Greagein's "big he joudood Bank
They relaxed.
It's a war . . . this battle against poverty. Along the way, "wor-
rying" becomes a constant. At the Food Bank of Oakland
County, the only Second Harvest Food Bank in Oakland' They knew that with Michelle's "breaking heart," focused
writing skills, and powerful convictions, the food bank was
County . . .we are experiencing record-breaking growth.
in very good hands.
In 1997, we distributed 2.7 million pounds of food. In ;1 /998,
We may not have won the war against hunger yet. But this
3.8 million pounds! Yikes, that's a million pound inerease.
battle, the battle to provide for agencies like Yad Ezra, JARC,
And more agencies are joining, too. In 1997 we ser4ed 112
and hundreds more . . . sure looks more obtainable with
emergency pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior centers,
Greenstein on our team!
and youth sites. Today, three more agencies joined, bringing
our total to 143.
Congratulations, Michelle, and welcome to the food bank
family.
We worry.
To help develop food sources, friends, and funds, the food
bank sought a development person who could light the fire
of compassion in people's hearts. While a higher degree was
not necessary, our selected candidate has an MSW from Wayne
State University. Her internship of choice at the Hunger
Action Coalition was demonstration enough that her inten-
tions were in the right place.
In the interview process, Michelle Greenstein told us her
greatest weakness was her heart's inability to stop "breaking"
when she sees injustice, intolerance, and despair. We saw this
as her greatest strength.
Now, she worries. When will she secure thatfirst S10,000 gift so she
can purchase 85,000 meals for children under the age of 18, seniors
over the age of 65, and "the working poor?" When will the family
foundation, the corporate foundation, any foundation come through?
Sometime though, between her first excited day on the job,
and in between her research, thoroughness, excellence, and
infectious optimism . . . the board and Executive Director of
The Food Bank of Oakland County, began to do the most
remarkable thing.
The Food Bank of Oakland County is the only food bank that can fund raise,
food raise, and friend raise in this county.*
*with the exception of foundations and national corporations.
Food Bank of Oakland County
P.O. Box 431385 • Pontiac, MI 48343 (248) 332-1473
ItAttOXA1 f000 BAK tit 114011x
United INey
of Oakland County
6/1
199
Detroit Jewish News 11