Michigan Sugar Company recently hosted its annual “Sugar Food Pantry,” a joint project with the United Way of Bay County enabling regional food banks to pick up four-pound bags of sugar for use by local families. The donation, totaling approximately 15,000 pounds of sugar, assists food banks across the Michigan Sugar growing region in five Michigan counties.

Local food banks will receive 15,000 pounds of Michigan Sugar

“Giving back to local communities across our growing region is a core value for Michigan Sugar Company, and our donation to local food banks every fall helps them adequately prepare for the holiday season,” says Ray VanDriessche, community and government relations director for Michigan Sugar. “Every Michigan Sugar farm family and employee is proud of the work we do, and it’s important to all of us that we give back to the communities across our growing region.”

“Michigan Sugar Company is an excellent community partner, and this food donation event is just one example of how Michigan Sugar has worked hand in hand with United Way to make lives better throughout Michigan’s Thumb and Saginaw Valley,” says Jeff Mayes, board president of United Way of Bay County. “We truly appreciate Michigan Sugar’s generosity, and we’re glad to know thousands of Michigan families will benefit from this donation.”

Every year, Michigan Sugar donates sugar to approximately 40 food pantries across Bay, Saginaw, Arenac, Midland and Tuscola Counties, coordinating the opportunity with United Way. In 2016, Michigan Sugar is providing 90, four-pound bags of sugar to each partnering food bank, which will then provide them directly to local families. 

“Our pantry is always grateful to receive the sugar to help our families,” says Cookie Bumgarner of the Pinconning Area Emergency Food Pantry. “The sugar is also a great addition to the food baskets that we pass out through the year.”

“As the food pantries and agencies in Bay County try to alleviate the hunger and need of so many, it seems to get a bit harder each and every year. It’s extremely generous gifts like this from Michigan Sugar that make our job much easier,” says Mark Morand from the Our Lady of Peace SVdP Pantry said. “We can only say ‘Thank You’ for all of those that will enjoy a better holiday because of this gift to the community.”

VanDriessche says the annual donation is timed to provide extra sugar for food banks ahead of the holiday season, when sugar use for baking and celebrations peaks.

“The opportunity to help those in need celebrate a joyful holiday season, with their family and friends, makes our annual Sugar Food Pantry extra special for Michigan Sugar,” he says.

Source: Michigan Sugar