Shoppers' Dollars Add Up to Buy Food for Homeless and Hungry
Shoppers at Spartan stores all around Michigan have been scanning extra dollars onto their food bills this winter. Shoppers at Glen's Market in Traverse City had the option to give one dollar to the Father Fred Foundation during the six week Scan Away Hunger campaign. Representatives from Glen's Market and Spartan stores were able to present $5,680 in shopper donations to the Father Fred foundation today.
The money will purchase food, mainly perishable items like milk, vegetables, and meat, for homeless and hungry families in the community. Father Iakovos, the Spiritual Advisor for the Father Fred Foundation, says "With this money we can help the influx of clients we've seen over the past several months as a result of the faltering economy. We hope we can serve more clients better. That's what's most important right now." About 10 percent of the food distributed by Father Fred is purchased. The rest consists of donations and is made up mostly of non-perishable items.
The Scan Away Hunger program may be over, but the staff at Glen's will be offering opportunites for shoppers to donate to other charities and organizations, including the Special Olympics, throughout the year.
