Ann Arbor — Ann arbor’s 107one, Kroger, and Food Gatherers successfully raised more than one million meals for hungry people in Washtenaw County during the Rockin’ for the Hungry food and fund drive. While 107one DJs were “freezin’ for a reason” during a five-day live broadcast at the Westgate Kroger, Food Gatherers received enough donations from community members to provide 1,467,940 meals for Washtenaw County residents who don’t have access to the quality or quantity of food needed to be healthy.
Demand at Food Gatherers and its network of hunger-relief programs has increased due to skyrocketing costs at grocery stores, and as residents struggle to afford food and other necessities like rent and medication. During Rockin’, the Washtenaw community came together to show that they care about helping their neighbors and that they can fight hunger in a big way.
Thousands of donors, including individuals, students, businesses, and non-profits came out to express their support as 107one DJs issued a call to action to the community and reported Rockin’ progress via a live broadcast. Generous donations from the Harold and Kay Peplau Family Fund, as well as other community sponsors, matched Rockin’ donations dollar for dollar. In an impressive show of determination, Community High School students raised more than $77,255, providing more than 231,000 meals to the community before being matched.
Donations came in the form of cash, checks, credit cards, more than 3,400 pounds of nonperishable groceries, and an online silent auction with music memorabilia provided by ann arbor’s 107one.
Volunteers stood outside the Maple Rd Kroger in Ann Arbor, braving the cold while engaging the community, collecting donations, and raising awareness about local food insecurity.
Many community parnters generously provided matching funds to sponsor Rockin’ Power Hours, including Bank of Ann Arbor, Bruce & Mona Auerbach, Cardamom, Destination Ann Arbor, DTE, John & Cindy Nixon, Old National Bank, Sachin Kheterpal & Ruchika Gupta, Thomson Reuters, and The Brummett, Edelman, and Giordano-Woodcock Families.
Washtenaw County Kroger stores were invaluable partners during Rockin’, collecting donations at registers and hosting the broadcast. The meals raised during Rockin’ for the Hungry 2022 will help sustain Food Gatherers’ hunger-fighting efforts and allow it to make critical investments in its hunger-relief network.
The 2022 Rockin’ broadcast was also the last for radio host Martin Bandkye, who is retiring from ann arbor’s 107one morning show after 40 years of broadcasting. On Friday December 2nd, Food Gatherers’ President and CEO, Eileen Spring, presented a special proclamation from Ann Arbor’s Mayor Christopher Taylor in honor of Martin’s career and philanthropy.
“We are truly grateful to ann arbor’s 107one, Kroger, and every donor and volunteer who came out to fight hunger where they live”, says President and CEO, Eileen Spring. “Food insecurity can only be solved by a community that cares and works together, and Washtenaw County proved that it does both.”
About Food Gatherers
Food Gatherers’ mission is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes in Washtenaw County. Last year, our food bank and food rescue program distributed 7.3 million pounds of food to more than 170 non-profit programs serving adults, seniors, and children. For a list of our partner programs or to learn how you can become involved in the fight against hunger locally, please visit www.foodgatherers.org or call 734-761-2796.
About ann arbor’s 107one
ann arbor’s 107one is Ann Arbor’s leading adult radio station. Home to the Martin Bandyke program in the morning, the station reaches 45,300 adults each week in the Washtenaw region and can be heard at 107.1 FM or on the web with streaming audio at www.annarbors107one.com.
The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Incorporated in Michigan in 1909 and headquartered in Novi, The Kroger Co. of Michigan operates 120 Kroger stores across 84 cities in Michigan. Kroger is dedicated to its purpose: to FEED the Human Spirit, by serving the region through food, inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.
