The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor just completed its 22nd annual Rotary Fights Child Hunger food and fund drive, supporting Food Gatherers, the largest sponsor of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in Washtenaw County. The SFSP is a critical source of food for children and teens in the summer, replacing the free and reduced-price meals they receive during the school year.

From March 9-20, local businesses and organizations were invited to collect funds and non-perishable food items. This year, Rotary Fights Child Hunger raised the equivalent of 104,256 meals, supported by $50,490 in donated funds (including a $15,000 matching grant from Todd and Margaret Kephart) and 3,900 pounds of food donations.

Food Gatherers will use the resources from the drive to distribute nutritious food through their network of 140 partner programs, including food pantries, meal programs, and other emergency grocery services that help people facing food insecurity in Washtenaw County.

“Efforts like Rotary Fights Child Hunger are crucial right now,” Food Gatherers President and CEO Eileen Spring said. “Food Gatherers is purchasing twice the amount of food that we were last year to offset federal cuts and meet the heightened need for food in our community.”

Congratulations and thanks are due to Rotary Fights Child Hunger Committee chair Todd Kephart, in his 15th year leading this charge, and his well-oiled Committee consisting of Norm Herbert, Steve Kessler, Tom Millard, and Greg Stejskal.