The Potluck - 2/6/26
2026 Volunteer Fair (March 7): Want to get involved in the community? Ypsi Pride is bringing together nonprofits and local groups for a volunteer fair where you can learn more about what they do and sign up to get involved with their great work! Come check it out Saturday, March 7, from 1-5 PM at the Indoor Farmers Market on 16 S Washington. More details about all the amazing organizations who will be in attendance coming soon!
As always, if you have any suggested changes or additions to the newsletter, please put them in the comments. Constructive feedback is always welcome.
Events and Volunteer Needs
*The events I’m listing are ones from local nonprofits and grassroots groups. If you see any events missing, please add in comments!
BuddyUp with FedUp Ministries and Peace House: Community allies are matched with neighbors in need from the community to create a buddy system. Some allies provide only financial support for groceries and beyond, while others can only offer non-financial resources such as rides to a food pantry or grocery stores, laundry help, emotional support, etc. If you want to get involved, send a direct message to FedUp.
FedUp Ministries Volunteer Needs (sign up through this link):
Saturday, February 7
7:00am - 11:00am: Meal Prep at FPCY
300 N Washington St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Sunday, February 8
7:00am - 11:00am: Meal Prep at FPCY
300 N Washington St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Daytime Warming Center Volunteers Needed: The Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor Daytime Warming Centers are in need of volunteers and donations! There are plenty of opportunities available on their signup link.
Gardening Planning Workshop: Ready to plan your home or school garden? Join the Teen Leadership Program for a free Garden Planning Workshop on Thursday, February 19, at 5 pm at 16 S. Washington. Learn square-foot gardening and companion planting, and go home with free seeds. Registration is free, but required. Register here!
Volunteers Needed: GH Incubator Kitchen Floor Refresh: Growing Hope is upgrading the floors at the Growing Hope Incubator Kitchen and need a small team of volunteers on February 22 and 27 to help move heavy equipment. Your strength supports community cooks, small food businesses, and shared kitchen programs.
Sign up today: February 22, 5-8 pm | February 27, 5-8 pm
Resources and Learning Opportunities
Community Resistance Whistle Alert System: Learn more about how to use whistles to alert people to the presence of ICE.
Productive ICE Resistance: Check out this guide for ideas on how to show up in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors and resist ICE. This guide is a national one, but locally, the organization I’ve seen people point to the most is the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
Stereotypes and Self Esteem (February 7): In this session with the Ypsilanti District Library, participants will identify and discuss stereotypes, their impacts on our self-esteem, and ways you can take your power back by not allowing those stereotypes to define or alter how you look at yourselves and others. This session will be facilitated by licensed Therapist Nerissa Legg, owner of Black Girls Crowned.
History of Soul Food and Taste Test (February 12): Take a delicious journey through the roots, resistance, and resilience found in Black soul food traditions, and taste samples from local soul food producers.
Around the Kitchen Table with Peace House Ypsi Free Brunch (February 15): Join Peace House at Growing Hope’s Market Place Hall for their monthly free brunch and community building event. Free to everyone. They always have omni, vegan and gluten-free options. If you want to bring a dish, cook, or help set up/clean up, message them on Facebook or text/call Lisa at 734.347.7784. You can also contribute funds through Venmo @LisaGizzi.
Sexual Health in Recovery: Consent & Relationships (February 18): The Sexual Health in Recovery: Consent + Relationships webinar is designed for folks in treatment or recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD), those who work within recovery communities, or for anyone looking to build a deeper understanding of the role consent and relationships play in our overall sexual health. Participants will gain practical tools to navigate consent and build supportive relationships — all while centering recovery and maintaining personal boundaries.
Chinese New Year Celebration (February 21): Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Ann Arbor District Library! There will be a lion dance, drumming, and children’s folk dance performances. You can also learn how to use a Chinese yaogu drum, make fun crafts, and take home a traditional Chinese treat.
Author Event | 1st Michigan Colored Regiment with Maurice Imhoff (February 22): Join Ann Arbor District Library for an inspiring afternoon with historian Maurice Imhoff, author of The 1st Michigan Colored Regiment, as he brings to life the remarkable story of Michigan’s first and only African American regiment during the Civil War. In this compelling work, Imhoff illuminates the courage, resilience, and patriotism of the men who fought not only for the Union, but also for freedom and equality in a nation divided.
Washtenaw County Daytime & Overnight Warming Shelters: This is a list of all of the daytime and overnight warming shelters in Washtenaw County.
Food Resources in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor: I saw this on Reddit so I can’t give credit to whoever put this together, but this is a list of all of the food resources in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.
Rx Kids Officially Launched in Ypsilanti: Enrollment is now open for Rx Kids, a program that provides all pregnant residents with no-strings-attached cash of $1500 during pregnancy and $500 each month throughout their baby’s first sixth months of life. Visit Rxkids.org/Ypsilanti to apply or get more information. All pregnant residents who live within the City of Ypsilanti are eligible to apply, along with families who have infants born on or after December 1, 2025.
Political Action
No Kings Protest (March 28): The next mass mobilization for No Kings will be March 28. If you’re interested in being involved in local organizing around this event, there are Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor Indivisible groups.