Posted on Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.
Rockin' for the Hungry nets 147 tons of food and counting
By Julie Baker
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Food Gatherers employee Kara Bloom updates the graph for the total food and funds outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday. The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Food Gatherers employee Kara Bloom updates the graph for the total food and funds outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday. The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Volunteer Sarah Young, of Royal Oak, hands out flyers to customers as the enter the store outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Volunteer Annette Sandretto, of Ann Arbor, pushes a cart filled with donated groceries to be unloaded outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Volunteer Annette Sandretto, of Ann Arbor, adds groceries and other donated items to a storage container outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Norah, left, and Owen Lecloux, of Ann Arbor, wait by the donation jar as their dad, Mike, makes out a check outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Radio Personality John Bommarito broadcasts to radio listeners via a headset outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Lou Raymer, of Grasslake, looks over the many CDs offered as a gift incentive after donating outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Tara Griffith, of Ann Arbor, donates a bag of groceries outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Volunteer Szu-Fun Chao, of Ann Arbor, is 'freezin' for a reason' as she waits for passers by to hand flyers to outside Kroger on South Maple Road in Ann Arbor on Sunday Dec. 11 . The five-day event, 'Rockin' for the Hungry,' was hosted by Food Gatherers and Kroger, and was broadcasted live by Ann Arbor's 107one FM. Chris Asadian I AnnArbor.com
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Rockin' for the Hungry has taken in 147 tons of food in its five-day course, and organizers expect that number to grow as the final tally is taken.
"We're encouraging everyone to continue to give online while we tally register and food donations collected at all Washtenaw County Kroger stores and food and cash collected this evening at the (Rockin') Afterglow party," said Mary Schlitt, development director for Food Gatherers.
Food Gatherers had a goal of collecting 200 tons of food. AnnArbor.com was there along the way to track the progress toward meeting that goal on a carrot-o-meter, which was updated regularly throughout the drive.
More food and donations were expected at Sunday evening's Rockin' Afterglow at Wolverine Brewery. A final tally is expected Monday.
Comments
Leah Gunn
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.
To answer Terry Star21 - Food Gatherers was started by Paul Saginiw, one of the owners of Zingerman's. They rescue food from restaurants and markets, and also accept non-perishable donations. They have a large warehouse on Carrot Way in the north side of Ann Arbor, and they partner with about 150 food pantries all across the county to serve those in need. They also run the Community Kitchen in the Delonis Center, and train youth to become skilled and certified in food handling. Go to <a href="http://www.foodgatherers.org" rel='nofollow'>www.foodgatherers.org</a> for detailed information. They are a most remarkable organization and most deserving of everyone's support.
Terry Star21
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
I'm very proud to live in such a great area that takes care of it's needy and also plans for it's homeless. It is sometimes too easy for others to say why can't these people (needy/homeless) get it together, and go out and get a job - but the just don't understand. The majority of these people are in real need of our assistance and can not work and it is quite unfortunate that sometimes neediest are the most afraid to ask. We are very fortunate in our lives, and we must continue to help our needy/homeless - but it is of most importance for us to encourage those (particular w/ young children) to step out and ask for help.
Terry Star21
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
@ Julie. I was curious and I may have missed this in your previous two articles. I don't know much about this organization - how and who are the recipients of these food donations ? Thank you.