Rockin’ Raises 49,083 emergency food boxes for the hungry in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor – Ann arbor’s 107one, Kroger, and Food Gatherers successfully raised more than 49,000 emergency food boxes for Washtenaw County during the Rockin’ for the Hungry fund drive.

During the 5-day virtual fund drive, Food Gatherers received enough donations from community members to help provide 49,083 emergency food boxes for food-insecure residents in Washtenaw County.

“During Rockin’ for the Hungry: COVID-19 edition, we wanted to adjust our goal to reflect the needs of our community amid the pandemic,” said Eileen Spring, President and CEO of Food Gatherers. “The emergency food boxes will be distributed by our partner pantries throughout Washtenaw County and each box provides a week’s worth of meals for one person.”

Since March, Food Gatherers’ network of partner agencies have experienced a 30%-300% increase in visitors, about 40% of whom had never visited a pantry before. Feeding America, the national network of food banks, projects that by the end of 2020 the number of individuals facing food insecurity in Washtenaw County could rise by more than 37% overall, and for children specifically, the food insecurity rate could rise by 101%. 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 stepped up to express their support as 107one DJs issued a call to action to the community and reported Rockin’ progress via a live broadcast and interviews posted on the radio’s Facebook live page. Generous donations from the Harold and Kay Peplau Family Fund and the estate of Irene Fast, 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 $82,000 – their largest-ever gift to Rockin’ – which was then matched 1:1!

Food Gatherers is truly grateful for every donor who took action to fight hunger where they live. Food insecurity can only be solved by a community that cares and works together, and Washtenaw County proved that it does both.

Food Gatherers

Food Gatherers’ mission is to alleviate hunger in Washtenaw County. The food bank and food rescue program serving Washtenaw County, we distribute more than 7.8 million pounds of food annually to 170 non-profit programs serving low-income 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.

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 122 Kroger stores, 75 fuel centers, 104 pharmacies and the Michigan Dairy. Michigan Kroger’s 19,000 associates are dedicated to the Kroger Purpose: to FEED the Human Spirit, by serving the region through food, inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.