A group of volunteers gathered September 15 to pick crops at the DTE Energy garden in Farmington Hills. Their 371-pound harvest was delivered to area food banks that evening. The DTE Energy Gardens Project, a joint venture between DTE Energy & Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, is supervised by TBE member Marc Zupmore.

"It all started because Gleaners was looking for fresh produce and DTE had vacant acreage," said Zupmore. "In 2010, 44,000 pounds of produce was harvested and that yield is expected to grow this year."

Volunteers from the Temple Beth El Brotherhood and the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit cooperated on the project. "Rev. Sharon Watton and I thought our two faith communities should join together and feed the hungry," said Larry Imerman. "We split the produce between Gleaners, the church’s food pantry and Yad Ezra. Also, the activity was a natural extension of Brotherhood’s many years of volunteering at the church’s holiday feast for the needy."

"You’re doing a mitzvah by feeding the hungry in both faith traditions. With one in 10 persons unemployed, the harvest is much needed, said Imerman. "The need is huge," Zupmore added, stating fresh produce is often costly and hard to come by for the poor. Nutritionist, Gail Posner, said "fresh produce in a home may encourage healthy eating for children." She added that when children see their family eating it, they’re likely to give it a try, a sentiment echoed by volunteer, Audrey Zupmore.