December 8, 2022
Jessica Matthews / news@whmi.com
Livingston County residents and others in need will benefit from a recent donation to the Gleaners Community Food Bank in Southeast Michigan.
For the sixth year in a row; Walmart, Bimbo Bakeries USA (Sara Lee Bread) and Tyson Foods join forces to help end hunger. The three companies donated 40,000 pounds of food — the equivalent of thousands of meals — to the Gleaners Community Food Bank through their partnership with Feeding America. It will help those fighting hunger in the counties served by the food bank.
Food insecurity has increased throughout the pandemic, and then inflation over the past year has further challenged struggling households and emergency food networks, officials said. Feeding America foodbanks — such as Gleaners Community Food Bank — continue to be sought after as lifelines in this era of increased demand.
Representatives from each organization visited the Gleaners Community Food Bank this week to volunteer, make donations and tour the facility. As part of the partnership, Walmart, Bimbo Bakeries of America and Tyson Foods donated 5,000 pounds of bread and 35,000 pounds of protein, which will be delivered to individuals and families in the coming weeks.
“The pandemic has created new challenges for families, many of whom are facing hunger for the first time,” said Gerry Brisson, President and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank. Families are experiencing the harmful stress of food insecurity. Giving like this helps us keep up with the increased demand from the recent health and economic crisis to end hunger in Southeast Michigan.”
Gleaners Community Food Bank provides food to more than 600 partner pot kitchens, pantries, shelters and other agencies in the region. It complements these partners’ efforts by offering direct service-driven grocery delivery. The Livingston Distribution Center is located off Sterling Drive in Howell.
In 2021, Gleaners distributed a record 71.4 million pounds of food to neighbors in need. Every dollar donated provides three meals, and 94 cents of every dollar donated goes to food and food programs.
