Ann Arbor — Food Gatherers, ann arbor’s 107one, and Kroger will join forces to raise 1 million meals to help alleviate hunger in Washtenaw County from November 29 to December 3.
Launching on Giving Tuesday, Food Gatherers staff, volunteers, and 107one radio personalities will be “freezin’ for a reason” during a five-day live radio broadcast outside the Kroger store at 400 S. Maple Rd.
Community members can join by tuning in to 107.1 FM from Tuesday, November 29th – Saturday, December 3rd, 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. to hear interviews with Food Gatherers staff, community leaders and partners, updates, and donor-sponsored Power Hours. This will be the first time since 2019 that Food Gatherers has hosted the event in person. In 2020 and 2021, the fundraiser was hosted virtually.
“We are so excited to once again host this event in person”, says Eileen Spring, President and CEO of Food Gatherers. “For the last two years, we have been battling a perfect storm of rising need and operational challenges caused by the pandemic. With the added public health risk, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel most in-person events for the last two years.”
The fundraiser returns at a critical time. This year, Food Gatherers has seen demand for food increase sharply due to the rising price of essentials like food, rent, and gas.
“With skyrocketing prices at the grocery store, our neighbors are forced to make difficult decisions between choosing to pay for food and other necessities like rent and medical care,” says Spring. “Donations made during Rockin’ will provide nutritious groceries and meals to anyone in need in our community, all year long.”
During Rockin’ for the Hungry, all gifts are matched 1:1 through the Harold & Kay Peplau Family Fund, Kroger, and Power Hour Sponsors. With the match, a financial gift of $5 can provide 30 meals to food-insecure children, adults, seniors, and veterans in our county.
During Rockin’ (November 29-December 3), there are many ways to give:
• Online: www.foodgatherers.org/rockin.
• By phone: 734-606-0753.
• By check: Mail or deliver a check made payable to Food Gatherers to our warehouse, Food Gatherers, 1 Carrot Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; please note Rockin’ for the Hungry in the memo line.
• In person: During Rockin’, Food Gatherers staff and volunteers will be collecting donations of nonperishable food and funds at the Kroger store at 400 S. Maple Road. Stop by between 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. to donate in person and show your support!
• At any Kroger: Drop off food or contribute at the register in any Kroger store in Washtenaw County.
• A silent auction featuring music memorabilia provided by ann arbor’s 107one will be available online during the event.
This year will also mark the final Rockin’ for the Hungry event for ann arbor’s 107one DJ, Martin Bandyke, who is retiring after a 40-year career as a radio broadcaster.
“We are so grateful to Martin for his dedication to fighting hunger in our community,” says Spring. “Martin has been a champion of anti-hunger efforts in Washtenaw County by hosting Rockin’ for the Hungry and Grillin’ for Food Gatherers on air, raising money and awareness while sharing his love for music with listeners. We are deeply appreciative of his many years of partnership.”
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.
