Secretary of State offices collect five tons of food, more than $1,600

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced on Dec. 30 that the 2019 Harvest Gathering campaign at Secretary of State offices collected more than 10,200 pounds of food and more than $1,600.
“I’m grateful to our customers and staff for generously contributing to their neighbors in need,” Benson said. “Our offices have been part of the Harvest Gathering program for many years and we are proud to join other organizations in this annual statewide effort to fight hunger in Michigan.”
The Sparta branch office ranked first in food collection, bringing in more than 7,000 pounds of food. The Hastings office collected 541 pounds of food and the Petoskey office collected 127 pounds. Department of State staff in three Secretary of State buildings in Lansing raised more than $1,000. Collected items were distributed to local food banks.
Harvest Gathering collection boxes were placed in Secretary of State offices and state office buildings during the fall food drive. Customers also mailed financial donations directly to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.
The Secretary of State’s Office has participated in the Harvest Gathering campaign since 1999. The campaign is coordinated by the Food Bank Council of Michigan, which supplies the state’s regional food banks through donations of food and money. The regional food banks serve food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in every Michigan county.