WESTLAND (WWJ) - A local organization is hosting another gas giveaway following their success in Pontiac.
Nation Outside will be giving away $15,000 in free gas at the BP station in Westland starting at noon on Sunday, October 29.
Director of Policy and Operations Tony Gant said in an interview with WWJ's Tony Ortiz that the giveaways started last year. The events allow the organizers to talk with the public about the group.
"We partnered last year with a church in Detroit and that was our first time doing an event like that, Gant said. What we found was one there's obviously a pent-up demand for free gas. And it's a great way to engage with people to learn about Nation Outside who may have otherwise never heard of us."
Gant said what sets Nation Outside apart is who makes up their group.
"Nation Outside is a grassroots organization based in Michigan made up of formerly incarcerated people," Gant said. "We are pretty unique because we are led from top to bottom by people with the actual lived experience of what it's like to either be incarcerated or to be touched by the justice system. Our mission is to drive policy and practice reform to create transformative systems of support for people with criminal histories."
The organization gave away gas in Pontiac last weekend and Gant said they plan to continue the giveaways.
"I think we're going to be doing quite a few of these going forward into the future as a way to keep talking to the community and keep giving back," Gant said. "We know people are suffering so we figure this is a good way to help people and to give them some education about Nation Outside."
Gant said Nation Outside wants to help build a better Michigan by giving those with criminal histories a real chance to rejoin the community.
"It makes more sense if we're going to release people to ensure they have a pathway to building a life," Gant said. "That runs in line with us having safe communities, and building out better people and citizens. Right now people with criminal history face a number of barriers from housing to employment, sometimes access to education. All those things are counterproductive to the Michigan we all want to see going forward. We want to see our citizens have an opportunity to prosper and I think it makes sense."
Nation Outside said they will give each car $40 in free gas while supplies last. The BP gas station is located at 31411 Joy Road in Westland.
People looking for more information on the group are invited to visit Nation Outside's Facebook page or their website.
