DECEMBER 30, 2008

Local communities benefit from Harvest Gathering

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that Department of State employees and customers donated more than 22,000 pounds of food and nearly $3,000 to this year's Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign.

"It's wonderful to see how generous people have been in giving to Harvest Gathering," Land said. "Michigan food banks report increases of up to 40 percent in appeals for help this year. Department of State employees and customers have responded by opening their hearts, pantries and wallets."

Harvest Gathering collection boxes were placed in Secretary of State offices and state office buildings. With most branch offices reporting to date, the Sparta and Grand Rapids N.E. branches rank first and second, respectively, contributing a total of nearly 11,000 pounds of food.

Harvest Gathering provides both public and private sectors with opportunities to donate. This year, more than $651,000 and 207,000 pounds of food were collected during the statewide campaign. These totals exclude the Department of State, which extended its campaign through Dec. 12. For information about Harvest Gathering, visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan Web site at www.fbcmich.org.

Harvest Gathering is an annual event designed to support the state's nine regional food banks through food and monetary donations. The food banks in turn support food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens. The Department of State has been collecting food for Harvest Gathering in its branch offices since 1999.

###