food

Food insecurity is growing in Washtenaw County, and your local postal worker is doing something about it. On Saturday, May 13th, letter carriers in our community will participate in "National Stamp Out Hunger Day." When delivering your mail, postal workers will pick up the non-perishable food items you leave out and turn it all over to Food Gatherers for distribution. John Odegard is president of Local Branch 434 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the program and why letter carriers are working to make a different kind of difference for the people they serve.

The Growing Hope Urban Farm in Ypsilanti turns 20 next month. And as part of its 20th year, it's making some changes. It's growing hands-on workshops, like mushroom foraging and beekeeping and expanding its reach, so people in the community can invest in portions of the produce fields. And it's fine-tuning its farmer's market with additional focus on the online market. Growing Hope's new executive director, Julius Buzzard, talks all about Growing Hope's 20th year celebration activities with WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale.

Food prices are kicking a lot of people right where it hurts…the wallet. Supply issues during the pandemic and inflation are sending prices soaring. As a result, more people are beginning, or returning to, home gardens. Stacy Mates is seed company manager for the Green Things Farm Collective in Ann Arbor. She shares her expertise in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Michigan Medicine is continuing its efforts to address critical staffing issues across the organization. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson has more.

Thanksgiving meals are being offered Thursday across Washtenaw County for those who are alone or in need of a warm meal. And the latest data shows the numbers in need may be growing this year. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has the details.

Officials at the Hope Clinic say they’re seeing an increase in families seeking assistance this year for Thanksgiving. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson has more.

Michigan and Ohio State. The rivals will battle this Saturday to see who can win the year’s biggest college football game. But as WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports, the rivalry has extended to which school can help the most people in need.

Tuesday was the start of firearm season for deer hunters across Michigan. But, as WEMU’s Josh Hakala learned, for those who have unwanted deer meat, there’s an easy way to give it to people in need.

Thanksgiving is next week, but that isn’t stopping Eastern Michigan University from getting an early start on things. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson has more.

A Washtenaw County food bank is getting a significant boost in funding. We get the details from WEMU’s Taylor Pinson.