The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan was established in 1981 as a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. The Food Bank distributes food to more than 400 partner agencies in 22 counties, delivering 20.5 million pounds of food in 2011. An estimated 30,800 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other agency served by the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

Kathleen Payton spoke to the club about the Backpack program which is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. Each weekend a backpack containing two breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks are sent home with children in need. The child then brings the backpack back to school the next week to receive their next meals. The food is child friendly, non perishable, easily consumed and nutritious. Participating schools must select someone to coordinate the program and select participating students based on indicators of hunger. The Food Bank currently provides 2,076 weekend backpacks to children in their service area.

For more information, donate, or to participate contact Kathleen Payton at 810-239-4441 or kpayton@feedingamerica.org