The partnership began last September when Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations became convenient drop-off sites for staff, patients and the community to donate non-perishable food items. Since then, more than 2,248 pounds of food has been collected.

For every four pounds of food Gleaners receives, the non-profit organization is able to provide three meals to a hungry neighbor. According to these estimates, the Medical Weight Loss Clinic donations equate to about 1,686 meals and counting.

At a time when  one in seven people – including one in five children – are facing food insecurity in Southeast Michigan, programs like this one are making a difference.

“Combined with (the Medical Weight Loss Clinic) holiday cookbook download donations supporting our summer Meet Up and Eat Up program, this food has been a lifeline for our mobile food distributions and local food pantry partners as we all work to meet the ongoing demand in the face of high food and housing costs,” Bob adds. “We are incredibly grateful for the awareness the Medical Weight Loss Clinic team spreads about food insecurity and the simple process they’ve created for patients to get involved. 

Fran Yee, marketing director for Medical Weight Loss Clinic, considers the partnership beneficial to all parties.

“When patients start a program with any of our 27 Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations, they will often do a pantry reset where they will remove any non-perishable goods not on plan to avoid temptation so it makes perfect sense to collect these items to be distributed to those in need,” she says. “With the help of Gleaners, we can help ensure unopened, non-perishable items are not wasted.”

Gleaners provides food to more than 400 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, schools and other agencies across the region. In 2023, Gleaners distributed more than 50 million pounds of food to neighbors in need.

But the work is far from over. In the past year, more people than ever visited Gleaners for help. The organization experienced a 30% increase in demand for its services over the previous year, mirroring increased levels of need seen at food banks across Michigan.

“We look forward to an ongoing relationship with Gleaners, especially since it impacts so many people in our community in a positive way,” Yee adds.

The time to shop your own pantry is now. Donation boxes are still available.

Bring unopened, non-perishable, labeled and shelf-stable food items today at any Medical Weight Loss Clinic location. Learn more at mwlc.com.