Macomb County supports victims of opioid epidemic

A Macomb County charity is doing everything it can to support the children left vulnerable and hungry after losing parents to the opioid epidemic that's been claiming a lot of lives in Metro Detroit.

"It's risen probably I would say about 50 to 60 percent ... because of opioids," said Cheryl Becigneul.

She's the founder of Macomb Feeding the Need Community Kitchen. What started out as a place to feed the homeless has turned into so much more, especially for kids whose parents are addicted to opioids.

"There are over 6,000 homeless children in Macomb County," Becigneul said. "They come in and they eat."

Whether it's kids who are in a bad situation through no fault of their own, homeless who need help or someone who is reaching out, needing something to eat, Cheryl is there.

"They have to go to somebody they trust," she said.

The place was at a crossroads about a year ago after funding got cut and it looked like the doors were going to close for good. That's when Chef Bobby walked in.

"I just want to give back. I've been blessed with a really good career. And this is food - I'm food - this is what I do," he said.

Chef Bobby was helping out with a school initiative through his daughter's high school. They came upon Macomb feeding the need and this kitchen didn't have any food to provide. So he had food sent over from his Lakeland Banquet and Event Center delivered, and he's been doing it ever since.

"He has been a godsend," Cheryl said.

And in the last year, there have been several people and businesses who have helped keep these doors open, but with the holidays quickly approaching, they could use your help as well. For more information on how, go to MacombFTN.org.