Gleaners Partners With DTE Energy to Grow Veggies at Substation Sites

Second year of garden program expands; volunteers needed 


DETROIT, May 26  /PRNewswire/ -- A DTE Energy/Gleaners Community Food Bank partnership will expand to six more sites in Southeastern Michigan, bringing to eight the number of DTE Energy properties where buffer land will be used to grow fresh food for the needy.

DTE Energy and Gleaners started the program last year at substations in Auburn Hills and Plymouth Township, where more than 5,300 pounds of produce was grown with the help of volunteers from schools, community groups and religious organizations. More help will be needed this year.

"This year we're looking to greatly increase the yield," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president, Distribution Operations. "We had an incredible response to the program last year and there is even more need for our harvests than ever before. We hope that groups and individuals will respond where we've expanded."

In total, the garden program has nearly two acres devoted to the feeding the hungry. Volunteers will meet at the gardens, according to the following schedules:

  Allen Park - Jupiter Station, 15250 Goddard Road, 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays
  Auburn Hills - Carter Substation, 2542 Phillips Road, 4 to 7 p.m.
    Tuesdays
  Birmingham - Quarton Road Substation, 36823 Woodward Ave., 4 to 7 p.m.
    Mondays
  Detroit - Fayette Substation, 20201 Fayette St., 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays
  Farmington Hills - Sunset Station, 38600 W. 10 Mile Road, 4 to 7 p.m.
    Thursdays
  Plymouth Township - Baltic Substation, 50899 Powell Road, 4 to 7 p.m.
    Thursdays
  Southfield - Southfield Center, 26801 Northwestern Highway, 4 to 7 p.m.
    Tuesdays
  South Lyon - Cody Station, 58920 Nine Mile Road, 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays



"This is an opportunity for people to not only help their hungry neighbors, but to learn more about horticulture and the food cycle," said DeWayne Wells, Gleaners president. "There's lots to be done, from tilling to spreading compost, creating planting beds, planting seeds and seedlings, weeding, watering and hoeing, helping to harvest and deliver the produce, and preparing the garden for the next growing season."

To get involved with the DTE Energy Garden project, call Marc Zupmore at  [phone]. Groups and individuals should plan to bring their garden tools, although some equipment will be available. Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and drinking water also should be brought to the gardens.

Gleaners collects 28 million pounds of food annually, which it distributes for 404,000 meals each month. The agency also fills hunger gaps for nearly 7,000 children through various programs.

DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.3 million customers throughout Michigan. 

DATASOURCE: DTE Energy



CONTACT:  Marcy Hayes of C&B Scene, [phone], for DTE Energy; or

Scott Simons of DTE Energy, [phone] 



Web Site:  http://www.dteenergy.com/ 

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