On Thursday, October 5th, the annual Food Gatherers fundraiser kicked off at Community High School. Forums met in Craft Theater for a presentation on the Food Gatherers organization by Mary Schlitt, the Director of Development at Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor. The fundraiser is planned to last three weeks. Forums will meet again on Tuesday, November 9 to share their fundraising methods and stories. “I’m super psyched to be here this year. Last year was really amazing and did wonderful things for Food Gatherers…I was blown away,” said Schlitt.

Food Gatherers is a local organization in Ann Arbor serving the greater Washtenaw County Community. The non-profit exists to relieve hunger and eliminate its causes in response to a growing number of residents who cannot afford meals on a regular basis. Food Gatherers delivers more than 9,000 meals a day to nearly 150 community programs serving Washtenaw County. Following a 138% increase in meal needs in the community, CHS forums hope to assist Food Gatherers in their efforts. A $1 donation provides three meals for Food Gatherers to distribute to the community. Community High forums are aiming to double the success of last year’s fundraiser. Eight forums participated in the fundraiser in 2009 and raised over $5,000 in two weeks.

This year, 15 forums are participating in an effort to provide over 30,000 meals to Washtenaw County. A forum can work as one group or divide into smaller groups in order to raise the most amount of money. There is a friendly competitive edge within forums and the school at large, all benefiting Food Gatherers and the effort to relieve hunger in the community. “I am so excited to come back here in three weeks and see what amazing things you have come up with,” said Schlitt.