Go to a Pistons game and help the Food Bank Council of Michigan

This Tuesday, March 2nd, the Detroit Pistons versus Boston Celtics represents the 3rd Annual Pistons Care Telethon benefiting the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Faithful readers of our blog and customers of Gift Baskets From Michigan LLC know that the Food Bank Council of Michigan's efforts are near and dear to our hearts. We donate 1% of each and every sale to the Food Bank Council. There are four ways you can support the Detroit Pistons in their efforts to raise funds for the Food Bank Council of Michigan -

1. Buy a 200-level ticket for $20 will provide 50 meals for Michigan families
2. Buy a 100-level ticket for $50 and provide 125 meals for Michigan families
3. Donate directly at www.fbcmich.org/pistonscare
4. Mail your donation with check payable to Food Bank Council of Michigan to: The Palace of Auburn Hills Attn: Accounting - 6 Championship Drive, Auburn HIlls, MI 48326

Lets see how much money can be raised to help feed Michigan families.

Help us help the Food Bank Council of Michigan this Christmas season

We donate 1% of every sale to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The Food Bank then uses its buying power in addition to various alliances and resources to distribute food to food banks across the state of Michigan. Now more than ever, the Food Bank Council of Michigan needs our help. From the Food Bank Council's website -

Last year, FBCM food programs procured and distributed 50.2 million pounds of food for food banks to feed people in Michigan—up 25% over the previous year. And this year, we’re on track to do even more as the need for emergency food has increased, on average, over 30% across the state.

To illustrate the Food Bank Council's buying power head over to their website and play "Fill the Fridge." It is a great way to illustrate to both kids and adults just how far their donations can go.

For instance, I plugged in a donation of $200 and it would feed a family of 4 for 17 weeks (just over 4 months)! That's calculated out to 1,400 meals, 2,000 pounds of food at a value of $3,000. If only investment bankers and the stock market could turn $200 into $3,000 as easily!

Learn more about what you can do to help feed Michigan's hungry at the Food Bank Council of Michigan website. In addition to money, you can give of your time - which we all can scrounge for some time to spare.

So please, remember that when you buy a gift basket from us that a portion of that money goes to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to help feed the hungry. That's why we like to say that with Gift Baskets From Michigan, you can give a gift that gives back.

In honor of Thanksgiving, give to your local food bank today

Things are tough all over and in Michigan we've been feeling the pinch longer than the rest of the nation. It seems nearly every day I see a news blip about food banks having to turn folks away because they can't keep up with the demand. I'm asking that in honor of this being the season of Thanksgiving that everyone make a donation to their local food bank. Whether it's monetary or just a grocery sack of assorted food items - lets show everyone that the folks here in Michigan band together and help each other out. We will keep on donating 1% of every sale to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. They even let you donate online at their website www.fbcmich.org.

We already dropped off food at the local high school that is running a food drive. My next stop is the local library that is also collecting food donations and selling reusable grocery bags for $4 with $2 going to the local food bank.

If you are unsure of what types of food and other necessary items to donate here's a brief list to get you started.

• Cereals
• Canned Meats
• Tuna
• Rice
• Peanut Butter
• Beans, dried or canned
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit and fruit juices
• Corn meal
• Flour
• Sugar
• Macaroni and cheese
• Cooking oil
• Soup, dried and canned
• Jelly or jam
• Canned or dried pasta
• Detergents
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

When in doubt, just ask yourself what you would like to eat in an emergency.