Title
November 18, 2013 Proclamation for Food Gatherer's 25th Anniversary
Memorandum
PROCLAMATION
Food Gatherers 25th Anniversary
November 21, 2013
WHEREAS, Food Gatherers was founded by Zingerman's Deli a few days before Thanksgiving in 1988, when volunteers collected 50 pounds of food from local grocery stores and restaurants. This food was quickly redistributed to hot meal programs in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti; and
WHEREAS, Food Gatherers exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community. It was the first program of its kind to be founded by a for-profit business, the first food rescue program in Michigan and among the first six in the United States; and
WHEREAS, with assistance from Zingerman's, Food Gatherers has grown into a strong local network of food donors, volunteers and supporters. Today, with the help of more than 5,000 volunteers, Food Gatherers distributes more than 5.5 million pounds of food annually to 150 non-profit partner programs. Each year, they serve more than 100,000 meals at Food Gatherers Community Kitchen, and they have graduated more than 130 at-risk youth through the Community Kitchen Job Training Program; and
WHEREAS, through a continued corporate partnership with Food Gatherers and through the direction of its Guiding Principles, Zingerman's continues to make substantial contributions in order to strengthen the health, social, educational and cultural fabric of this community; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, Food Gatherers celebrates it's founding by Zingerman's and 25 years of success in helping Washtenaw County's most vulnerable citizens. We thank Zingerman's founders Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman's Community of Businesses' partners and their employees, Food Gatherers' board of directors and current president Eileen Spring, who has led the organization for almost 20 years.
NOW THEREFORE, I, John Hieftje, Mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan, in recognition of their wonderful contributions to the community, do hereby proclaim a celebration of Zingerman's Community of Businesses, who, in founding Food Gatherers 25 years ago this month, has provided millions of meals to hungry people in Washtenaw County.
I hereby set my hand and seal
this 21st day of November, 2013.
____________________________
John Hieftje, Mayor