Each year, more than one million people in Michigan need to use the services offered by a food bank.  Fortunately, through the Michigan Harvest Gathering 2008 State Employees' Campaign, we have the opportunity to address that great need.
 
This fall marks the 18th year of the Michigan Harvest Gathering, an annual food and fund drive in which state employees have been a major partner.  This year's state employees' campaign begins October 13 and runs through October 24. 
 
Boxes for collecting non-perishable food items and pledge cards for tax-deductible monetary donations will be available in your workplace.  Representatives within each agency have planned fun and creative activities to help increase donations.  This year, we hope to surpass last year's generous state employee donations of $38,210 and 59,399 pounds of food.

The food and funds collected through the Michigan Harvest Gathering benefit the Food Bank Council of Michigan's member food banks and more than 2,500 community agencies throughout Michigan.  All food donations go to local food banks and all funds are directly used to purchase and transport food items.

The face of hunger in Michigan includes working families who must choose between making the mortgage payment  and heating their homes or buying food.  It includes children growing and developing without adequate nutrition, seniors choosing between using their money for medicine or food, individuals and families facing health issues or emergencies, and those struggling to just make ends meet. 

While we continue to strive for a hunger-free Michigan, there is still much work to be done.  I hope you will consider participating in food and fundraising activities in your department and support this cause to eliminate hunger in our state. 

Together we can make a difference!

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor