Celani Family Foundation, WJR Launch 'Hunger Free In The D'

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NOVI — The Celani Family Foundation today is partnering with WJR 760-AM this holiday season to launch a community-wide fundraising initiative called Hunger Free In The D.

“Helping our neighbors in need has always been a passion, priority and privilege for me and my wife, Vicki,” said Tom Celani, founder of the family’s namesake foundation and CEO of Luna Entertainment. “We’re so fortunate to be in a position to help others, and we hope to encourage as many people as possible to give what they can this holiday season, so we can reach our goal of contributing $200,000 to two great organizations. Everyone in the D deserves to be hunger-free.”

Hunger Free In The D is a two-week campaign to raise the funds needed to provide 10,000 holiday meals, which will be distributed by Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and Capuchin Soup Kitchen, to individuals and families struggling to meet basic needs this holiday season.

Beginning today and running through Nov. 24, the Celani Family Foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar (up to $100,000), every donation made by the public to Gleaners and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, with the goal of reaching a $200,000 total donation before Thanksgiving.

On Nov. 24, the campaign will culminate with a live broadcast of WJR-AM’s Paul W. Smith Show (6-9 a.m.) from Gleaners in Detroit, where representatives from both organizations will receive an on-air donation of the much-needed funds. Interested donors can contribute to the cause at HungerFreeInTheD.com.

For nearly 40 years, Gleaners has been feeding hungry people and nourishing communities.  Last year, Gleaners distributed 41 million pounds of emergency food to more than 550 partner soup kitchens, shelters and pantries in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, and Monroe counties.

For more information on Hunger Free in The D, or to contribute, visit HungerFreeInTheD.com.