Forgotten Harvest Celebrates 10th Anniversary of the Champagne Cruise

OAK PARK, MI - Forgotten Harvest, metro Detroit’s only mobile food rescue organization and America’s largest and Westborn Markets, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the annual Dream Cruise preview party, The Champagne Cruise on Friday, August 17 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Founded in 1963 in Dearborn by George Anusbigian, Westborn Market features three state-of-the-art European-style markets in Dearborn, Berkley and Livonia. George’s son Mark originated the idea of a premier event to help feed those in need and Champagne Cruise was born. Through the 10 years of the event, the Anusbigian Family and Westborn Markets will have raised more than five million meals and more than $1 million in financial support.

The Champagne Cruise has grown steadily each year to become a staple preview event to the annual Dream Cruise on Woodward. Westborn Market is located in Berkley alongside Woodward Avenue between 11 and 12 Mile roads.

“We’re a community market and our customers often have a very strong connection with us,” said Bryan Bandyk, Westborn Market Marketing Director. “A lot of people consider us to be their pantry so we feel it is important to be good neighbors to those in need. This is an event that for a decade now has become a tradition that we can all celebrate together.”

Last year, the event raised enough money for Forgotten Harvest to provide more than 425,000 meals to the community.

“Each year, cruisers think about that nostalgic drive up and down Woodward Avenue, but for us, each day we think about our 34 trucks cruising along the streets of Metro Detroit to rescue millions of pounds of food each year to provide to families in need,” said Susan Goodell, president and CEO of Forgotten Harvest. “The Champagne Cruise has been a great way for us to celebrate a day distinctly Detroit, while benefiting people in need.”