Matched Donations Double Impact to Provide Area Children with Needed Nutrition
(Detroit, MI – October 11, 2016) … On Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 9:45 a.m., volunteers and staff of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners) will receive a truck filled with over 4,300 gallons of milk at the agency’s Detroit Warehouse & Distribution Center (2131 Beaufait St. in Detroit – MAP). Executives from Gleaners and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) will share the importance and impact of its milk donation program.
Gleaners has received 39,888 gallons of fresh milk donations over the past year from UDIM, Kroger and the Michigan Milk Producers Association. Additionally, Gleaners purchased another 21,600 gallons, including the truck that’s being delivered on October 18, through financial donations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Quicken Loans, Gleaners volunteers and other generous donors. The Milk Match Program will help Gleaners provide a total 61,488 gallons of milk to food insecure families in SE Michigan this year.
“Fresh milk is a nutritious staple for children, and one of the most requested foods by the families we serve, who frequently don’t have sufficient resources to buy it. Yet, milk is rarely donated,” said Julie Beamer, Gleaners Chief Operating Officer. “We’re humbled by the continued generosity of our donors who help ensure that thousands of children here in southeastern Michigan have the protein and calcium-rich milk they need to help them learn, grow and play.”
According to Feeding America, milk is among the top five requested foods by food bank clients but sourcing and distributing a consistent supply of milk and milk products is a challenge; one of the main reasons dairy comprises only 5.3 percent of food available in food banks. Gleaners is one of the only food banks in Michigan capable of storing and transporting milk.
“Hunger is a serious issue and with an average of eight grams of high-quality protein per cup, milk is an ideal product to supply hungry individuals,” said registered dietitian and UDIM Chief Executive Officer Sharon Toth. “On behalf of all Michigan dairy farm families, UDIM is incredibly proud to partner with Gleaners to help fill a nutrient gap and increase access to milk. There isn’t anything closer to our farmers’ hearts than feeding people.”
9:45am: Volunteers will unload UDIM truck filled with 4,320 gallons of milk.
10:00am: Short program with speakers: Gleaners COO Julie Beamer, UDIM CEO Sharon Toth and UDIM Board President Jim Reid. Speakers will share information about the impact UDIM’s Milk Match program is having on health and wellness within our communities.
10:15am: Media interviews and photo opportunities.
If you would like to make a contribution to the Milk Match, please visit us here.
About Gleaners Community Food Bank
For nearly 40 years, Gleaners Community Food Bank has been “feeding hungry people and nourishing our communities.” From its Detroit headquarters, Gleaners operates five distribution centers and provides food to 535 agencies throughout southeastern Michigan. Collecting 34.5 million pounds of food a year and distributing 79,000 meals a day Gleaners also educates 84,700 children about food and nutrition. Every dollar donated provides three meals and 94 cents of every donated dollar goes to food and food programs. Learn more at www.gcfb.org.
About the United Dairy Industry of Michigan
The United Dairy Industry of Michigan is the umbrella organization for the Dairy Council of Michigan and the American Dairy Association of Michigan. On behalf of Michigan’s dairy farm families, these non-profit organizations provide science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. For more information, visit www.MilkMeansMore.org.
Media Only: For more information or to schedule an interview contact C&B Scene at 248.336.8360 or scene@candbscene.com.