Independent Bank offices host statewide Michigan Harvest Gathering food drive
October 22, 2008
Independent Bank offices across the state will participate in a food drive to support the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The food drive, which will begin on Friday, October 31 and run through Friday, November 14, will collect much needed food items for people throughout the state of Michigan.
During the two-week food drive, customers and members of the public are invited to join Independent Bank associates in bringing non-perishable food items or monetary donations into any of Independent Bank’s 100 full-service banking offices. Because the Council operates on a regional level, all donations collected by Independent Bank will stay local and be distributed to individuals and families within the area.
“This generous help from Independent Bank comes at a good time,” said Jane Marshall, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. “We need all the help we can get to make sure we can meet the food needs of people in our state right now.”
The donated food items will help stock shelves at food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters served by the Council’s network of regional food banks. Monetary donations will help off-set transportation costs incurred when food items are moved from the food banks to local agencies. More information about the Food Bank Council of Michigan can be found at fbcmich.org or feedmichigan.org.
“Supporting the Food Bank Council of Michigan was a natural fit for the bank,” said Kelly Wolgamott, assistant vice president of HPC marketing for Independent Bank. “Because we have locations all across Michigan’s lower peninsula, we are able to help local families while making an impact on hunger across the state.”
Independent Bank has also partnered with the Michigan bean co-op, headquartered in Pigeon, Michigan, to provide an opportunity for individuals to purchase Michigan-grown navy and black beans during the food drive. Two two-pound bags of Cooperative Elevator Co. dried beans can be purchased at banking offices for $4 while supplies last. Purchasers can choose to keep both bags or to donate one to the food drive. Independent Bank will make a monetary donation to the Food Bank Council of Michigan for each bag of beans donated to the food drive.
“We excited about teaming up with Independent Bank to provide premium quality beans to the customers,” said Patricia Anderson, CEO of Cooperative Elevator Co. “At the same time, we are helping those in need by donating beans to many local area food pantries in Michigan. Together we can make a difference.”
Established in 1915, Cooperative Elevator Co. is owned by growers, many of whom are third and fourth generation farmers. For recipes and product availability, visit coopbeans.com.
