Rockin' for the Hungry collects 125 tons of food — but more is needed
Updated with new totals at 5:30 p.m.
The annual Rockin' for the Hungry food drive has collected 125 tons of food — but organizers say much more is needed to reach the goal of 200 tons by the time it ends Sunday.
The five-day effort for Food Gatherers started Wednesday at its new location, Kroger on South Maple Road, and ends Sunday afternoon.
Mary Schlitt of Food Gatherers said this afternoon that cash donations are on par with last year, but food donations are down. The cash donations included a $20,000 gift from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is matching as much as 50 percent of monetary donations made during the drive, with a maximum grant award of $75,000.
Schlitt encouraged people to stop by Kroger and take advantage of sales on peanut butter and canned goods to make a gift to the drive.
Foods high in protein, canned and dry foods are especially needed. Some suggestions include tuna, soup, stew, chili, corned beef, roast beef hash, kidney, pinto, refried, black and green beans, rice noodles, peanut butter, baby formula, and nutritional supplement drinks such as Ensure or Boost.
Last year, Rockin' for the Hungry set a record with 258 tons of food gathered.
Ann Arbor's 107one, a sponsor of the drive, is broadcasting live from a few Kroger locations.
Though the South Maple Road location is the official site for the food drive, all Kroger locations in Washtenaw County will accept donations made at the register during the drive. All donations are tax-deductible and qualify for a state of Michigan tax credit.
More than 43,900 people receive emergency food annually through Food Gatherers' network of food pantries and meal sites, according to Food Gatherers.
Comments
Kristine
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
I donate canned goods every year to the Rockin' for the Hungry drive -- I even donated last Christmas-time, when I was out of work. I knew that no matter how bad off I was, someone else was in more dire straits than myself. You folks (Food Gatherers, 107.1, etc.) do great work. Your efforts are sincerely appreciated.
Brad
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
We just visited the FG warehouse the other day, and it is an impressive operation. They were telling us how their demand had gone up substantially over the last couple of years. You look around AA and don't see it, but there are a lot of people out there needing help with food right now. Too many. Please help if you can.
Peter
Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 6:07 p.m.
Food gatherers is a great organization. thanks to everyone who volunteers!
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 4:01 p.m.
Hopefully, the goal will be met. It is unfortunate that canned foods are preferred; less processed foods tend to be both cheaper and more nutritious. It is frustrating watching some folks pay top dollar for factory food.