Food insecurity and hunger is more pervasive in Washtenaw County than you might think. In this week’s "Washtenaw United," WEMU’s David Fair finds out what is being done, in both the short and long term, to eradicate the problem. In this conversation, Food Gatherers president and CEO Eileen Spring and United Way of Washtenaw County president and CEO, Pam Smith, discuss the progress made and the work still to be done.
WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to explore the people, organizations, and institutions creating opportunity and equity in our area. And, as part of this ongoing series, you’ll also hear from the people benefiting and growing from the investments being made in the areas of our community where there are gaps in available services. It is a community voice. It is 'Washtenaw United.'
Partnership between UWWC and Food Gatherers
- Details on The 27th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive is on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
- United Way supports these efforts by helping to fund the bags people receive in their mailboxes.
- Food Gatherers says mailing the bags has dramatically increased participation in the food drive.
- United Way is proud to fund the work Food Gatherers does in the community and, in the past 10 years, has given Food Gatherers more than 1 million in support.
Eileen Spring has been Food Gatherers President and CEO since 1994. Ms. Spring has led three capital campaigns and stewarded a community-wide Food Security Plan that dramatically improved the amount of fresh produce and protein available to individuals struggling with food insecurity. She is a founding member of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and is active on the board of the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the local FEMA board.
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— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU. You can contact David at 734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him at dfair@emich.edu
