Gleaners Served 160,099 Households During First Half of 2024

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June 2, 2024 ~ Food insecurity continues to be a major problem in our community made worse recently by high food prices. Gleaners Community Food Bank is on the front line of the battle against hunger. Kristen Sokul, Gleaners spokesperson, explains how Gleaners’ partners, including soup kitchens and agencies, served 160,099 households during the first half of its 2024 fiscal year, a 21% spike compared with 132,563 households last fiscal year. The agency also announced the launch of Fresh! by Gleaners, a $4.8 million project expected to open early next year. Fresh! by Gleaners expects to offer dairy, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegetables in a facility modeled after a store so people can choose what they need and want.

For those with special intellectual needs, finding a loving, nurturing place to follow their dreams is rare. Ann Rosario, the workforce development officer for Dutton Farm, says the facility started after a mother and daughter team had a vision to provide a place for their daughter and sister Rebecca Smither to continue to thrive after turning 27. Adults with developmental disabilities experience a 68% unemployment rate, affecting 5.6% of people aged 21-64 in the state of Michigan. At Dutton Farm, individuals can express how they would like to contribute to the community, either through education, art, employment, or volunteering.