Causes: Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Food, Food Banks & Pantries, Food Programs

Mission: Food Gatherer''s mission is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in the Washtenaw County community by: reducing food waste through the rescue and distribution of perishable and non-perishable food, coordinating with other hunger relief providers, educating the public about hunger and developing new food resources.

Results: Founded in 1988, Food Gatherers was the first food rescue program in Michigan and among the first six in the United States. In the first full year of operation, with only one staff person, a borrowed vehicle and a shared attic space, Food Gatherers distributed 63,000 pounds of perishable food to a dozen community agencies. By 1990, food distribution had doubled. In 1996, Food Gatherers assumed the operations of the county food bank, which was connected to a state and national system of food procurement. Food Gatherers quickly evolved from a supplemental to a primary provider of food to local human service agencies throughout Washtenaw County. More than 60 million pounds of wholesome food has been rescued and redistributed to agencies on the front-line of hunger relief.

Target demographics: Non-profit programs serving low-income adults, families, seniors and children in Washtenaw County.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 170 non-profit programs including hot meal programs, emergency food pantries, shelters, residential programs and summer food programs.

Geographic areas served: Washtenaw County

Programs: Community Kitchen, providing meals to anyone in need 364 days a year and the Summer Food Service Program, providing summer meals for children who rely on free and reduced price meals during the school year.