This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Rockin' for the Hungry Food and Fund Drive Celebrates 25 Years

This December marks the 25th anniversary of Washtenaw County’s largest food and fund drive, Rockin’ for the Hungry. Join Food Gatherers, ann arbor’s 107one and Kroger to celebrate this milestone with a gift of money or food on Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 8. The event will be broadcast live by ann arbor’s 107one FM. Simply stop by the Maple Road location or any Washtenaw County Kroger store to make a non-perishable food donation or to give a financial gift to Food Gatherers.

“In 25 years, Rockin’ for the Hungry has raised enough food and funds to provide roughly 5 million meals to people who struggle with hunger in our community,” said Eileen Spring, President and CEO of Food Gatherers. “While this is an opportunity to celebrate, it is also a time to express how much your support matters. One in seven people struggle with hunger in our community, and recent cuts to federal food programs mean that families will look to Food Gatherers and our hunger relief network to fill the gap in their food budgets.” 

This year Food Gatherers’ goal is to raise 200 tons of food, and each day of the event will feature matching gift opportunities for cash gifts to Food Gatherers. Individuals can track the event’s progress toward the 200 ton goal online at http://www.mlive.com/ann-arbor/

Find out what's happening in Salinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“As a member of the community, we have a sense of responsibility to serve our neighbors and help those in need,” said Jayne Homco, president, The Kroger Co. of Michigan. “Kroger's community priority is to support organizations like Food Gatherers who bring food and hope to our local families.”

More than 100 volunteers will be onsite at the Maple Road store collecting donations and “freezin’ for a reason” with Food Gatherers staff and radio personalities from 107one. Financial gifts of any denomination will be accepted at the Maple Road store by Food Gatherers staff during the event or online at www.foodgatherers.org. Donations of $1, $5 or $10 will also be accepted at the register of any Kroger store in Washtenaw County. Donations of non-perishable high protein items, such as: tuna or other canned meats, beans and peanut butter, are especially needed.

Find out what's happening in Salinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Event base and live broadcast location:

WED.-SUN., DEC. 3-7, 6AM-7PM,

and DEC. 8, 11AM-4PM

Kroger, 400 South Maple Rd., Ann Arbor and 

Live remote radio broadcasts will be held throughout the event at the following Kroger stores: 

TUE., DEC. 3, 3-6PM Kroger, 1919 South Industrial, Ann Arbor

WED., DEC. 4, 3-6PM Kroger, 1771 East Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti

THU., DEC. 5, 3-6PM Kroger, 531 Mooreville Rd., Milan

FRI., DEC.6, 3-6PM Kroger, 3200 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti

SAT., DEC.7, 3-6PM    Kroger, 2010 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

SUN., DEC.8, 12-3PM Kroger, 2641 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor

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. 

ann arbor’s 107one is Ann Arbor’s leading adult radio station. Home to the Martin Bandyke program in the morning, the station reaches 45,300 adults each week in the Washtenaw region and can be heard at 107.1-FM or on the web with streaming audio at www.annarbors107one.com


About The Kroger Co. of Michigan 

Incorporated in Michigan in 1909 and headquartered in Novi, The Kroger Co. of Michigan includes 16,000 associates, 130 Kroger stores, 47 fuel centers, 104 pharmacies and the Michigan Dairy.    

Nationally, Kroger is the largest traditional grocery retailer, employing more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,425 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The Company also operates 789 convenience stores, 337 fine jewelry stores, 1,109 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food processing plants in the U.S. Building on strong growth momentum, Kroger will invest in a targeted expansion strategy to increase square footage and store penetration in existing markets and enter new markets, including discount stores, drug stores, restaurants and more. 

Recognized in 2011 by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 160 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. For more information, visit Kroger.com.


We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?