LANSING, MI – Last week, community members came together to raise money, donate food and volunteer to help Greater Lansing Food Bank in their mission to alleviate hunger one meal at a time by raising 1.2 million meals.
After a two-year hiatus, GLFB’s largest annual fund- and food-raising events returned just days apart. Greater Lansing Food Bank’s (GLFB) annual Empty Plate Event held on May 12 and the National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive followed just two days after, resulting in major food contributions to GLFB.
“As summer approaches, many children are home from school and away from free and reduced meals, making this a critical time for monetary and food donations,” said Michelle Lantz, CEO of Greater Lansing Food Bank, “These contributions will help sustain GLFB’s distribution efforts during the summertime when donations are typically low and the strain on families is significant.”
On May 12, GLFB welcomed back its 14th annual Empty Plate event at the Huntington Club, raising more than $390,000. During the event, GLFB presented the 6th Annual Founder’s Award to the Camille and Maryalice Abood Family for their extraordinary energy, support, leadership, heart and soul that has anchored Lansing for generations and buoyed the greater Lansing communities’ efforts to address food insecurity.
NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger returned Saturday, May 14. Post office employees and community volunteers collected more than 81,233 lbs of non-perishable food donations from area residents as part of the 30th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.