Aid in Milan Marks 50 Years as Need Grows

Aid in Milan is celebrating 50 years of neighbors helping neighbors, even as demand for food and direct aid continues to rise across the greater Milan area.

The nonprofit marked its anniversary June 12 with an open house for partners, stakeholders and local leaders at its 89 W. Main St. building. The milestone year will continue June 24 with a free public birthday party featuring music, food, inflatables, face painting, games and more.

Executive Director Andrew Felder said Aid in Milan reached its half-century mark because of local residents, donors, volunteers and partner organizations.

“It really is the community that has helped us get to the point that we’re at now in serving the Greater Milan area,” Felder said.

Aid in Milan’s 2025 impact report shows the scale of that work. The organization served 6,821 households in 2025, a 48% increase from 2024, and 21,012 individuals, 52% more than the previous year. The report also lists 4,415 seniors served, 22,078 meals for children through the Summer Food Service Program, $80,414 in direct aid for rent, gas, holiday gift programs and other emergency needs, and 2,553 volunteer hours.

Felder said the pantry is now serving more than 150 families a week. Pantry visits have tripled over the past three years, he said, while direct aid requests have tripled in the past 12 months.

At the same time, the nonprofit is renovating its building through a state grant. Felder said improvements include new windows, an ADA-compliant restroom, and planned parking lot and porch work intended to make the building more accessible, including for people using wheelchairs.

“We’re making the investments and the partnerships necessary to make that happen,” he said.

Space remains a challenge. Felder said the board has a three-year strategic plan that includes exploring secondary locations and other options.

“The space is a little bit constraining,” he said. “You all walked through the pantry. You see what we have to work with.”

Felder said volunteers are also needed, including for the summer food program, which begins June 18 at Symons Elementary School.

“Nonprofits, if you ask anybody, are a team sport,” Felder said.

Aid in Milan’s free 50th birthday party will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at 89 W. Main St. The open house-style event is open to the public and will include music, food, inflatables, face painting, games and other family activities.

“We are here by the actions of all of you,” Felder said.