Food First

January 16, 2022 - Food for Thought

January 16, 2022 - Monologue

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday at 9 PM to hear from Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Rob Fowler, CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). Rob has served as president and CEO of SBAM for over 20 years and has been an exceptional leader during his tenure. SBAM has grown significantly in size and influence as stands in the gap for small business owners and families across the state. Rob has announced his retirement beginning in the New Year, with Brian Calley becoming SBAM’s new president and CEO.

Phil, Gerry, and Rob discuss the “Fowlerisms” from Rob throughout the years on Food First Michigan. One of Rob’s most profound “Fowlerisms” being, ‘the fastest way out of poverty is entrepreneurship – the sheerest way out is education.’ Many of us see “Help Wanted” signs in storefronts as of late, and it’s a GOOD thing! Prior to the pandemic, people many were working 2-3 jobs making $10-$12/hour, but are now working less jobs and making $15-$17/hour. Rob is changemaker – him and his team worked tirelessly to increase the minimum wage for our fellow Michiganders. Although Rob is retiring from SBAM, there is no doubt that he will continue to use his one handful of life to better those around him.

Who Wins When We Win? This is a saying you have heard often on Food First Michigan. We’ve outlined how education, healthcare, and our communities all win. And, how businesses win when food insecurity is no longer an issue. Healthier and happier people being de-stressed about the basic needs, enables them to be more and highly productive members of a team. Taking hunger off of the table for employees means greater profits for companies, big or small.

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio.

Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

#FOODFIRST

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

January 2, 2022 - Food for Thought

January 2, 2022 - Monologue

“Art is an irreplaceable way of understanding and expressing the world.” Dana Gioia

Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday on WJR Radio at 9 PM to hear from Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of the Gleaners Community Food Bank and two unique and inspiring leaders: Desiree Kelly, an award-winning artist and native of Detroit; and Pamela Taylor, SVP and chief communications & marketing officer at Share our Strength. The episode focuses on the work Desiree and Pamela have done to help people see and understand hunger through the eyes of a child.

Desiree’s work is immersive. It reflects on the narrative of her subjects by including artifacts & phrases from the subject within each piece. Her murals are powerful and multifaceted – view some of her work here  https://www.nokidhungry.org/rebuild Children are HOPEFUL creatures. Desiree’s art is expressive and she captures many ideas and feelings in each piece.

Pamela was the person who had the idea of using art to communicate the realities associated with being food insecure. It takes more than food to fight hunger – it takes innovation, creativity, and addressing the needs at all angles. Share our Strength set out on their journey to create murals across the country: Detroit, Atlanta, Washington D.C., just outside of Los Angeles – Rialto, and New York. The artists’ imagery capture and tell their story about the hope of rising out of the pandemic and the hope of ending childhood hunger.

Art is the desire of mankind to express themselves. To record their reactions of their personality to the world they live in. Hunger is a reality in America – it is a problem that we as a nation, have never decided to solve completely. Phil and Gerry continue to use their voices to define the reality of hunger in Michigan, but work even more diligently to create positive solutions that will FINALLY take hunger off the table in our state. It starts by putting and keeping #FOODFIRST!

To learn more about Desiree’s work, visit - https://www.desireekellyart.com/ and https://www.nokidhungry.org/rebuild

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio

Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

#FOODFIRST

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

December 19, 2021 - Food for Thought

December 19, 2021 - Monologue

“Traditions touch us, they connect us, and they expand us.” Rita Barreto Craig

Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday at 9 PM on WJR Radio to hear Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank celebrate the Food Bank Council of Michigan’s stand-in-the-gap champions, also known as Hunger Heroes, on their annual holiday show! Our Hunger Heroes prove their efforts impact our network and the families we serve.

Our 7 Feeding America food banks that serve all 83 counties in Michigan know that it would be impossible without the help of individuals who choose to invest their one handful of life with us. They are a Beacon of Light, if you will. A large sector in our annual Michigan Harvest Gathering is the celebration of a Beacon of Light that is chosen by each regional food bank as well as Hunger-Free Michigan awardees. These people hold the promise of HOPE.

As we continue to move forward in the seemingly never-ending public health crisis, the steadfast commitment of our Hunger Heroes is impactful. Join us to learn about 3 amazing volunteers: Kurt Damrow, a former Air Force Veteran and State Representative; Joshua Gillespie II, director of Larry Mitchel Trice Sr. [LMTS] Community Outreach Services; and Scott Avery, a faithful volunteer at the South Michigan Food Bank. Plus, hear about two tremendous organizations in the food service industry Milk Means More and Doug Busch, owner of Busch’s Grocery. We also discuss the outstanding work of the Weingartz Family who is committed GCFB’s board and fundraising. Dr. Knight will also introduce the 2021 Hunger-Free Michigan award recipients: Dr. Delicia Pruitt, Medical Director of the Saginaw County Public Health Department and Lew Roubal, Chief Deputy Director for Opportunity for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. We know that hunger is SOLVEABLE because of people like them!

Celebrate what you want, and in our case, what you need. Let us celebrate the people who choose to invest their life in those who have less. Not everything that comes to us is for us. Let’s do our best to be thankful, to be merry, and as the new year arrives, let’s be ready to put and keep #FOODFIRST!

As you head into the holiday season, please remember your local food bank and visit FeedMichigan.org.

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio.

Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

#FOODFIRST

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

December 26, 2021 - Food for Thought