In 1986, Mary Jo Pulte gathered a group of prominent Michigan women to discuss philanthropy and the serious inequities in charitable giving to women’s programs. At that time, only 3% of philanthropic dollars supported programs specifically for women and girls in the United States. Women were underrepresented in philanthropy, uneducated in financial matters and disinclined to exercise control over assets. The 30 women Mary Jo brought together founded Michigan Women’s Foundation, the only public, statewide foundation specifically devoted to the economic self-sufficiency and personal well-being of the state's women and girls. The Foundation has granted funds and counsel to more than 500 organizations providing exceptional programs and services for women and girls.

Kids' Food Basket is a nonprofit organization attacking childhood hunger to help young people learn and live well. They began over a decade ago by serving 125 kids each school day through our Sack Supper program and now serve nearly 7,500 kids each weekday in West Michigan. Sack Suppers are evening meals that are well-rounded and nutritious -nutrition that's critical to the development of kids' brains and bodies. Bridet Clark Whitney of Kids' Food Basket joins host Laurel Hess to talk about the importance of combating childhood hunger. Interview recorded September 21st, 2017.