Food First

'Be quick, but not in a hurry.' -John Wooden

There are no clear winners or losers in an infinite game. Solving hunger is an infinite game - one that has really just begun. Many of the struggles that we face exist simply in our mission because we are playing with a finite mindset in an infinite game.

The Food Bank Council of Michigan and the food bank network have a clear mind and 2020 vision. Hear what's in store. Hang tight!

Let's work smarter, not harder!

'History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children.' -Nelson Mandela

Paula Herbart, president of Michigan Education Association and Co-Chair of Launch Michigan. Launch Michigan's objective is to create a compelling plan and path forward for Michigan education that it would transcend any leadership change at the highest level of state government. Small dreams inspire no one and this certainly isn't small.

Paula, Phil, and Gerry discuss the broken funding models, accountability and the need for problem-solvers, not problem-spotters.

Their conversations aren't always easy, but Launch Michigan firmly believes it is possible to make meaningful and lasting change for our students and for our own future. Fair isn't equal and ALL students have different needs --> funding is one of the ways that every child can be provided with the tools for success.

"Our aim is not only to relieve the symptom of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it." - Lyndon Johnson

In 1964, Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty and sadly, we are still fighting it today, but there is so much more connected to poverty.

Hear from Barb Petee, Executive Director of The Root Cause Coalition as well as the Chief Advocacy and Government Relations Office of ProMedica. Phil and Gerry also introduce an astounding new FBCM team member, Dr. Dawn Shoultz Opel as the Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives.

The Root Cause Coalition is dedicated to bringing the full power of healthcare to bear in our collective fight against health inequity. The Coalition recognizes that no one sector can address the full breadth of the social determinants ravaging the health of our people. We must work together.

Barb is guiding the conversation in the right direction nationally while Dawn is working tirelessly at the local level to take us to the cusp of opportunity to address food insecurity as a root cause rather than a symptom of poverty.

Be sure to get caught up on the innovative and inspiring conversation at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/ or on Newstalk 760 AM WJR Radio. You can also join the movement for a Food Secure Michigan by filling out our simple form at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/join-the-movement/.

#FoodSecurity #MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

Having an impact by Phil Knight

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." - Calvin Coolidge

Listen in as we are celebrating our champions of the movement that have come alongside us in unprecedented ways. Tune in to hear from Brian Peters, CEO of Michigan Health & Hospital Association. MHA is our Title Sponsor for our Michigan Harvest Gathering and helped collect 3.5 million pounds of food as well as $3 million over the years - we are beyond thankful for their continued partnership in creating a food secure state!

Be sure to get caught up on the innovative and inspiring conversation at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/ or on Newstalk 760 AM WJR Radio. You can also join the movement for a Food Secure Michigan by filling out our simple form at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/join-the-movement/.

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke

Meeting the Need for our Village Hunger Project is a project that Addy Battel and Pearl Daskum started when they were 12 years old. I know I wasn't doing anything this empowering at 12 years old.

These young women value their community and wanted to take the path to make a difference and they have done just that. Since its inception, they have made a $60,000 impact on their community - donating 10,000 lbs of meat, 2,800 gallons of milk, 300 lb of cheese, 300 lbs of produce and 300 dozen eggs.

Their goal has always been to provide high quality protein to low-income members of their community and the communities surrounding them, while and through empowering other youth hunger fighters.

Everything rises and falls on leadership - not some things, not most things - everything.

Tune in tonight at 9 pm to hear from Michelle Lantz, the new CEO of Greater Lansing Food Bank. To say that Michelle hit the ground running is an understatement - within her first 100 days, she has lead through crisis associated with the UAW strike; hosted Governor Whitmer in the food bank; and closed on property that will usher in a new era for the Greater Lansing Food Bank!

Because Michelle grew up on a farm and worked tirelessly in the fields, creating food security is near and dear to her heart. Farming provided her with a strong sense of community and a passion for taking care of others.

Our MI food bank network is not perfect, but we are the best at what we do and committed to walking with the people we serve with high hopes that one day they won't need us anymore.

"Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning."

- Thomas Edison

Tune in tonight at 9 pm to hear from Lesli Hoey an associate professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan. Lesli is helping us think better and different while investing in her one handful of life in the mission of establishing equity through urban planning. If urban planners aren't aware of how food insecurity affects their community, it's going to undermine their efforts to make sure everyone has adequate access to basic needs.

To learn more about Urban Planning --> https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/urbanplanning

"Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more."

- H. Jackson Brown Jr.

The giving season is upon us as well as the annual Michigan Harvest Gathering, which brings people together from everywhere to raise food and funds for our hungry neighbors across the state --> https://www.fbcmich.org/resources/michigan-harvest-gathering/

Listen in to hear from two policy insiders - State Representative Angela Witwer and Stephanie Johnson, Managing Partner of Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore. Representative Witwer and Stephanie delve into the budget as well as the Tax Credit House Bills 4992 and 4993. These bills are striving to provide tax credits for charitable donations to food banks and homeless shelters - PLEASE do your due diligence and reach out to your legislator to show your support for these two bills.

Be sure to get caught up on the innovative and inspiring conversation at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/ or on Newstalk 760 AM WJR Radio. You can also join the movement for a Food Secure Michigan by filling out our simple form at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/join-the-movement/.

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life."

- Arthur Ashe

As the holiday season approaches, please remember that if you don't have the treasure - you may have the time and talent and that is just as important. Tune in at 9 pm tonight to hear from two gentlemen who are using their treasure to help create a food secure state.

Tom Celani and Bill Schuette. Tom is a community philanthropist, dedicated to addressing the needs of youth and fighting hunger. Tom and his wife Vicki created 'Hunger Free in the D' through the Celani Family Foundation - the event directly benefits Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

Bill and Cynthia Schuette are the founders of the Michigan Harvest Gathering - the food and funds campaign that helps our hungry neighbors. As we enter our 29th year of MHG, Bill and Cynthia have created the opportunity to elevate the issue and challenge of food insecurity from our kids to our senior citizens and all of the working families in between.