Each year, more than one million people in Michigan will need to use the services offered by a food bank. And each year, state employees have helped make a difference by generously giving food and funds during the annual state employee Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign.

The kick-off for the 2008 state employees' campaign is Monday, October 13, and it ends October 24, 2008. I urge you to take part in this annual tradition and help exceed last year's donation of 57,724 pounds of food and $38,013.

Boxes for collecting non-perishable food items and pledge cards for tax-deductible monetary donations will be available at your workplace soon (if not already). All food donations go to local food banks, and all funds are directly used to purchase food items and pay for their transport.

During the two-week drive, department coordinators all across the state have tapped into their creative energy and planned fun activities to create a friendly competition among employees to raise food and funds to help Michigan's families in need. Be on the lookout for activities in your department and have fun supporting this worthy cause.

I encourage you to participate in your department's Harvest Gathering activities. Together, we can make a difference.

Sincerely yours,
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm