Beacon of Light Awards

Written By Nikki O'Meara

The Food Bank Council of Michigan sees people and organizations throughout the state that inspire others with a commitment to their food bank.  These “Beacons of Light” make a lasting impact in their communities and these awards recognize them for this effort.  Each year, our seven member food banks each choose an individual or organization to be recognized with this prestigious award.

 

Below is the list of past Beacon of Light Award winners:

2016

  • Feeding America West Michigan – Meijer

  • Food Gatherers – Cultivate

  • Forgotten Harvest – Open Door Ministry

  • South Michigan Food Bank – N/A

  • Food Bank of Eastern Michigan – MDHHS

  • Greater Lansing Food Bank – Isabella Community Soup Kitchen

  • Gleaners Community Food Bank – Mike and Adele Acheson

2017 

  • Feeding American West Michigan – Ham Family Farm

  • Food Gatherers – Ann Arbor YMCA YVC

  • Forgotten Harvest – Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

  • South Michigan Food Bank – The Daily Bread of Lenawee

  • Food Bank of Eastern Michigan – Genesee Intermediate School District

  • Greater Lansing Food Bank – Delta Dental of Michigan

  • Gleaners Community Food Bank – Mastronardi Produce

 

2018

  • Feeding America West Michigan – Mitten Brewing Company

  • Food Gatherers – William Sherd - Washtenaw Intermediate School District [WISD]

  • Forgotten Harvest – Fish and Loaves Food Pantry

  • South Michigan Food Bank – Local PS Food Mart

  • Food Bank of Eastern Michigan – Art Luna, Director at the Martus-Luna Food Pantry

  • Greater Lansing Food Bank – Helping Hands Food Pantry

  • Gleaners Community Food Bank – Children’s Hospital of Michigan Professional Nurse Council

 

2019

  • Feeding America West Michigan – Jimmy Chambers

  • Food Gatherers – United Way of Washtenaw County

  • Forgotten Harvest – Matrix Human Services – Zina Crosson

  • South Michigan Food Bank – Carrie Erlandson, Associate Superintendent of White Pigeon Schools

  • Food Bank of Eastern Michigan – Stuart Wilson

  • Greater Lansing Food Bank – Mimi Herberlein

  • Gleaners Community Food Bank – Katie Fehr, Community Service Director, Fox 2 Detroit

 

2020

  • No Beacon of Light Awards given due to the COVID-19 pandemic

 

2021

  • Feeding America West Michigan – Cortney Boes-Freeland, Milk Means More

  • Food Gatherers – N/A

  • Forgotten Harvest – Doug Busch

  • South Michigan Food Bank – Scott Avery

  • Food Bank of Eastern Michigan – Kurt Damrow

  • Greater Lansing Food Bank – Joshua Gillespie

  • Gleaners Community Food Bank – Ron and Peggy Weingartz

 

Hunger-Free Michigan Awards

The Food Bank Council of Michigan recognizes individuals and organizations who are committed to solving food insecurity in Michigan with the Hunger-Free Michigan Awards.

Below are the past Hunger-Free Michigan Award winners:

2017
Kroger

2019
United Dairy Industry of Michigan
Representative Roger Victory

2020
Michigan National Guard
Consumers Energy

2021
Dr. Delicia Pruitt, M.D.
Lewis Roubal, MDHHS Chief Deputy Director for Opportunity

Bill & Cynthia Schuette Awards
Bill & Cynthia Schuette started the Michigan Harvest Gathering in 1990 to help fight hunger and solve food insecurity in Michigan.  The first Bill & Cynthia Schuette Award was given out in 2020 and it was created to recognize a champion of food security in Michigan.

Below are the past Bill & Cynthia Schuette Award winners:

2020
Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Nikki O'Meara
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