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Food Bank Of Eastern Michigan
History
Since 1981, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has vigorously pursued this mission to eradicate hunger within the community. With initial funding from the Mott Foundation, the Food Bank began providing grocery items to the needy in Genesee County from a small portion of the Sullivan & O'Sullivan Distributors warehouse. With a steadily increasing need for its services, the Food Bank soon grew from a staff of three operating out of this rented space to a five person staff operating out of a 90' x 100' donated warehouse.
The Food Bank became an affiliated member of the United Way in 1985 and joined Feeding America, a national network of food banks, in 1987. These organizations further enabled the Food Bank to continue expanding its service area, distributing food to those in need throughout 22 counties.
By 1990, the Food Bank had outgrown its location once again and moved to its current location on Lapeer Road. The existing warehouse was increased from 17,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet but the space was still not adequate and as distribution continued to increase, it became necessary to construct a 20,000 square foot addition, increasing the warehouse space to 42,000 square feet.
In 2002, Feeding America recognized the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan as the number one food bank in the nation with the Excellence in Food Banking Award. The Food Bank has also been honored with six Model Program Awards from Feeding America for innovative programs in technology, distribution, fund raising, public relations and programs.
In 2008, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan finished construction on the Thomas Landaal Food Recovery Center, a freezer, cooler and dock addition to aid in the Perishable Food Recovery Program with grocery chains. Partnerships with Sam's Club, Wal Mart, Kroger Stores and more, bring a valuable mix of donated product into the Food Bank daily for agency distribution. Total building capacity now exceeds 50,000 square feet for operations. Today the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan provides over 17 million pounds of food each year to those in need through more than 400 partner agencies. In 2008, the Food Bank experienced a 6 percent increase in pounds distributed to Partner Agencies.Partner agencies consist of local soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and food pantries who strive to feed the more than 200,000 people in eastern Michigan who go hungry on a daily basis. The excellent relationships established within the Food Bank's 22 county service area and throughout the state has allowed for numerous programs and initiatives to help fight hunger.
Since 1981, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has vigorously pursued this mission to eradicate hunger within the community. With initial funding from the Mott Foundation, the Food Bank began providing grocery items to the needy in Genesee County from a small portion of the Sullivan & O'Sullivan Distributors warehouse. With a steadily increasing need for its services, the Food Bank soon grew from a staff of three operating out of this rented space to a five person staff operating out of a 90' x 100' donated warehouse.
The Food Bank became an affiliated member of the United Way in 1985 and joined Feeding America, a national network of food banks, in 1987. These organizations further enabled the Food Bank to continue expanding its service area, distributing food to those in need throughout 22 counties.
By 1990, the Food Bank had outgrown its location once again and moved to its current location on Lapeer Road. The existing warehouse was increased from 17,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet but the space was still not adequate and as distribution continued to increase, it became necessary to construct a 20,000 square foot addition, increasing the warehouse space to 42,000 square feet.
In 2002, Feeding America recognized the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan as the number one food bank in the nation with the Excellence in Food Banking Award. The Food Bank has also been honored with six Model Program Awards from Feeding America for innovative programs in technology, distribution, fund raising, public relations and programs.
In 2008, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan finished construction on the Thomas Landaal Food Recovery Center, a freezer, cooler and dock addition to aid in the Perishable Food Recovery Program with grocery chains. Partnerships with Sam's Club, Wal Mart, Kroger Stores and more, bring a valuable mix of donated product into the Food Bank daily for agency distribution. Total building capacity now exceeds 50,000 square feet for operations. Today the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan provides over 17 million pounds of food each year to those in need through more than 400 partner agencies. In 2008, the Food Bank experienced a 6 percent increase in pounds distributed to Partner Agencies.Partner agencies consist of local soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and food pantries who strive to feed the more than 200,000 people in eastern Michigan who go hungry on a daily basis. The excellent relationships established within the Food Bank's 22 county service area and throughout the state has allowed for numerous programs and initiatives to help fight hunger.