Oakland Townships.  People who have a need can call our office at: (248) 628-3933.  Our daily volunteers will call you back, assess the problem, identify the need, and work toward a solution.  The action may be an appointment for that afternoon at the FISH food pantry  to receive emergency groceries to last 5-7 days; and often referrals to other agencies for additional assistance.  The phone volunteers keep detailed records of these calls as clients may receive food only once a month.

 

Since Oakland County is known as one of the wealthiest areas in the country, many people are surprised that there are families in need.  Indeed, the need not only exists, but is  growing at an alarming rate.  Because of our generous neighbors,  FISH also offers a Thanksgiving and Easter Basket that furnishes food for holiday dinners; AngelFISH which provides Christmas gifts for qualified children, and our Back-to-School Program which provides school supplies and backpacks to needy children.

 

Each FISH chapter across the country is chartered individually and operates independently according to their ability.  There is no national umbrella or national organization.  We are a group of volunteers who staff the telephone and pantry four days a week and four times a month solely for the elderly.  The Oxford/Orion FISH has a board of eleven Board of Directors  who make major decisions, provide guidance and training for our members and are involved in various projects within the community and no one within our organization is paid.

 

While we work closely with other family-aid agencies to assist our neighbors, we are unique in that we are financially supported almost entirely by private contributions from residents, businesses, area churches and schools.  Although the Gleaners, OLHSA (Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency) and Forgotten Harvest give us surplus food, most of our food is collected through local food drives conducted by groups such as: the Postal Workers, schools, businesses, churches, boy and girl scouts and local civic and religious groups.

 

Food is also purchased from local merchants using the financial resources given to us from many individuals who consistently donate,  churches who tithe weekly,  young groups such as scouts collect bottles, cans and food; larger groups such as women’s and men’s clubs try and outdo each other with creative ways to support FISH with raffles, rummage sales, selling flowers, etc.  Other people make cash or gift card donations regularly.

 

Oxford/Orion FISH only exists because  we have wonderful community support!!

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors”