FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 Contact: Rob Clark, Michigan Sugar Company, 989-686-0161

22,800 pounds distributed Thursday, Oct. 25, in partnership with United Way of Bay County, Hidden Harvest

BAY CITY – Michigan Sugar Company this week continued its partnership with United Way of Bay County in distributing 22,800 pounds of sugar to 57 area food pantries.

The distribution took place from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at Bay City Milling, 715 McGraw St. in Bay City.

Hidden Harvest of Saginaw helped transport donations to several of its food pantries.

“With our annual harvest now fully underway and the holiday season just around the corner, we are very pleased to once again be distributing sugar to our local food pantries with the knowledge that our product will continue on into the hands of those who need it most,” said Rob Clark, Director of Communications and Community Relations for Michigan Sugar. “Michigan Sugar Company’s employees and our nearly 1,000 grower-owners are committed to giving back to our communities and this distribution is just one way to do that.”

Clark said Michigan Sugar Company annually donates about 85,000 pounds of sugar to charitable causes throughout Michigan.

“The United Way sugar distribution is certainly a significant piece of that,” he said. “And this year, we increased our distribution amount with each participating agency receiving 400 pounds of white granulated sugar.”

Officials from the United Way and Hidden Harvest said the sugar donations are quite meaningful, especially this time of year.

“The United Way of Bay County is proud and grateful to partner with Michigan Sugar in the distribution of sugar to 57 food pantries,” said Marybeth Laisure, Executive Director and CEO for the United Way of Bay County. “With the holidays fast approaching, many families have baking traditions that have been passed down for generations. With the donation of this sweet product, Michigan Sugar assures that lowincome families have the opportunity to bake or cook up some of their own family favorites.”

Samantha McKenzie, President and CEO of Hidden Harvest, echoed that statement.

“Michigan Sugar’s annual distribution means so much to the Hidden Harvest food pantries in the Great Lakes Bay Region: these donations mean a teaspoon of local sweetness in someone’s coffee as they register for food assistance and a kitchen staple that local families visiting a food pantry will truly appreciate,” she said. “Thank you Michigan Sugar for making this possible, we appreciate the partnership in putting good food to good use.”

To see photos from this year’s Sugar Distribution, check out Michigan Sugar Company’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/michigansugar/.

###