Neighbors and civic leaders will gather this spring for Harvesting Hope 2025, an annual benefit whose proceeds support Lakeshore Food Club’s efforts to make nutritious food available with dignity. The evening promises artisan bowls crafted by local potters, exclusive House & Harbor candles, and interactive giving experiences designed to pair fundraisers with direct program impact — from subsidized groceries to home-delivery services for homebound residents.

“Mere charity is not enough,” said Maya Thompson, executive director of Lakeshore Food Club. “Harvesting Hope is about building systems that respect choice and cultural preferences, and about investing in the services that keep families healthy and stable.” Thompson said the gala aims to raise funds to expand the organization’s pay-what-you-can markets, cooking and nutrition education, and targeted outreach to older adults and families with young children.

Public health experts say those investments matter beyond the dinner table. “Food insecurity is a social determinant of health that increases risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and exacerbates stress and mental-health challenges,” said Dr. Elena Ruiz, director of community health at a regional clinic. “Community-driven models that prioritize dignity can improve nutrition and reduce downstream medical costs.”

Organizers have structured the evening to encourage multiple levels of participation: single tickets for individuals, a reserved “Gathering of Friends” table for groups, and sponsorship packages for businesses seeking visible support for local social services. Interactive elements — including live auctions of handcrafted bowls and donor-directed funding stations — are intended to make the connection between contributions and programs immediate and transparent.

Interlochen Public Radio, which listed the gala in its community events calendar, has partnered with Lakeshore Food Club to amplify outreach and tell beneficiary stories. “Public media can help build awareness and sustain the conversation about hunger, equity and policy,” said station community liaison Jordan Reeves. “This event is one moment in a longer campaign to change how our region addresses food access.”

Attendees and donors say the evening’s focus on dignity resonates. Andre Lewis, who relies on the club’s delivery program, described the difference between receiving prepackaged charity and choosing his own fresh produce. “Picking my own food made me feel like a person again,” Lewis said. “It’s not just about eating; it’s about being seen.”

Despite community goodwill, stakeholders emphasize that philanthropy alone cannot erase structural drivers of food insecurity. Local advocates point to gaps in affordable housing, transportation, and chronic underfunding of social-safety-net programs as barriers that require policy-level responses. “Events like Harvesting Hope are vital, but we also need sustained public investment and cross-sector coordination to make access universal,” Thompson said.

Tickets and sponsorship details are available through Lakeshore Food Club’s website and partner listings on Interlochen Public Radio. Organizers hope the gala will not only replenish program funds but also strengthen ties among residents, health providers and policymakers who together shape the region’s response to hunger and health inequities.