Michigan 'Stache Support

The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused unforeseen burdens across the country. As healthcare providers, us organizers are privileged with the responsibility of caring for our patients and helping stray off disease during these trying times. While we make our best efforts in the hospitals across Southeast Michigan, we realize that there are plenty of issues outside of the hospital that deserve addressing. 

Our focus for this fundraiser is the food shortages that are affecting so many across Southeast Michigan as a result of COVID-19. Us organizers have all grown up and/or attended medical school in the region, and these communities are dear to our hearts. We realize that if our patients and communities do not have safe and reliable access to food, then our job is not truly finished - even if the hospital discharge papers have been signed. Therefore, we are creating this platform to serve as an easy way for individuals to make donations towards our cause.

Every single cent received during this fundraiser will be donated to five food banks across Southeast Michigan, as well as the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund. 25% of donations will go towards the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund. The remaining 75% of donations will be split evenly between the following food banks:

Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park
Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan in Detroit
Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor
Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint
Greater Lansing Food Bank in Lansing

Sounds great, right?! So then, why the mustaches? The organizers of this fundraiser all wanted to proudly show their support of our cause. We decided upon mustaches ('staches) because they are fun, and they don't break the airtight seal on our respirator masks that we wear most of the day in our respective hospitals, as we battle COVID-19. Our hope is that others decide to dawn 'staches alongside us to help bring awareness to the food shortages across the State, and to help promote donations to our cause. To be clear, we support any and ALL mustaches - that includes real mustaches, fake mustaches, milk mustaches, snapchat filter mustaches, etc. If it fits between your nose and your upper lip, it counts. To help share the efforts of our supporters, we have created an Instagram page to feature all of your 'staches, and we hope you submit pictures of them! We hope to make mustaches and Michigan 'Stache Support a common theme throughout the Southeast Michigan healthcare systems and communities.

More than anything, our goal is to raise awareness and to help provide a easy way for individuals to donate in these times of need. That being said, do not feel pressured to donate through our platform. If you would prefer donate directly to the aforementioned organizations, their websites are listed below for your convenience. Additionally, there are many worthy organizations out there in need of assistance - these just happen to be the ones we picked to focus on. Whether through us or through other platforms, we are proud of any aid you can provide - although we truly hope you do it with a mustache! Together, we can combat the COVID-19 Pandemic and the tragedies it has caused.

Please submit questions, concerns, and 'stache pics to either the email or Instagram Account below.

Email Contact: [email redacted] 
Instagram: @Michigan_Stache_Support

Food Banks:
Forgotten Harvest, Oak Park - www.forgottenharvest.org 
Gleaners Community, Detroit - www.gcfb.org 
Food Gatherers, Ann Arbor - www.foodgatherers.org 
Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Flint - www.fbem.org 
Greater Lansing Food Bank - www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org 

Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund:
https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/take-action/covid-19-response 

Locate and Donate Directly to Your Local Meals on Wheels:  https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals 

Find Your Local Food Bank:
https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank 

Thank you for your support! Stay safe!