Amy Garno

Staff Writer

Adrian, Mich.- This is the second year in a row that Golden Image Salon in Tecumseh has joined Siena Heights University’s (SHU) annual Food Drive. This year’s food drive took place November 18-22, the week before Thanksgiving. Golden Image started taking donations November 1st and extended its drive until Christmas. They offered a 5 percent discount off goods and services to clients who made a donation of non-perishable food items or toiletries.

These donated items were given to The Daily Bread (TDB), a soup kitchen and pantry in Adrian.  TDB has been busy serving local residents from Lenawee County and surrounding areas for the past twelve years.  By providing a loving, non-judgmental environment, the patrons are able to feel comfortable to come in and receive the help they need.  In the first quarters of 2013, from January through July, TDB served 14,293 hot meals and 15,138 pantry meals.  There is an estimated 1,000 plus meals needed for the last quarter of the year.

“We chose to join Siena Heights University’s food drive because we want to help put an end to hunger in our community too.  Siena Heights has proven to be a strong contributor to this cause,’ commented Golden Image beautician Suzy Garno.

The food drive was organized by SHU professor Jeff Lindstom and his social psychology class as part of the social learning process. The students are first required to volunteer serving at TDB to learn the reality of hunger and homelessness and what they can do to make a difference. They then come up with a plan to organize and promote the food drive.  By involving local businesses they are hoping to influence the community to give and join in the efforts to eliminate hunger.

SHU has been TDB’s largest contributor, with each year exceeding the years before in food and toiletries.

Lindstom’s enthusiasm for the food drive is for two main reasons:  To help feed the people today and tomorrow.

“For today I want to feed the people now.  Hunger is real and it affects real people every day.  Their hunger can’t wait.  As for feeding people tomorrow, we will need those in emerging generations to take up the cause for hunger,” he explained.  “Fortunately, we CAN end hunger.  This IS doable.  We have more than enough food to end hunger today.  We don’t have to grow, harvest, process, package, etc. anything more.  All the food we need is available and it is simply a matter of getting it to those who need it.  We can end hunger and, to me, that’s worth the fight!”

“Many of our clients were happy to be a part of such a good cause.  This year’s contributions definitely exceeded last years.  We would like to continue teaming up with SHU in the future with their efforts to fight hunger, “ noted Suzy Garno.