A Trip Through Detroit’s Poorest Neighborhoods on the Bed & Bread Truck

WDET

The Salvation Army has done a lot to help underserved communities in cities across the country, as well as right here in Detroit. Other than accepting clothing donations, the Salvation Army also has food trucks, known as the Salvation Army Bed and Bread Truck, that drive around some of America’s poorest neighborhoods serving food to residents in need. Turns out, Detroit is home to the first Bed and Bread Truck. 

For the past few months, Detroit Free Press reporter John Carlisle has been riding around with Detroit’s Bed and Bread truck, learning more about the individuals who work in the truck and the people who depend on it. 

WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper speaks with Carlisle about riding with the Bed and Bread truck and the subsequent article he wrote about it. 

“The idea originally was to get on this truck and do a story about its route,” explains Carlisle. “It drives through the poorest neighborhoods of the city feeding people everyday.” 

The article features a man named Gregory Taylor, one of the truck’s drivers, “who was himself a former drug addict.”

 Carlisle emphasizes that the people who depend on the services provided by the truck are never criticized.

“You get food regardless of who you are. Regardless if you’re intoxicated. Regardless of whether you’re poor or rich,” he says. “They don’t question people who pull up in cars asking for food or if they come in a wheelchair. Everybody who says they’re hungry gets fed.” 

Click on the audio player above for the full conversation.