Everyday thousands of our fellow citizens look for the distinctive red and white Salvation Army Bed and Bread trucks that traverse through the various neighborhoods. These are people who through no fault of their own have become disenfranchised. Imagine if you can being hungry and homeless. It’s a heartbreaking thought but unfortunately for many in our community it’s a way of life.

Fortunately, the Bed and Bread trucks of The Salvation Army have become the lifeblood for these underprivileged. Each day The Salvation Army Bed and Bread trucks serve nearly 5,000 meals a day on the streets of Detroit. In some cases, the cup of soup, a sandwich, and perhaps a cookie is the only sustenance some of our fellow citizens will receive for the entire day. And no matter the weather, the trucks of The Salvation Army are there to provide what in some cases has become a life saving meal.

Many of us in the area have never seen the trucks and that is a good sign. It means that we are in the warm confines of our home, are gainfully employed, and have never experienced the trauma of life on the street. Not seeing The Salvation Army Trucks means that our lives have not been impacted by the strains of unemployment or some tragedy not of our making. As such, I think it is incumbent upon us to assist those people who look for and see the Bed and Bread trucks everyday!

And believe it or not there are in fact people who have had the trucks in their lives and as a result of the assistance from The Salvation Army are now back on their feet and are in fact contributing to the Bed and Bread campaign.

How can we be a part of this tremendous movement? On Friday February 27th beginning at 6:00AM live from the Oakland Mall until 10:00PM Dick Purtan of Oldies 104.3 WOMC will be hosting the 22nd annual Dick Purtan Radiothon to raise money for the Bed and Bread Club. Besides the thousands who are served by the trucks, The Salvation Army also serves more than 7,800 meals every day at its various shelters in the area. To support this very worthwhile endeavor you can be a member of The Bed and Bread Club by contributing just $10 a month, which feeds one person in Detroit for one year. Or for $20 per month two people are fed and for that $240 donation you will receive a commemorative collectible of Harrison the cartoon Bed and Bread truck with Dick Purtan as the driver. Of course no donation will be refused and all are certainly welcomed.

Dick Purtan has been conducting this Radiothon for over 20 years and because of his commitment and the generosity of the community, over $19 million has been raised for the Bed And Bread Club. And keep in mind that every donation is tax deductible. With a special tax program established by the state of Michigan and coupled with one’s IRS itemized charitable deductions, jointly filed returns donating $400 to the Bed and Bread Club will result in a net cost of $88. Those of you currently preparing your taxes and looking at your charitable deductions will certainly appreciate this type of deduction next year!

So if you have never seen the Bed and Bread trucks consider yourself one of the lucky ones. But we need the trucks to keep running for those less fortunate. Won’t you somehow find it in your heart to contribute to The Bed and Bread Club? Just call (248) 307-1043 and make your donation so that those who rely on the trucks will continue to see them everyday. And if you happen to pass one of the trucks on the road, give a wave knowing that your contribution is helping to allay starvation for many of our citizens. I’ll be doing my part won’t you join in too!

Bill Kalmar
Former Director of the Michigan Quality Council
2897 Orbit Drive
Lake Orion MI 48360
248-393-2633