The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit Fights Hunger and Homelessness for 35 Years
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (Feb. 10, 2022) – The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is continuing its fight against hunger and homelessness in metro Detroit with its 35th annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, hosted by 760 WJR, from 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 through 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25.
The Salvation Army’s $1.8 million fundraising goal will help the nonprofit continue serving nearly 1.6 million meals and providing more than 77,000 nights of shelter throughout the year.
“Hunger and homelessness do not take a day off. By donating to the Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, listeners offer hope for a better tomorrow to those who need it most,” said Major Tim Meyer, general secretary, metro Detroit area commander and regional chief operating officer for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “For 35 years, this fundraiser has been the primary source of funding for the Bed & Bread program. The Salvation Army is grateful for the generosity of 760 WJR and all our supporters who make it possible to feed and shelter our community’s most vulnerable.”
The Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has been broadcasting live on 760 WJR since 2011. In its 34-year history, the fundraiser has raised more than $39.5 million.
“After a tumultuous last two years, there’s an increased need in the metro Detroit community,” said Steve Finateri, market manager of 760 WJR. “760 WJR is honored to help The Salvation Army feed and shelter our neighbors in need. It’s incredible to see firsthand how lives can be changed through the generosity of our listeners’ and community donations.”
Throughout the Radiothon, listeners will have an opportunity to bid on experiential and unique auction items as part of an online ClickBid auction. All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread program.
Listeners can donate $120 to feed five people for nearly a month. Those who donate $240 will provide meals to 10 people for nearly a month and receive an embroidered, limited-edition Bed & Bread Club Radiothon soft black insulated lunch tote for supporting The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread program.
The Radiothon will kick off with Bed & Bread success stories and donation information to those tuning in overnight before switching to the live broadcast at 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 25. The lineup will feature:
Paul W. Smith & Sean Baligian 6 – 8 a.m.
Paul W. Smith, Sean Baligian & Marie Osborne 8 – 10 a.m.
Kevin Dietz, Tom Jordan & Lloyd Jackson 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Kevin Dietz, Tom Jordan & Chris Renwick 12 – 2 p.m.
Mitch Albom & Steve Courtney 2 – 4 p.m.
Guy Gordon & Dick Purtan 4 – 7 p.m.
Jim Vella, Salvation Army Metro Detroit and National Advisory Board member and longtime Bed & Bread Club supporter, will return for the sixth straight year as the Radiothon champion and join the 760 WJR hosts throughout the day.
Local and national celebrities, along with civic and business leaders will also join the conversation throughout the Radiothon, encouraging listeners to make a difference for the hungry and homeless in metro Detroit.
While other Bed & Bread programs do exist throughout the country, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread program is unique in that it also serves people via trucks that are mobile soup kitchens.
During the pandemic, The Salvation Army worked with Central City Integrated Health and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to educate and vaccinate Detroiters affected by racial and economic disparities in the access to and delivery of healthcare.
The Bed & Bread program also added the ‘Encore’ initiative, made possible through Ford Motor Company Fund, making special monthly trips through Detroit to serve additional communities in need expertise and resources from the Bed & Bread trucks.
Individuals can support The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread program by:
Texting BREAD to 24365
Calling 833-SAL-HOPE (833-725-4673)
For more information about The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, please visit www.salmich.org/radiothon.
About The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Program
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread program serves more nearly 4,400 meals each day to men, women and children who would otherwise go without. That’s nearly 1.6 million meals every year. In addition, the Bed & Bread program provides more than 77,000 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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