Grosse Pointe Woman Drawing Attention, Education to Hunger

The 20th Annual Women's Power Breakfast is Wednesday at Eastern Market. This year Grosse Pointer Joan Geherke is one of the many behind-the-scenes event planners helping organize the breakfast intended to draw attention to hunger.

The organization teams up with Gleaners Community Food Bank by raising funds to donate to the organization with a specific focus on helping the school program in which nutrious snacks and meals are provided to students while at school.

This year's goal is to raise funds for 2 million meals for hungry children.

There is more hunger hunger in the metropolitan area than most people probably realize, Geherke said. "(It's) one of the issues a lot of people never see," she said.

"I think it's really important. The more exposure (to hunger), the more they talk about it to others," she said, noting a big part of the breakfast is helping spread the word.

The venue was changed this year to Eastern Market's shed number 3, which Geherke said will allow for a larger turnout. She is hoping as a result more people will attend.

Geherke is on this year's planning committee and is a mentor in the program's first PowerUp program in which students from Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School. The program focuses on leadership development and emphasizes community service, Geherke said.

"It's about the ability to make a different through volunteering," Geherke said.

Tickets are $120 to $1000 depending on the level of sponsorship. To purchase tickets call 886-453-GLEANER (2637) ext. 243 or email shohendorf@gcfb.org. Tickets can also be purchased online.