Fighting Hunger Together
Thank you for joining us for another year of fighting hunger where we live! As donors, volunteers, and compassionate neighbors, you are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors facing hunger. As you read the annual report, please take a moment to celebrate the power of our shared commitment to building a healthy and food-secure community.
This is a web version of Food Gatherers’ FY21 annual report. To view the print version of the newsletter, click here.
Thank you for driving this important work!
Watch: Year in Review
In fiscal year 2021, amid continuing public health and economic challenges, our network collectively distributed the equivalent of 7.5 million meals to more than 64,000 children, adults, seniors, and veterans living in our community. Watch the video below to learn more about our impact.
A Record-Breaking Year
In fiscal year 2021, Food Gatherers distributed more than 9 million pounds of food — the equivalent of 7.5 million meals!
Revenue and Expenses
When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, many pantries throughout the nation closed or vastly limited services. The majority of our partners here in Washtenaw County stayed open, adapted, and served more people than ever before!
Food Gatherers continued to scale up our operation in fiscal year 2021. We provided food, deliveries, trainings, and cash grants valued at more than $14 million to our network, and invested in additional staff, equipment, and food resources. Inflation and supply chain difficulties have increased the cost of our operations but Food Gatherers has continued to supply food at no — or very low — cost to our partner agencies.
To view all our annual financial reports, visit our website.
Welcoming New Partners
In fiscal year 2021, our hunger-relief network expanded to include:
- Berea City of Hope
- Creekside Court (Community Action Network)
- Cross Street Village
- FedUp Ministries
- Masjid At-Taqwa
- U-M Maize and Blue Cupboard, North Campus
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
- Whitmore Lake High School
- Ypsilanti Evangelical Friends Church
Program Highlights
Making a Difference
This helps my family so much. Especially when it comes to the fresh fruit and vegetables, which are so expensive. My family and I are extremely appreciative and thankful for this program.
– Pantry guest, Community Action Network
I have a student who lives with his 92-year-old grandmother and her social security check didn't come on time. He was able to get food and toiletries for the week because of your support.
– Ann Arbor High School Counselor, Healthy School Pantry Program
I was happy to learn that [the food pantry] doesn’t exist just for desperate situations. This will help decrease my regular grocery expenses and make room in my budget for my other needs.
– Pantry guest, EMU Swoop’s Food Pantry
Looking Forward
As we continue to meet new challenges, we encourage you to involve yourself with our mission and take action to fight hunger where we live. Give generously to provide our neighbors with the nutritious food they need to thrive. Reach out to anyone you know who may be in need and use our Find Food tool to help connect them to resources. Learn more about hunger and how you can advocate to address the root causes of hunger.
Everyone has a role in the fight against hunger and we hope you will find yours with Food Gatherers.