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WASHTENAW COUNTY: Food Gatherers honors its volunteers

By Lori Maranville, Special Writer

Food Gatherer founder Paul Saginaw says everyone has a role to play in the fight against hunger, and last week the organization got to celebrate some of those who are already doing their part.

During a reception April 27 at the Ann Arbor facility, the nonprofit group formally recognized some significant "gatherer volunteers" who have enthusiastically answered the call to stamp out hunger.

"We just wanted to thank regular people in the community that support Food Gatherers in a big way," said Saginaw, founder of Food Gatherers and Zingerman's Community of Businesses.

Food Gatherers is Washtenaw County's food bank and food rescue program. In 2010, the program distributed 5 million pounds of food to 164 nonprofit programs serving hungry adults, children and families in Washtenaw County.

Mary Schlitt, director of development for Food Gatherers, said nearly 70 percent of the agency's labor force is volunteer labor.

Schlitt said the annual event to thank donors and longtime volunteers included a guest list of people from all walks of life who have contributed money, time and talents to alleviate the growing problem of hunger in Washtenaw County.

She said it has been a challenge to keep up with the demand and need for emergency food assistance in the county.

Over the last four years, she said, there has been a 138 percent increase in those seeking assistance.

Schlitt said the volunteers are a vital part of getting those resources to the people who need them.

Eileen Spring, president and CEO of Food Gatherers, introduced volunteer Pat Wilinski as "one of the friendliest and most dedicated people you'll ever meet."

Wilinski was awarded the "Great Gatherer" award for her sustained and outstanding volunteer service.

"She has never missed a volunteer shift that anyone can remember," Spring said. "She is fiercely dedicated."

Wilinski has volunteered since 2002 for the agency, doing everything from working in the warehouse cooler sorting perishable foods to office work.

"I know I'm fortunate to have the time and resources to support this organization," she said.

Before her husband died seven years ago, Wilinski said she and her husband volunteered regularly at the Grillin' for Food Gatherers fundraising event. She also brought her father with her to volunteer before he died earlier this year.

Even through her grief, Wilinski continued her work at Food Gatherers.

"This is how I honor them," she said. "Thank you for letting me be a 'food gatherer.'"

Fighting back tears, Ellen Baron, a horticultural instructor at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, accepted the "Gatherer of Plenty" award on behalf of the women involved in the horticultural program at the prison.

"It's their tears, not mine," she said upon accepting the award for the women who grow and donate produce to Food Gatherers every year.

The program was started 10 years ago to give the women in the prison basic skills for entry level jobs in the horticulture field.

"It's difficult to state the enormity of the impact that giving back to the community has on these women.

"The students," she said, "are proud to contribute what little bit they have so that someone who is worse off than they are does not have to go hungry that night.

"Thank you for providing the opportunity for them to redeem themselves in some small way," she said.

"The opportunities feed our students' souls and, in a place that is notorious for poor attitudes, that's a wonderful thing," Baron said.

Bob Sutton of Ann Arbor-based business Terumo received Food Gatherers' "Rookie of the Year" award for initiating an annual employee giving program at his workplace.

Last year, his fundraising efforts raised enough money for 48,000 meals.

Schlitt said he had definitely graduated from "rookie" to a "major player" in the fight against hunger.

"We can't solve the world's problems," Sutton said. "We can't even touch them, but we can do what we can to help in our own community, and I'm very proud of that."

The "One of a Kind Gatherer" award went to Metro Delivery, for providing free pickup and delivery services; Saline Picture Frame Co., for its involvement with the Circle of Art annual silent auction; and Valerie Mann, a Saline artist who regularly participates in the Circle of Art.

The seventh annual Circle of Art silent auction is set from noon to 5 p.m. May 15 at the Saline Picture Frame Co. in Saline.

Food Gatherers awarded its "Gatherer of Distinction" prize to Zingerman's Community of Businesses, the founders of Food Gatherers, for visionary leadership in fighting hunger in the community.

U.S. Rep. John Dingell was on hand to congratulate recipients.

"You are helping people who are down on their luck and who are having a bad time," Dingell said. "Keep up the good work. You should be very proud of what you do."

State Rep. Jeff Irwin and County Commissioner Kristin Judge also attended the reception. Food was prepared with the help of Food Gatherers' Community Kitchen job training program graduates. The Community High School jazz group provided entertainment.