Art Van helps collect 50,000 pounds of food for needy

WARREN, Mich. — Art Van Furniture teamed with WXYZ-TV here to collect more than 50,000 pounds of food this season in the Together We Can food drive.

Three Art Van semi trucks delivered the nonperishable items to Gleaners Community Food Bank, where they were to be sorted and delivered to needy recipients. One in every four Michigan households is facing hunger, officials said.

The food was collected at the 34 Art Van Furniture locations during the month-long campaign, the latest in a three-year partnership with the TV station.

“This is a great example of power in numbers,” said Art Van President Gary Van Elslander. “We are so grateful to our guests and all others who brought food to our collection barrels, allowing us to feed so many people, topping last year’s remarkable drive.”

Last year, the joint effort collected 40,000 pounds of food.

Every month, Gleaners feeds around 100,000 families in Metro Detroit. Anne Schenk, a spokesperson for the food bank, said the food drive “really comes right as we are leading into the holiday season when we see need really spike. When the community really comes together, it helps us help our hungry neighbors.”