(DETROIT – Jan. 1, 2019) … Gleaners Community Food Bank (Gleaners) has received a $96,500 grant from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation (Dresner)
allowing the organization to support food programs for children and
families at its two Ford Resource and Engagement Centers in Detroit.
Through
“Food at FREC,” Gleaners provides low-income families with nutritious
supplemental and emergency food that, in particular, supports the
healthy physical and mental development of children. Gleaners operates from
the two Ford Resource and Engagement Centers in Detroit, one in the
Southwest Detroit neighborhood and another on the east side. Each
location has its unique community needs, and the funds will help better
serve clients at both.
“We are so grateful for the Dresner Foundation’s support,” says Gerry Brisson, president and CEO
of Gleaners. “Our work aligns with Dresner’s commitment to youth and
supporting family food assistance programs. This grant will enable us to
provide more than just food – it will bring greater stability, health, and empowerment to our struggling neighbors and help kids reach their full potential.”
Funds from the Dresner Foundation will support the three major components of “Food at FREC”:
- The Mercado Food Hub: A client-choice pantry providing nutritious and culturally appropriate food at the Southwest FREC three days a week and serving over 50 households each day.
- Mercado Fresh Produce: A weekly supply of fresh fruits and vegetables at the Mercado Food Hub providing for up to 40 families per distribution.
- Eastside FREC Mobile Pantry: A mobile distribution center providing 25 pounds of food (including fresh produce, chicken, and milk) for 50-100 families during each visit.
About the Dresner Foundation
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation is dedicated
to transforming lives in profoundly positive ways through grants
focused on health, youth and family, and animal welfare. At the Dresner
Foundation, we believe in working with organizations in our focus areas
to create opportunity, have community impact and promote well-being. For
more information, visit www.dresnerfoundation.org.
About Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan
Headquartered
in Detroit, Gleaners operates five distribution centers in Wayne,
Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties and provides food to 528
partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and other
agencies throughout southeastern Michigan. In 2018, Gleaners distributed
more than 43 million pounds of food to neighbors in need! On average,
Gleaners distributes the equivalent of 96,348 meals each day and
provides nourishing food to 430,000 people, including 171,000 children a
year. Every dollar donated provides three meals and 93 cents of every
donated dollar goes to food and food programs. For more information,
visit www.gcfb.org.