McDowell Honored With Hunger for Justice Award

Representative Gary McDowell of Rudyard was honored for his work to relieve hunger in Michigan. Mr. McDowell was one of this year’s Hunger for Justice Award recipients when the Food Bank Council of Michigan awarded the Hunger-Free Michigan Awards during its Michigan Harvest Gathering Celebration Luncheon Thursday, November 12, in Lansing.

The Hunger for Justice award is given annually to a policy maker whose commitment and effort has contributed to legislative changes that support the work of Michigan’s emergency food network. Representative McDowell’s leadership and contribution to a hunger-free Michigan is honored with this award.

Mr. McDowell, who serves Chippewa, Mackinac, Emmet and part of Cheboygan counties, has been extremely supportive of Michigan food banks through his support of the Michigan Agricultural Surplus System (MASS), the agency reported. While ultimately it was funded through appropriations in the Department of Agriculture and Department of Human Services budgets, Mr. McDowell's efforts were essential in ensuring the continued funding of the program.

“Representative McDowell’s commitment to Michigan’s food banking network is a tremendous help in fighting hunger,” said Jane Marshall, executive director of the food bank council. “His efforts to secure funding for the MASS program will help keep thousands of pounds of surplus crops from going to waste in 2010.”

This year, the Michigan Harvest Gathering raised $558,915 and collected 228,454 pounds of food, which will help secure nearly three million meals for Michigan’s hungry. Founded in 1991 by Bill and Cynthia Schuette, the Michigan Harvest Gathering has provided more than 14 million meals for people through Michigan food banks since its creation.

The council serves as a statewide leadership for food banks. For information about the Michigan Harvest Gathering, including information about how and where to give, visit www.feedmichigan. org.