Women's Power Breakfast, benefiting Gleaners Community Food Bank

May 3, 2022

Good morning, and thank you for this special
opportunity to talk about the collective power of
women in philanthropy at this….the Women’s Power
Breakfast, an annual event that’s been held since
1994.
While this morning, some of us are in person and
some of us are meeting virtually, I think all of us feel a
special and close bond to each other and a deep
connection to the mission of Gleaners Community
Food Bank.
The work of Gleaners, its partners and the many
volunteers is inspiring….
- Each of us knows, when you have a relationship
  with Gleaners, you are privileged to act in a
  deliberate and purposeful way to improve the
  living conditions for people in southeastern
  Michigan, and beyond.
When considering this group of women who are
gathering today, I am in such awe of your enormous
passion, dedication and commitment to making a
difference in the lives of others, regardless of where
you have come from and the work that you do.
The range of the women gathered here is incredibly
impressive.
Each of you has had an important impact in your
respective professional fields and in your personal
lives.
But all of us have much more in common than our
individual achievements.
We share a passion for caring about the “common
good” and we share a belief that we have a
responsibility for each other…and that we can and
must make a difference in the world around us.

My own mother grew up in extreme starvation and
barely had enough food to survive her childhood.
- And, it has caused me to wonder…..what is the
  difference between those people who have more
  than enough to eat —— each and every day —-
  and those who do not.
Have you ever really thought about what differentiates
you from someone who really needs your help?
- Were you born to the “right” parents and was that
  other person born to the ‘wrong’ parents?
- Were you born in the “right” country and that
  person born in the “wrong” country?
- Were you born speaking English and that person
  born speaking another language?
- Were you born with a light skin color or dark skin
  color?
- Were you born with “good health” and that person
  was born with “poor health” or a disability?
- Was your family generous and kind and was that
  person born into an someone abusive family?
What are the underlying causes that contribute to
hunger, poverty, and disease in America and around
the world?
We often claim that the causes include a lack of
education, economic disparities, dislocation from
homelands, wars and other violent conditions,
including catastrophic natural disasters and
environmental injustice.
But, at the end of the day, any one of us – our parents
or our children – could have been hungry or
homeless…
- ….and, although it might seem hard to imagine,
  the distance between YOU and THEM is a very
  short one.
- For me, it is one generation.
- Were it not for the generosity of starving
  neighbors who shared the little food they had with
  my widowed grandmother and her four little
  children (one of whom was my mother), I would
  not be here today.
Gene Gonya, who co-founded Gleaners in 1977,
which, at the time was one of the first food banks in
America, made it his life’s mission to feed the hungry.
What began with Gleaner’s plan to solicit, store and
distribute food has become a blueprint that has been
followed across the country.
The people of Gleaners believe that the problem of
hunger in America can be solved. The basic principle
behind Gleaner’s is faith in the “possible” and a
commitment to humanity. It’s a faith rooted in making a
difference. And, they have developed an incredibly
efficient and effective method to run a food bank.
The principles of Gleaner’s reflect a faith in the
possible, and a commitment to humanity. It’s a faith
rooted in making a difference.
The Gleaners principles include:
- A belief that people are worth investing in…
- A belief that “child” and “hunger” are two words
  that should never go together…

- A belief that everyone benefits from a hunger-free
  community…
- A belief that real change takes courage…
- A belief that complex problems take collaborative
  solutions…
- A belief in the dignity of every person in the
  community…
While these beliefs reflect a faith in the possible and a
commitment to humanity, we must be realistic – the
status quo is not acceptable.
- Too many people DO go hungry…
- Too many people in need ARE ignored…
- Too often we do not take the time to FOCUS on
  improving our communities…
But working together, we can DO something about
hunger, homelessness and poverty.
More money must flow to those organizations on the
frontlines of making sure people are fed, and do not go
hungry.
While addressing these underlying causes can be
complex, there is another path to deal directly with the
injustice of poverty and hunger in the communities
around us.
And that is simply by making “feeding the hungry” a
priority….just like it is the priority at Gleaners.
We must realize that our leadership, actions, words
and philanthropy can inspire people to give whatever
they can to benefit those who are hungry, and who,
often, are unaware of when their next meal may come.
We don’t have to look far for our inspiration.

< P A U S E >
You are my inspiration.
Our leadership is needed so we can raise awareness
and money to support nonprofit organizations that are
working tirelessly to address the myriad needs of
those in need…..
…organizations like Gleaners, which has built the
model of collaboration connecting with more than
550 partners in feeding families in Detroit and the
surrounding area.

< P A U S E >
Imagine what will be accomplished when we act
collectively in our philanthropic efforts.
Around the world, women philanthropists are leading
in big and bold ways.
The headlines focus on extraordinary contributions of
philanthropists like Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey,
Mackenzie Scott, and Laurene Powell Jobs.
Great wealth certainly makes a big impact.
But the beginning of becoming a philanthropist who is
determined to make a difference comes with imagining
a more just world.
And, it doesn’t start with those who have GREAT
wealth….it starts with YOU!
Those of us who are engaged in philanthropic causes
and campaigns know that effective philanthropy is not
what you give but the way in which you give.
Each of us must be a catalyst and influencer.
There is wisdom in the simple, often-repeated phrase:
- Be the change you want to see in the world.
Your philanthropy is an investment that will give you
joy by knowing the difference you make in the world.
When you find your joy in philanthropy, an amazing
thing happens: You discover that it deepens your
soul…. and your humanity.

< P A U S E >

Today’s Gleaner’s Women’s Power Breakfast….
comes with a challenge that may not be so subtle.
If each of us is indeed a woman with power, then the
question is: What are we going to do with ALL THAT
POWER?
- If you believe people are worth investing in…
- If you believe change takes courage…
- If you believe complex problems take
  collaborative solutions…
- …and if you believe in the dignity of every person
  in the community…then the answer is obvious.
Your philanthropy is an extension of your values….
And the best measure of your power and our collective
power is what you do with it!
I challenge each and every one of you to use your
power to make someone else’s world better. When
you do, your world will be better too!
Thank you.