Mike Ash grew up in a “humble neighborhood” in Harper Woods and was aware that a “cultural divide” existed between it and some of its wealthier neighbors. A desire to change that mindset led Ash to college a few years after high school, a decision wholly supported by his mom and dad, a secretary and tool and die maker, respectively.
“They are the ones who showed me the value of a strong work ethic. When I was ready, they are the ones who sent me to Macomb,” says Ash, who found it to be a perfect fit. “The small class sizes. Teachers who have time for you after class. The Learning Centers. I honestly loved it there.”
Ash was the first in his family to attend college, although a niece has recently followed his footsteps to Macomb. He earned a degree in general studies and was planning on transferring to Wayne State University before going into politics. But he became disillusioned with the competitiveness of it and life in general.
“I needed a project to dump my energy into,” offers Ash. “My sister is a single mother and my best friend’s sister was murdered by her husband. I decided I wanted to help the ladies and the babies.”
Ash launched Attack Hunger eight years ago to assist nonprofit organizations in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties that shelter women and children who are either homeless or escaping domestic violence. Alternating between six organizations: Alternatives for Girls, COTS, Detroit Rescue Mission, YWCA Interim House, Haven and Turning Point, Ash receives a “shopping list” of food and personal care items each week from the intended beneficiary and fills and delivers it in between his two jobs. With the help of volunteers, he also organizes and holds fundraisers for the organizations.
Ash started out selling granola/trail mix bundles to fund his project but switched to T-shirts because it was more profitable. He designs the T-shirts, some of which bear the Attack Hunger logo of a toothy shark, and has them printed at a shop in Detroit. Twenty percent of sales supports his humanitarian work.
“What I do now,” says Ash, “makes me feel good.”
Attack Hunger has a physical presence in the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale, where all of the stores offer handmade or found wares and are only open Friday-Sunday. Ash was able to arrange his full-time schedule at Moosejaw in Madison Heights, where he has worked for 10 years, to four 10-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday. His employer has been accommodating to his outside venture in other ways as well.
“The CEO brought his sons in and staffed the store one Saturday, so I could have a day off,” says Ash, who spent it on Lake St. Clair near his home in St. Clair Shores. “Kayaking is what I love to do. It gives me a fresh perspective.”
Committed to something larger than himself, Ash doesn’t mind the long hours his dual vocations require. And working with like-minded individuals has done nothing less than restore his faith in humanity.
“Everybody here wants everybody else to succeed,” says Ash. “So much more gets done through cooperation instead of competition.”