In the late 60’s, Tom Celani remembers watching his father work with Detroit Councilman Jack Kelly and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen to help fight hunger in Detroit. Tom, and his wife Vicki, also wanted to introduce their children to volunteering by participating in serving meals at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
The Birth of the Hunger Free Campaign
In 2014, the Celani family initiated the Hunger Free in the D campaign after reading about how many struggling Michigan families went without a Thanksgiving meal. Instead of standing along the sidelines, they decided to launch the Hunger Free in the D campaign with the promise of matching dollar-for-dollar (up to $100,000), every donation that was made by the public to Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Collaborating with Paul W. Smith of WJR radio, the Hunger Free in the D Telethon was born. In the first year, the campaign raised more than $250,000.
In 2015, Lear Corporation joined the Celani Family Foundation as a sponsor of the event. The dollar-for-dollar match was raised to $150,000 and over $300,000 was raised.
This three-week campaign each November has raised over $2,700,00 Million to help bring more than 2,000,000 meals to struggling families in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Make a donation to help your community.
Press & Videos
Hunger Free in the D at Palazzo di Bocce
Paul W. Smith and Tom Celani Talk Hunger Free in the D
November 5, 2019
Hunger Free in the D 2016 business article
The third annual Hunger Free in the D event was hosted on Nov. 21 at the recently opened Farmington Hills Harley Davidson dealership. Proceeds benefitted the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Gleaner’s Food Bank, and Forgotten Harvest….Read More
Celani Family Foundation Joins WJR to Support Families in Need
November 12, 2015
The Celani Family Foundation, a non-profit organization created by community philanthropists Vicki and Tom Celani to help support and provide resources to local families in need, is partnering with WJR 760-AM/Paul W. Smith Show again this holiday season for the 2nd Annual community-wide fundraising initiative entitled, Hunger Free In The D… Read More
