Originally posted on Press & Guide
More than 300,000 children in Southeast Michigan rely on free or reduced-cost breakfasts and lunches at school to provide two of their three daily meals. As children have had their educations disrupted during the continued COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important to make sure children also have nutritious food when they are not in school so hunger doesn’t get in the way of learning. Even for those attending school in-person, studies indicate the 1 in 5 children facing hunger in Southeast Michigan have a harder time concentrating in class and are more likely to repeat a grade.
Gleaners Community Food Bank and Weingartz are partnering on the 12th annual Mow Down Hunger campaign, which runs Sept. 13, 2021, to Oct. 12, 2021.
Weingartz, a Michigan-based and family-owned retailer of outdoor power equipment, will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to one million meals. With the Weingartz match, each dollar donated to Gleaners provides six nutritious meals to hungry children in Southeast Michigan.
“We know kids and families have a lot to worry about this school year with so much continued uncertainty, but with help from our community, hunger won’t be among them,” said Gleaners President and CEO Gerry Brisson. “Every child deserves to know where their next meal is coming from every day. We are so grateful for the support of Weingartz and our community to make sure students and their families get the nutritious meals they need at this incredibly important time.”