Southeast Michigan Children Will Enjoy A Hunger Free Summer in 2011 Thanks to Charter One & Other Generous Supporters
Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank of SE Michigan, together with Charter One Foundation and other corporate and community donors announce the Hunger Free Summer campaign to ensure children receive meals during the summer months.

DETROIT, MI, June 30, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners) together with Charter One Foundation and other corporate and community donors announced their plan to provide 2 million meals to hungry southeast Michigan children this summer through their Hunger Free Summer campaign. The campaign has raised over $15,000 toward the goal of $250,000, since Friday's (6/24/11) campaign launch.

Michigan Charter One President Sandy Pierce announced the initiative stating, "When children are hungry, it is difficult for them to learn, grow and thrive. No child should go hungry and we're honored to underwrite the Hunger Free Summer campaign that will provide 2 million more meals for children this summer."

Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Enterprise Rent-A-Car pledged their corporate support while Michigan Group Vice President and General Manager, Chris Gould, demonstrated his commitment to the campaign presenting a generous personal donation. "We are proud to be a supporter of the Hunger Free Summer Campaign," said Gould. "We realize we owe our success to the support and goodwill of the people who live in the communities where we do business. We are committed to assisting Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest in eliminating hunger in Michigan and understand the importance of giving back through monetary donations, volunteerism and food drives."

Pierce greeted children from across southeast Michigan, including more than 100 children from Landmark Church in Hazel Park, the Redford YWCA, Raupp School in Lincoln Park and Cairns Community Center of Mt. Clemens, participants in the agencies' summer feeding programs.

Donations made during the ten-week Hunger Free Summer campaign, (through September 1) will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Charter One Foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hiller's and The Young Foundation. Representatives from the organizations said the following about their support for the campaign:

"Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to helping ease the painful reality of hunger in our local communities," said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. "Whether it's with our mobile food pantries, volunteer efforts or hunger relief programs, such as Hunger Free Summer, Ford and our employees know that feeding people is an important step toward creating a better world."

"We have had a long-standing relationship with Gleaners and this Hunger Free Summer program exemplifies the Hiller's commitment to supporting our community," said Justin Hiller, Hiller's vice president. "We are always looking for ways to give back and support organizations making a difference in the community."

Additionally, Hiller's and Hollywood Market(s) shoppers can add a Hunger Free Summer donation to their bill at checkout registers.

Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest will provide children with food through their Summer Lunch, BackPack, Daily Bread and mobile pantry programs. Every $1 donation provides eight nutritious lunches for hungry children in southeastern Michigan.

Now through September 1, donations can be made:

• Online at www.HungerFreeSummer.org
• Calling 888-332-7140
• Text "HFS" TO 85944 (a $10 donation will be automatically added to donor's cell phone bill -message and data rates may apply.)
• Checks by Mail: Hunger Free Summer, P.O. Box 1380, Troy, MI 48099
• Adding a donation of $1, $3, $5 or more at all Hiller's and Hollywood Market(s) checkout registers

The public can support and follow the campaign at HungerFreeSummer on Twitter and Facebook.

More than 300,000 children in southeast Michigan receive free or reduced-fee meals during the school year but during the summer months, they often go without.

Press Release Contact Information:

Marcy Hayes
C&B Scene
Owner
22750 Woodward Ave.
Ferndale, MI
United States 48220
Voice: 248.336.8360