Gleaners Community Food Bank and Kroger are teaming up to fight hunger in Southeast Michigan this January, according to a news release.
The partnership, now in its 13th year, invites Kroger customers to donate non-perishable food items during Gleaners’ Food Collection Weekends. The initiative is part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan, which aims to end hunger in local communities and eliminate waste across the company.
Every weekend until the end of January, Kroger shoppers will be greeted by Gleaners volunteers, who will provide donation lists of needed nutritious foods and personal items. The volunteers will collect customer donations on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Customers are asked to donate items in boxes, cans or plastic containers to prevent breakage during transport.
The food collection events are scheduled at select Kroger stores in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, Monroe and Livingston counties. The upcoming collection events will take place on Jan. 25 and 26 in Livingston and Monroe counties.
In Monroe, donations can be made at the Kroger stores at 850 S. Monroe St. and 3833 N. Dixie Highway.
Gleaners is requesting donations of canned meats and fish, canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soups, dried whole grain pasta and rice, baby foods and formula, cereal, oatmeal and granola bars, peanut butter and jelly (in plastic jars), pancake and baking mixes, nutritional supplement drinks, toothpaste and toothbrushes, diapers, soap, shampoo and other personal care items, including disposable razors.
The initiative aims to support families and residents facing food insecurity in the state. According to Cam Barrett, corporate affairs manager of The Kroger Co. of Michigan, the partnership with Gleaners is one of the many ways Kroger can help fight hunger in local communities.
“Every year, families and residents alike are facing food insecurity in our state,” Barrett said. “Our continued effort with Gleaners is one of the many ways we can help. Each year, our Kroger customers come together in a powerful way to help fight back against hunger in our communities. We’re excited to make an impact again this year.”
Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, expressed pride in the longstanding partnership with Kroger.
“Our Food Collection Weekends at Kroger help fill a gap for our partner agencies, who, following the holiday season, may struggle to keep essential food items on their shelves,” Brisson said. “Complex challenges take collaborative solutions, and this is a great example of how we can take hunger off the table by working together, so families can thrive.”
Last year, the five counties collected more than 205,000 pounds – or 102 tons – of food for neighbors facing hunger through the Food Collection Weekends.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
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This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Gleaners, Kroger teaming up to fight hunger in Michigan
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