HUNGER FREE IN THE D

In the late 60’s, Tom’s father worked 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.

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.

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.