Detroit, Mich. – The holidays are arriving early this year for an estimated 5,000 Detroit families, as they receive free food, personal care items and toys in a relief effort called the “Miracle in Motown”. Many Michigan residents are facing tough economic times right now with the automotive industry crisis. This food distribution is the last of three nationwide food distributions that are also being held in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the international hunger relief agency Feed The Children, Great Redeemer Christian Church and The Bing Group will host the event that will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 18 at The Bing Group, located at 11500 Oakland Avenue in Detroit.
Families will gather throughout the day to collect packages of food and supplies. All program beneficiaries have been chosen in advance based on need. In total, more than 10 Feed The Children semi-tractor trailer trucks will deliver food, personal care items, household items, gifts and toys. Each family receives enough food to supplement meals for a family of four for a week.
Avon Products, Inc. employees will also be in attendance distributing gift bags filled with Avon products and gift items to recipient families. Avon Products, Inc. has been a long time partner of Feed The Children, and it’s employees from their Pasadena location have worked diligently since October in preparing these gift bags to provide each recipient family with a few extras for the holidays.
A press conference to formally announce the event and discuss the far-reaching impact of this sixth annual program, sponsored by the NBPA, will begin at 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Bing Group event location.
One-on-one interview opportunities are available with all the press conference participants.
▪ Billy Hunter, Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association
▪ Larry Jones, Founder and President of Feed The Children
▪ Elder Ronald E. White, Founder and Pastor of Great Redeemer Christian Church
▪ Dave Bing, Founder of the Bing Group and NBA All Star Hall of Famer
▪ NBA Players from the Detroit Pistons
"This amazing event will help thousands of people in need, and we hope provide a model example of how public-private partnership can make a difference in our communities,”
Products for the event are being provided by Colomer, Kao Brand, AVON Products, Inc., Clorox, Georgia Pacific,
Potlatch, Pilgrims Pride, Allen Canning, Dole, Bremner, Mars/Master Foods, Hirzel, Frito Lay, Niagara, Pepsi, Coca-
Cola, Jakks Pacific, and James Fund.
About Feed The Children
Founded in 1979 by Larry and Frances Jones, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the 10 largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Feed The Children is a Christian, international, nonprofit relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disasters. Since its founding, the organization has reached out to help those in need in the US and in 118 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit www.feedthechildren.org.
About The National Basketball Players Association
The National Basketball Players Association is a unique labor institution. As the recognized labor union for all NBA Players, the NBPA has fought to promote the best interests of NBA players both on and off the court for over 40 years. Whether we are negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, prosecuting a grievance on a player’s behalf, or counseling a player on benefits or educational opportunities, our mission remains the same – To ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected, and that everything possible is being done to help players maximize their opportunities and achieve their goals on and off the court. NBA players have not always enjoyed the privileges and protections that exist today. Before our union was created, players had to struggle for many of the privileges we take for granted today, like fair salaries and necessary benefits, such as a pension and health insurance. Whatever services players require during their career, the NBPA will be there to advance their cause. We aggressively protect player rights and interests, and are available to address player concerns seven days a week, 365 days a year. The NBPA is committed to the development and protection of every NBA Player both on and off the court. As the union for some of the highest paid athletes in the world, we urge our players not only to learn more about our multi-billion dollar business, but to give back to the community whenever possible.
About The Bing Group
The Bing Group, formed in 1980 by Dave Bing, a prominent Detroit area entrepreneur and NBA All Star Hall of Famer, is a diversified base of manufacturing companies that provides superior products to our customers in the automotive, appliance and office furniture industries through vertical integration.
We have an outstanding reputation for providing our customers with exceptional quality and outstanding value. Our versatility allows us to accommodate the ever-changing customer demands of various industries with optimum efficiency and minimum costs.
Our full-service business units provide extensive capabilities to our customers in the areas of steel processing, metal forming, and interior and exterior systems. All of the Bing Group companies are ISO 9000 and ISO/TS 16949 certified.
The Bing Group is a certified Detroit-based minority business enterprise dedicated to uplifting our community. We are strongly committed to providing employment opportunities to area residents and ongoing support of efforts that improve the overall quality of life in the city of Detroit.
