An army of over 100 volunteers which included from the left, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Susan Goodell, president and CEO of Forgotten Harvest, University of Michigan "Fab Five" and NBA basketball player Jalen Rose, Vivian Pickard, president of the General Motors Foundation, Russ Russell, Chief development officer for Forgotten Harvest and Bob Farmery, Area General Manager for the Detroit Marriott. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Detroit Marriott and Renaissance Center join Forgotten Harvest for ‘3rd Annual Holiday Dinner’

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - More than one thousand people, including nearly 700 children, served by emergency food providers across the City of Detroit were guest at a meal to remember as Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and Forgotten Harvest presented The 3rd Annual Forgotten Harvest Holiday Dinner, exclusively Presented by the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

An army of over 100 volunteers from the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and the General Motors Foundation served a hearty meal with all the fix'ns in the Renaissance Ballroom, joined by ESPN sports analyst and former University of Michigan "Fab Five" and NBA basketball player Jalen Rose; WWJ-AM/CBS Radio reporter Vickie Thomas and Vivian Pickard, president of the General Motors Foundation and director, Corporate Relations for General Motors. Volunteers also helped create a festive holiday atmosphere through family-friendly gifts and activities, including a special visit from Santa and his elves.

Forgotten Harvest partner agencies participating in the Good Neighbor Feast included Ravendale Community Center, the Salvation Army, Matrix Human Services, New Breed Church, Central Detroit Christian Community, Ruth Ellis Center and Wayside Missionary Baptist Church. The General Motors Foundation and Henry Ford Health System are supporters of the event.

“800,000 people in Southeastern Michigan faced hunger in their homes this year, which includes almost half of the children in the City of Detroit,” said Susan Goodell, president and CEO of Forgotten Harvest. “However, we also know the holidays are a time for hope and generosity, and the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, the General Motors Foundation and Henry Ford Health System are proving that our community is rich in those qualities."

Much of the food for the Holiday Dinner is contributed specially by local supporters of Forgotten Harvest. This year's contributions include 600 pounds of turkey presented by individuals within the community, 500 pounds of ham contributed by Honeybaked Ham, pies from Big Boy, cakes and pastries from Morning Glory Pastries, 1,500 breadsticks from Breads by Bosco and potatoes, green beans, cranberry and stuffing from U.S. Foods.

"We are pleased to partner with Forgotten Harvest again this year to provide such a festive hot meal for those in the community who need it," said Bob Farmery, Area General Manager for the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. "Our associates and the celebrity volunteers were so impacted by the gratitude and joy of all those who enjoyed their holiday feast with us last year."