CRC Director Laura Seyfried Wins Award

CRC director Laura Seyfried (center, holding award) accepting the Michigan Harvest Gathering Beacon of Light Award from the Food Bank Council of Michigan. On hand with her to receive the award were CRC Board President Anita Herman (center, holding certificate), longtime volunteer Louise Harrington (on right), and Food Gatherers Manager of Community Food Programs Markell Miller (on left). Photo courtesy of Food Gatherers.

Laura Seyfried, Executive Director of the Manchester Community Resource Center, is one of seven recipients of the 2015 Beacon of Light Awards given by the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Seyfried was nominated by Food Gatherers of Washtenaw County for her outstanding leadership in providing a choice pantry offering “dignified and reliable access to food for those in need.” The CRC Food Pantry serves approximately 40 local households of all ages each month.

Presenting the award last Thursday, November 19, was Attorney General Bill Schuette who, along with his wife Cynthia, established the Food Bank Council of Michigan twenty-five years ago.

Laura joined the Community Resource Center as Executive Director in May of 2011. Since then, the food pantry has expanded its physical space to accommodate a greater variety of fresh fruits and vegetables; volunteers serving the food pantry customers have doubled in number.

Seyfried said, “I accepted this award on behalf of the many hardworking volunteers at the Community Resource Center as well as for the all the donors in the community who help us stock the shelves.”

The Community Resource Center (CRC) was formed in the 1980s when a large manufacturer in Manchester closed down, leaving many families in need. Since that time, the CRC has been addressing community needs and working to improve the quality of life for those in the Village of Manchester and the surrounding townships. 

Food Gatherers serves 150 non-profit agencies and programs throughout Washtenaw County by providing direct food assistance to low income adults, seniors and children.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.