Originally posted on the Voice News By Nicole Tuttle
Local libraries will be providing nourishment for both the mind and body in March and April, when they serve as collection sites for the Gleaners Food for Thought drive.
Through the Food for Thought food drive, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan partners with local libraries. This year’s drive is being held March 17 to April 11. The participating libraries agree to accept nonperishable food donations in designated boxes at their locations. Some libraries also accept monetary donations at their locations.
Some of the libraries participating in the Food for Thought food drive this year include the Lois Wagner Memorial Library in Richmond, MacDonald Public Library in New Baltimore and the Chesterfield Township Library in Chesterfield Township.
Gleaners Community Giving Specialist Brian Sewell said Gleaners began the Food for Thought drive in 2013, suspended it during the COVID-19 pandemic and recently revived it. The partnership with libraries through the Suburban Library Cooperative started in an effort to encourage donations in the post-holiday season, he said.
“We get tons of support during holidays like Thanksgiving time, Christmas time, there’s a ton of donations and support. After the holiday season ends donations tend to slow down,” Sewell said.
As of March 4, 25 libraries had already registered to participate in the drive. Sewell anticipated that more would soon be signing up, as the registration window remained open until the drive’s start date. Invitations to participate in the drive were disseminated to libraries via the Suburban Library Cooperative, generally in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb and Livingston counties.
Food collection boxes and other materials are provided to participating libraries. Sewell said libraries can also choose to collect monetary donations for Gleaners via donation canisters.
“There is also an option for creating a virtual food drive page for them,” Sewell said.
Sewell also said last year’s Food for Thought food drive collected about 6,900 pounds of food and more than $1,200 dollars.
“Ultimately it allowed us to provide over 12,850 meals to the community we serve,” Sewell said.
This year Gleaners is hoping to collect a variety of unexpired, nonperishable food items via the drive, with a focus on some of the most frequently needed items.
“We always have a need for protein rich foods like canned chicken, canned tuna, beans, peanut butter, protein drinks, canned fruit and vegetables, soups, oatmeal, healthy cereal, baby formula, items like that,” Sewell said.
Lois Wagner Memorial Library Director Julianne Kammer said the food drive coincides with some of the library’s activities such as book and puzzle sales, which equates to more foot traffic in to the library. Last year the Lois Wagner Memorial Library contributed 182 pounds of food to the Food for Thought food drive.
“For us it’s an easy way to offer this to the community,” Kammer said.
The Lois Wagner Memorial Library is located at 35200 Division Road in Richmond. Hours are Mondays through Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Gleaners food collection bin will be located at the front of the building to accept donations.
Chesterfield Township Library Director Eric Magness-Eubank said participating in the food drive fits in with the library’s mission of serving the community.
“It is usually pretty easy for food banks to get food around Thanksgiving, it’s harder at other times of the year, and we’re happy to help,” Magness-Eubank said.
The Chesterfield Township Library is located at 50560 Patricia Ave. in Chesterfield Township. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A collection box will be available for Gleaners food donations inside the front door.
MacDonald Public Library Director Kristen Valyi-Hax said participating in the Gleaners Food for Thought food drive is a good opportunity for the New Baltimore library to act as a community center.
“Those who are motivated to help out others in our community can find a convenient place in order to do so,” Valyi-Hax said.
MacDonald Public Library is located at 36480 Main St. in New Baltimore. The Gleaners Food for Thought food collection box will be centrally and conveniently located within the library. The library is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for The Voice.
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