A Facebook group called "Downriver and Friends" has become a powerful force for community support in Michigan's Downriver area, helping save local businesses and bringing neighbors together in times of need.

The group, which started in 2013 with just nine people, now boasts more than 177,000 members ranging from residents to business owners across the Downriver community.

"In 2013, in Downriver, there were a lot of vacant buildings, mom and pop shops were going away and we really wanted to keep that Downriver feel," said Jennifer Guest, one of the group's founders and administrators.

Jim's Butcher Shop on Telegraph near West Huron River Drive has been serving fresh meats to the Flat Rock and Downriver areas since 1974. But in 2018, the family business faced closure due to economic chall

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