Southeast Michigan Children will enjoy a Hunger Free summer in 2011
- Ford Motor Company Fund will donate up to $50,000 to support the Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Hunger Free Summer Campaign
- The ten-week campaign will provide 2 million meals to hungry children in southeast Michigan
Detroit, Mich., June 24 - Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners) are partnering with Ford Motor Company Fund, Charter One Foundation, and other corporate and community donors to provide 2 million meals to hungry southeast Michigan children this summer through their Hunger Free Summer campaign.
More than 300,000 children in southeast Michigan receive free or reduced-fee meals during the school year. In the summer months, they often go without. During the ten-week Hunger Free Summer campaign, (through September 1) donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. Charter One, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hiller’s and The Young Foundation also will provide funding. Additionally, Hiller’s and Hollywood Market(s) shoppers can add a Hunger Free Summer donation to their bill at checkout registers.
Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest will provide children with food through their Summer Lunch, BackPack, Daily Bread and mobile pantry programs. Every $1 donation provides eight nutritious lunches for hungry children in SE Michigan.
Now through September 1, donations can be made:
- Online at www.HungerFreeSummer.org
- Calling 888-332-7140
- Text “HFS” TO 85944 (a $10 donation will be added to donor’s cell phone bill –message and data rates may apply.)
- Checks by Mail: Hunger Free Summer - P.O. Box 1380, Troy, MI 48099
- Adding a donation of $1, $3, $5 or more at all Hiller’s and Hollywood Market(s) checkout registers
The public can support and follow the campaign at HungerFreeSummer on Twitter and Facebook.
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About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 27,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.
About Forgotten Harvest:
Forgotten Harvest was formed in 1990 to fight two problems: hunger and waste. Forgotten Harvest is on track to rescue more than 23 million pounds of food this year by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food from more than 450 sources, including grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors and other Health Department-approved sources. This donated food, which would otherwise go to waste, is delivered free-of-charge to 165emergency food providers in the Metro Detroit area. Learn more about Forgotten Harvest and how to help drive hunger from our community at www.forgottenharvest.org.
About Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners):
Founded in 1977, Gleaners is one of the oldest and largest food banks in the country. Today it distributes more than 36 million pounds of emergency food annually, equivalent to over 532,000 meals per week. Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners operates a total of five distribution centers, in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties, which provide food to 484 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and other agencies throughout southeastern Michigan. Of every dollar donated, Gleaners uses 96 cents for food and food programs. One dollar provides three meals for a hungry neighbor. Learn more at www.gcfb.org.
