The Salvation Army Fights Hunger and Homelessness with 33rd Annual Bed & Bread Radiothon
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (Feb. 17, 2019) – The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit will hold its 33rd annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, presented by Ford Motor Company Fund, fighting hunger and homelessness in a 24-hour event. The Salvation Army’s fundraising goal of $1.5 million will help the nonprofit continue serving nearly 1.3 million meals and providing nearly 118,000 nights of shelter throughout the year.
The event will kick off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 allowing supporters a head start to help the nonprofit 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 33rd annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon will then switch to the live broadcast at 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 from One Campus Martius in the heart of Detroit. The Radiothon lineup will feature:
- Paul W. Smith: 6 – 10 a.m.
- Frank Beckmann and Steve Courtney: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- The Mitch Albom Show: 2 – 4 p.m.
- Guy Gordon with Dick Purtan and friends: 4 – 7 p.m.
Jim Vella, longtime Bed & Bread Club supporter and metro Detroit advisory board member, will return for the fourth straight year as the Radiothon champion and join the WJR hosts throughout the day.
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 neck gaiter (neck warmer) for supporting The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread program. For a $255 donation, individuals can also donate an extra neck gaiter to a Bed & Bread friend in need to help keep them warm during the brutal, Michigan winter.
Individuals can contribute by:
- Donate online
- Text BREAD to 24365
- Call 833-SAL-HOPE (833-725-4673)
“Since 1988, the Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has been the primary source of funding for the program, allowing The Salvation Army to do such crucial work,” said Major Tim Meyer, general secretary and metro Detroit area commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “In just 24 hours, this fundraiser enables our wonderful workers and volunteers to drive the streets of Detroit every single day, serving everyone who comes up to our trucks for a meal and a warm beverage.”
Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Motor Company have 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, the company’s philanthropic arm, is returning as the Bed & Bread Club Radiothon presenting sponsor for a fourth year to help ensure The Salvation Army can meet the needs of those it serves across the region.
The Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has been broadcasting live on WJR since 2011. In its 32-year history, the fundraiser has raised more than $36.2 million.
“The community plays a vital role in feeding and sheltering those in need,” said Steve Finateri, market manager of News/Talk 760 WJR. “At WJR, we’ve seen the impact of our listener’s donations and we are proud to partner with The Salvation Army for the tenth consecutive year.”
Annually, the Bed & Bread program serves 18,720 gallons of soup; 124,000 loaves of bread; 206,000 pounds of deli meat; 182,000 hot dogs; and 1.1 million pieces of fruit and snacks. The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread trucks travel 180 miles, making 57 stops 365 days a year serving meals within the city of Detroit, alternating between sandwiches and hot meals.
About The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Program
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread Program serves more than 3,500 meals each day to men, women and children who would otherwise go without. That’s nearly 1.3 million meals every year. In addition, the Bed & Bread Program provides nearly 118,000 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.
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