Saginaw launches $8.8M fundraiser for soup kitchen expansion

A soup kitchen and food rescue agency in Saginaw, Michigan, have started a public fundraising campaign for an $8.8 million facility expansion. The Hunger Solution Center, which is home to the East Side Soup Kitchen and Hidden Harvest, has already raised about $6.3 million. The fundraising effort is called the “555 Campaign.” Organizers aim for 555,000 people to donate at least $1 each. They hope to increase awareness and participation using social media. The campaign encourages people to skip a meal and donate the savings. Those who take part can post a photo holding a special plate with the hashtag #PassYourPlate. Jim Dwyer, chairman of the fundraising campaign, said this grassroots strategy is inspired by a local hockey team's success in creating buzz for their trophy. Dwyer wants the campaign to highlight food insecurity in mid-Michigan. The East Side Soup Kitchen serves up to 900 meals daily, but faces challenges with limited space. The planned expansion would provide a new kitchen, more storage, and a larger dining area. The goal is to create a safer and more efficient operation. Demand for food assistance has grown. The East Side Soup Kitchen served 50,000 lunches in 2004, but that number surged to 172,373 in 2023. Hidden Harvest distributed 3.5 million pounds of food last year, up from 820,000 pounds in 2004. Organizers hope to begin construction on the expansion this spring and finish it by next year. For more information about the campaign or to donate, visit the Hunger Solution Center's website.