Each March, all of the Ross campuses work hard to gather food for local food banks, pantries, and other organizations. This year’s food drive at Ross Medical Education Center in Brighton, Michigan was a great success! They were able to collect non-perishable foods and other supplies for Bountiful Harvest of Brighton. According to founder Yvonne Cavalli, “by working together with human service agencies, charitable organizations, food banks, churches, individuals and businesses, our combined effort has the potential of being the greatest grassroots campaign to fight hunger in Livingston County.” The Bountiful Harvest website also indicates that over 2500 families have been served by the pantry, where they received 202,523 pounds of food and other items.
In addition to acting as a food bank, Bountiful Harvest also provides meals to needy families. In fact, over this last holiday season, volunteers provided over 150 turkeys with all the fixings for Thanksgiving and turkey or ham dinners for Christmas. Every Saturday, the facility, operating out of St. George’s Church, serves a hot breakfast to anyone who wishes to attend.
Bountiful Harvest also provides other needed services to the Livingston County community. Connected Kidz provides free laptops, targeting 5th graders, to help prepare them for high school. During the Christmas season, a Christmas store provided gifts for parents to select for their children. Children are also given the opportunity to obtain gifts for their parents. All participants were also able to wrap their presents.
The Bountiful Harvest Clothing Pantry celebrated its 6th anniversary in November, supplying clothes from newborn sizes to adult. November Saturdays provided a winter coat give-away which also included gloves, scarfs and hats.
This organization also partners with the SNAP program, having the Coordinator meet with interested clients. Other resources are provided through a resource navigator to help clients obtain assistance with housing, gas, and utility payments. The organization also hosts other fundraising events, such as a Piston events on March 28th. Campus Director Susan Mall chose the organization because “Bountiful Harvest is a small, community centered organization that relies on volunteers and donations only.” The Bountiful Harvest’s mission statements says, “Bountiful Harvest Inc. is a vocal advocate for the hungry and displaced. We do what is needed in order to help children and families in need. No need is too small and no voice is too quiet to be heard. We will devote the time and energy necessary to educate, advocate, and feed.”
If you are interested in their services or helping out, information is available at www.bountifulharvest-mi.org.