Food Gatherers Announces $50,000 Matching Gift Challenge

A local anonymous donor has offered to match, dollar for dollar, financial gifts made to Food Gatherers up to $50,000 through Monday, March 31. With the match in place, donations to Food Gatherers of one dollar will provide enough food for six meals.

To have your financial gift matched, simply make a donation to Food Gatherers between now and March 31. Individuals are encouraged to make their gift online by visiting www.foodgatherers.org/donate.  Check donations should be postmarked by March 31 and mailed to: Food Gatherers, P.O. Box 7971, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-7971.  For questions about the match, please call (734) 761-2796.

Food Gatherers is celebrating 25 years fighting hunger where we live! That is 60 million pounds of food and countless plates that have been filled with not just food, but hope for the people we serve.

·        More than 46,850 individuals are “food insecure” in Washtenaw County, including 10,060 children (Map the Meal Gap 2013, Feeding America). 

·        We estimate that more than 40% of these individuals are not eligible for federal food programs and instead rely solely on the efforts of hunger relief charities (Map the Meal Gap 2013, Feeding America). 

·        In FY 2013, Food Gatherers spent $1.2 M on food purchasing, a 15% increase over the past three years.

·        Of the 5.45 M pounds of food distributed to our network last year, 35% was produce and 20% was protein.

Food Gatherers is Washtenaw County’s food bank and food rescue program, distributing more than 5 million pounds of food to 150 non-profit programs serving low-income adults, seniors and children annually. Recipient programs include hot meal programs, residential programs and programs targeting low-income children and seniors. For a list of food donors and recipient agencies or to learn how you can become involved in the fight against hunger locally, please visit www.foodgatherers.org or call (734) 761-2796.