DETROIT – In conjunction with 313 Presents, the University of Michigan basketball team will play Oakland University in downtown Detroit on Sunday (Oct. 20) at Little Caesars Arena benefitting Forgotten Harvest. The charity exhibition is scheduled for a 5 p.m. tipoff and will be available on the BTN-Plus.
Forgotten Harvest is a non-profit food insecurity organization whose vision is to work with communities to end hunger and create individual, neighborhood, economic, and environmental health. Food insecurity is one’s inability to obtain sufficient food for their household’s needs. Metro Detroit’s largest food rescue operation, Forgotten Harvest rescues surplus food produced, or ordered, in amounts greater than what can be sold from over 560 food donors and delivers it for free to over 220 community agency partners. Last fiscal year (2022-23) Forgotten Harvest distributed over 40 million pounds of food, or 33 million meals.
The exhibition marks the debut of U-M’s new head coach Dusty May.
“Creating unique experiences for our players and fans is something we strive to do,” said May. “This exhibition creates a great match-up for two great in-state programs and helps the Detroit community as we’ve partnered with Forgotten Harvest. We want to make sure we draw the attention needed to their cause and help their goal of providing everyone a meal, every day.”
Greg Kampe begins his 41st campaign with the Golden Grizzlies.
“We’re really excited for this exhibition game and for Oakland to be Dusty’s first opponent as Michigan’s head coach,” said Kampe. “Our team is looking forward to it, but more importantly, we’re honored to contribute to the fight against hunger in our community and we’re proud to support an organization like Forgotten Harvest that does so much for those in need.”
Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest, said:”Forgotten Harvest is so proud to be the benefactor of this exhibition, these two great universities, coaches and teams coming together to bring awareness to the ongoing hunger problem here in our community is really an inspiration for all of us to get involved today and make a difference in the lives of a neighbor in need”
Howard Handler, President of 313 Presents, added:”I am excited to partner with Forgotten Harvest to host two great institutions, the University of Michigan and Oakland University, at Little Caesars Arena. Forgotten Harvest works tirelessly to relieve hunger and prevent food waste, and I couldn’t be happier to see these two schools come together to help support the dedicated metro Detroit-based organization and their community. We look forward to providing an exceptional game-night experience for the student-athletes, coaches, and fans.”
Michigan has had nine regular season match-ups with Oakland, including the last in 2020 at Crisler Center. The charity exhibition marks the third time the Wolverines and Golden Grizzlies will have played at the home of the Detroit Pistons — Little Caesars Arena (2024) and the Palace of Auburn Hills (2008 and 2011).
U-M makes its third appearance playing in Little Caesars Arena. U-M faced Detroit Mercy (W, 90-58) in the first collegiate basketball game (Dec. 16, 2017) in the new downtown arena. The Maize and Blue then hosted Eastern Michigan in a Battle of Washtenaw Country on Nov. 11, 2022 — a thrilling 88-83 victory over the Eagles.
Oakland has made six trips to Little Caesars Arena, playing Michigan State on three occasions (2017, 2019 and 2021) in mid-December, while adding three games in the Horizon League Tournament (2018 and 2019). The Golden Grizzlies are 1-5 in downtown contests.
Tickets go on sale Friday, August 23 at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com, Ticketmaster.com and the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling the Group Sales Department at (313) 471-3099.
About Forgotten Harvest
Oak Park, Michigan-based Forgotten Harvest was formed in 1990 to fight food insecurity and hunger by rescuing surplus nutritious food. Forgotten Harvest rescues and distributes an average of 40 million pounds annually by collecting excess prepared and perishable food from over 560 locations, including grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors and other Health Department-approved sources. This donated food, which would otherwise be lost, is delivered free of charge to over 220 emergency food providers in the Metro Detroit area. Learn more about Forgotten Harvest and how to help drive hunger from our community at www.forgotten harvest.org
About 313 Presents
313 Presents is Detroit’s premier live entertainment company. Inspired by the soul of Detroit, 313 Presents promotes and produces concerts, theatrical productions, sporting events and family shows at six world-class venues across southeast Michigan including Little Caesars Arena, the historic Fox Theatre featuring Proud Partner Comerica Bank, Comerica Park, Pine Knob Music Theatre Presented by Proud Partners United Wholesale Mortgage, Trinity Health and Ally, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre Presented by Proud Partner Oakland University Credit Union and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre. Headquartered in The District Detroit, 313 Presents is a joint venture between Ilitch Sports + Entertainment and Pistons Sports & Entertainment. For additional information, visit 313Presents.com
