April 22, 2020
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has recognized several Michigan food and agriculture businesses for their donations to the Food Bank Council of Michigan and other non-profits as part of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative launched earlier this month. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has partnered with the Governor’s Office and the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) to seek donations of food and funds as part of the initiative.
“As we face unparalleled challenges, the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative allows the state to accept monetary donations and donations of food or other needed supplies to support critical services during response and recovery efforts,” said Whitmer. “These donations from Michigan food and agriculture businesses will make a huge difference to families affected by COVID-19 and will shore up our food bank system at a time when it’s really needed.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are facing economic hardship and food insecurity, and are turning to food banks for assistance. Through its network of regional food banks and distribution centers, FBCM provides food to more than 3,000 local food banks, soup kitchens and food pantries across the state.
Food banks are currently operating at four times their normal capacity and are experiencing significant trouble securing food to meet demand. Although the federal stimulus package will provide future relief, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has told FBCM they will not receive food through the federal program until July, well beyond the expected food gap food banks are facing right now.
“Michigan’s food and agriculture industry has stepped up many times to help those in need through donations of food and funds, and although times are tough for the industry right now, our friends in the food and ag sector have once again heeded the call for help,” said Gary McDowell, MDARD director. “Food donations are desperately needed to meet historically high demand at a time when food supplies are dangerously low, and collectively, we can make a huge difference.”
The following food and agriculture businesses have made donations of food and funds to the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative to support food banks in our state:
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the following companies have made donations of food and funds directly to food banks in our state:
Donations of goods made to the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative are eligible for a federal tax deduction and may help leverage a 3-times match from federal resources, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If transportation assistance is needed for donations, the state has secured trucks and can assist in donation pick-up and delivery.
Food and agriculture businesses who would like to arrange for a donation should contact MDARD at MDARD-COVID19@michigan.gov. For other businesses and individuals interested in donating to the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative, a secure online donation with the Michigan Department of Treasury can be made by visiting www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19 and clicking on “donations.” Donations of any size can be made by credit or debit card.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.