The Michigan Harvest Gathering (MHG) is the chief fund and food raising campaign of the Michigan Food Bank Council. The Michigan Department of Agriculture will again spearhead the effort for state employees as it has for the past fourteen years. The state employees' campaign runs from October 24, 2005, until November 7, 2005.
Each year, thousands of state employees participate in the MHG campaign along with thousands of individuals, school children, hospital employees, corporations, foundations, associations, and manufacturers who donate food and cash. Last year, state employees donated over 90,000 pounds of food and over $34,000.
Michigan has six regional food banks that cover specific territories to ensure that all 83 counties are served. Joey Harrington of the Detroit Lions will support this year's harvest gathering as an Honorary Chair to help raise funds, food, and awareness of hunger throughout the State of Michigan. Some areas of the state are indicating a 25 percent increase in people who are seeking help with food this year.
Facts About Michigan's Harvest Gathering:
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1.
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The 2005
goal is to raise $350,000 and collect 500,000 pounds of food. |
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2.
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Since
1991, MHG has raised over $4.3 million and collected 6.6 million pounds
of food for hungry people throughout Michigan. |
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3.
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About 1
million people will use a food bank this year. |
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4.
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Michigan
food banks will distribute over 75 million pounds of food this year valued
at over $10 million. |
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5.
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Last year, donations made it possible for food banks to distribute over 11 million pounds of food around Michigan for under 2 cents per pound, and procure over 450,000 pounds at a cost of 21 cents per pound. |
All the food collected by state employees is distributed to food banks in local areas. One hundred percent of the money collected in the state employees' drive goes to transport food or to buy highly desirable food items such as tuna fish and canned fruit. About 50 percent of the food goes to either the very young or the elderly. Monetary contributions are tax deductible.
Every department has a Harvest Gathering coordinator to assist you in creating fun ways to make this event a success. For example, some departments are having chili cook-offs, can sculpture contests, raffles, and bake sales, among the activities in the two-week drive for food and funds.
If you want to help Michigan
families and enjoy the fun of a fifteen-year tradition among state employees,
donate food and funds to Michigan Harvest Gathering. Bins and boxes are available
in locations throughout state government. Fill them up! Although the state employees
drive takes place over a two-week period, all Department of State branch offices
are also accepting food until the day before Thanksgiving.
For further information, contact Saralee Howard, Coordinator, Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) at 517-241-2669 or howards9@michigan.gov or visit the website at http://www.michigan.gov/mda.