Press Release: 2019 Bed & Bread Club Radiothon
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit's 32nd annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, presented by Ford Motor Company Fund, will be an expanded 24-hour event fighting hunger and homelessness in metro Detroit. The Salvation Army’s fundraising goal of $1.4 million will help the nonprofit continue serving more than 1.4 million meals and providing more than 133,000 nights of shelter throughout the year.
The event will kick off at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 allowing supporters a head start to help the social services agency provide meals and shelter to those in need. Night owls can be one of the first to donate to the Radiothon and follow The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to learn about the Bed & Bread program. News/Talk 760 WJR will share success stories and Radiothon donation information to those tuning in overnight.
The 32nd annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon will switch to the live broadcast at 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 from a brand-new venue – One Campus Martius in the heart of Detroit. The Radiothon lineup will feature:
· Guy Gordon: 6 – 10 a.m.
· Frank Beckmann: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
· Dick Purtan: 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
· Mitch Albom: 4 – 6 p.m.
Jim Vella, president of Ford Motor Company Fund, will return for the third straight year as the Radiothon corporate champion and cohost alongside Gordon and Beckmann until noon before returning later for Albom’s portion of the broadcast.
Throughout the Radiothon, Detroit media, along with local and national civic and business leaders will join the conversation and encourage individuals to make a difference for the hungry and homeless in metro Detroit. A donation of $120 will help feed five people for nearly a month. Those doubling their generosity to $240 will provide meals to 10 people and receive a polar-fleece lined knit beanie cap for supporting The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread program. For a $255 donation, an extra knit cap will be donated to one of the Bed & Bread clients to keep them warm during the brutal, Michigan winter.
Individuals can contribute by:
· Texting BREAD to 91999
· Calling 833-SAL-HOPE (833-725-4673)
· Sending a check or money order, made payable to The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread Club, to 16130 Northland Drive, Southfield, MI 48075
“The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread program began in 1988 on the streets of Detroit and has since committed to serving everyone who comes up to our trucks for a meal and a warm beverage,” said Major Russ Sjögren, general secretary and metro Detroit area commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “It only makes sense for our Radiothon, which is the primary source of funding for the program, to broadcast from the city where we serve the most individuals.”
Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, has provided five vehicles in recent years to The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division to support the Bread & Bread program, as well as Emergency Disaster Services. The Ford Motor Company Fund is returning as the Bed & Bread Club Radiothon presenting sponsor for a third year to help ensure The Salvation Army can meet the needs of those it serves across the region.
“Ford Fund is dedicated to improving people’s lives and advancing social mobility, and one of the most important ways we do that is by providing access to basic needs,” said Vella, who is also a member of The Salvation Army National Advisory Board. “Let’s not forget the powerful impact a meal can have on someone who is hungry.”
The Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has been broadcasting live on WJR since 2011. In its 31-year history, the fundraiser has raised more than $34 million.
“At WJR, we’ve seen the impact of our listener’s donations and how they are helping so many right here in our community,” said Steve Finateri, market manager of News/Talk 760 WJR. “Our entire team of producers, radio hosts and behind-the-scenes staff are proud to partner with The Salvation Army for the ninth consecutive year.”
Annually, the Bed & Bread program serves 18,720 gallons of soup; 102,000 loaves of bread; 143,000 pounds of deli meat; 182,000 hot dogs; and 520,000 pieces of fruit and snacks. The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread trucks travel 180 miles, making 57 stops every day of the year within the city of Detroit.
About The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Program
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread Program serves more than 3,800 meals each day to men, women and children who would otherwise go without. That’s more than 1.4 million meals every year. In addition, the Bed & Bread Program provides over 131,000 nights of shelter annually. The Bed & Bread Program is unique in that it serves many people via mobile soup kitchens. The Bed & Bread trucks are on the streets of Detroit 365 days a year making designated stops throughout the day.