Art Van Kicks off Food Drive

October 30, 2015  by in Community / Charitable Support, Furniture Retailing, Industry   

The Warren, Mich.-based retailer has partnered with a local television station for the drive that will benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. Starting Sunday and running through Nov. 23, Art Van will have collection stations at its 17 metro Detroit locations for guests to drop off non-perishable food items. Donations will be distributed to families in need by the non-profit organization.

Since 2009, more than 90,000 pounds of food have been donated as part of the Together We Can campaign for rural, suburban and urban communities across metro Detroit. Last year, 20,701 pounds of packaged and canned food was collected, providing more than 17,200 meals to families in need. 

"Families struggling to make ends meet feel the pressure of the holidays more than most," said Gary Van Elslander, president of Art Van Furniture. "Our guests and WXYZ-TV's viewers have donated so generously to the Together We Can program over the past six years to help their neighbors in need. We will continue to do everything we can to ease the burden of hunger in our community and showcase the true meaning of the holidays."

One in six people in Michigan struggle with hunger. Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan distributes more than 34 million pounds of food each year to more than 500 soup kitchens, shelters and pantries in five Michigan counties.