Hiller's and Miller Poultry Donate 5,200 Pounds of Chicken to Gleaners Community Food Bank

DETROIT, MI, December 08, 2012 (Press-News.org) Hiller's and Miller Poultry are helping Gleaners provide much-needed protein for families on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 11 a.m., when they present 5,200 pounds of chicken to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners), Michigan's largest food bank and emergency food provider. This donation represents 11,600 meals.

The donation will be delivered at 11 a.m. at Hiller's in Plymouth - 15455 Haggerty Road at 5 Mile Road.

In the last two weeks of December 2012, Gleaners will distribute 3 million pounds of food for hungry families across southeast Michigan. The need grows at year-end when children don't receive daily meals at school and hundreds of families worry about the expense of providing meals at home.

"We are in this together," said Jim Hiller, president and CEO of Hiller's. "We all have an obligation to help our communities. Hunger is very real in this country and our state. Hiller's sees the eradication of hunger as one of its responsibilities as a Michigan based company and concerned corporate citizen."

"As a member of the Mennonite faith, Galen Miller the president of Miller Poultry, strongly believes in giving back to the community," said Len Neeb, manager of Miller Poultry located in Orland, Indiana. "Every year during the holiday we donate the best quality chicken to those in need. We chose to partner with Hiller's on this project because they are a long-time loyal customer of Miller Poultry and Jim Hiller also knows the importance of giving back."

Hunger in southeast Michigan is a stark reality. Michigan has one of the highest poverty rates for families in the Midwest and nearly half of Michigan students qualifying for free or reduced-fee meals at school. When school is on break these students are at risk of missing the two to three meals they would normally get.

"Gleaners and the pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters we serve still see many families who need emergency food assistance for the first time," said Gerry Brisson, Sr. Vice President of Advancement. "In the Plymouth/Canton area alone, we are distributing more than 126,000 pounds of food to families through our partner network every month. This donation from Hiller's and Miller Poultry is so important for these families because protein items are the most difficult to afford - and still desperately needed. And, at this time of year, every dollar and every donation makes a huge difference."

Who: Hiller's, Miller Poultry and Gleaners Community Food Bank*
Justin Hiller, Vice President of Hiller's
Len Neeb, manager for Miller's Poultry
Gerry Brisson, Sr. Vice President of Advancement for Gleaners

What: Donating 5,200 pounds of chicken - 11,600 meals - to Gleaners/ Brief remarks

Where: 15455 Haggerty Road Plymouth, MI 48170
Gleaners Truck and Miller Poultry Truck in front of the store

When: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 11 a.m.

*Representatives will all be available to speak with media.

About Gleaners Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners): Founded in 1977, Gleaners is one of the oldest and largest food banks in the country. Today it distributes more than 40 million pounds of emergency food annually, equivalent to 85,284 meals per day. Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners operates a total of five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties, which provide food to over 600 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and other agencies throughout southeastern Michigan. Of every dollar donated, Gleaners uses 94cents for food and food programs. One dollar provides three meals for a hungry neighbor.

About Hiller's: Our grocery stores offer premier products, gourmet delectables, healthy choices, and lifestyle shopping. It has been said that we eat with our eyes before we ever take a bite. You'll have such a sensory-rich experience at Hiller's - how good it will feel for shopping to be enjoyable and even fun! The Hiller name is known for quality, variety, great taste, and unparalleled customer service.

Media contact:
Marcy Hayes,
C&B Scene
248.336.8360 or
scene@candbscene.com