You Really Can Make a Difference

November and December are the season of giving for many folks in the Ann Arbor area and beyond. Here at Zingerman’s, we see every month as an opportunity to give back to our community. We give back because we love this place and our neighbors who call it home. Plus, it’s the right thing to do. A stronger community benefits everyone involved.

In other words, our giving priorities are an extension of our belief that business is a way to do good in the world. We strive to be a dynamic force for good, and, as we put it in our statement of beliefs, we “work to make our community a better place to live by contributing time, food, money, energy, and information.”

Our community giving takes many forms, from volunteer hours to Bakehouse Magic Brownies. Over the course of the 2024-25 fiscal year, Zingerman’s businesses made 372 donations, for a total value of nearly a quarter million dollars.

Zingerman’s is able to help hundreds of organizations in some way each year, according to Melaina Bukowski, coordinator of our community giving program. “Most years, we support 300 to 400 organizations with money and in-kind donations. We can donate all kinds of things, from a gift certificate for a BAKE! class to a large cash gift,” Melaina says. 

Melaina reviews every donation request that lands on our doorstep. We receive about 1,200 of them over the course of a year, so Melaina has developed quite an efficient system for acknowledging, organizing, and evaluating them. Melaina also chooses which donation requests to grant, sometimes in collaboration with decision-makers from Zingerman’s businesses. 

Making sure an applicant has met Zingerman’s requirements for receiving a donation is the first step in evaluating a request. This involves verifying that the application is from a nonprofit or charitable organization. Afterward, Melaina determines whether the organization requesting the donation reflects Zingerman’s giving priorities. 

As Melaina explains, we prioritize a carefully chosen set of local issues when deciding how to use our community giving budget. “We focus on food scarcity, housing insecurity, and related issues such as access to health and human services for marginalized populations,” she says, noting that we support Washtenaw County nonprofits as much as possible.

Fostering food security

Most of Zingerman’s giving focuses on raising food security in Washtenaw County. We prioritize this issue for a number of reasons, one of which has to do with relationships. Our ties to hunger-fighting organizations are an important part of who we are. Deli staff founded the Washtenaw County hunger relief organization Food Gatherers back in 1988. This effort began with collecting spare ingredients from a handful of shops and restaurants, then distributing these items to kitchens that prepared meals for people who were struggling to get by. 

Today, Food Gatherers operates its own community kitchen that serves nutritious meals to people in need each day. Food Gatherers programs also distribute groceries at affordable housing communities, provide free produce and nutrition education at a number of schools, and help medical clinics launch food insecurity screenings that connect patients with partner pantries.

Each year, lots of ZCoBbers look forward to supporting Food Gatherers through the Rockin’ for the Hungry fundraiser and food drive, a five-day event that happens shortly after Thanksgiving. Melaina joins a live broadcast by 107one to spread the word and summon the spirit of giving from every corner of the community.

Melaina is also stoked to spread the word about another nonprofit working on food security: Ypsilanti’s Willow Run Acres, which transforms vacant lots into thriving garden plots. This nonprofit probably won’t come up on the Food Gatherers broadcast, but she’ll tell you all about it if you spot her at the Bakehouse or Coffee Company, which are a hop, a skip, and a jump from her office. 

Or, check out the Nonprofit Spotlight feature on the Zingerman’s Community website to bolster our giving efforts. Melaina dedicates each month to a different organization Zingerman’s supports through donations, volunteering, or both. She selected Willow Run Acres for October 2025 because their work aligns with our giving goals. “Willow Run Acres is building out a space in Ypsi right now, so that’s exciting to see,” she says. “What they’re doing goes beyond nutrition. It’s about sustainability and mutual aid, too.”

In addition to unlocking the potential of unused spaces, Willow Run Acres offers workshops to help kids, retirees, and people with disabilities discover the benefits of growing fresh produce. “They’re making gardening more accessible to all kinds of people,” Melaina says.

Supplying safe shelter

To fight hunger effectively, it’s important to address its underlying causes as well. We aim to strengthen the safety net for local people experiencing housing instability, domestic violence, and educational barriers. So often, circumstances like these prevent people from participating in the community fully and freely.

Assisting Ann Arbor’s SafeHouse Center is a shining example. This nonprofit provides free, confidential services to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. It’s a lifeboat for people who’ve been isolated from other sources of support. SafeHouse staff run a helpline and support groups, offer legal advocacy, and provide temporary shelter in emergencies. Melaina organizes opportunities for Zingerman’s employees and the broader community to support this essential work. 

“SafeHouse is such a crucial space within our community, and they do lifesaving work with people living in unsafe situations as well as people experiencing the aftermath of trauma,” Melaina says. “It’s an honor to contribute to their mission of providing safety, comfort, and a path forward in times of darkness.”

Our annual Jelly Bean Jump Up fundraiser in February, which benefits SafeHouse, is another project with Melaina’s fingerprints all over it. Organizing events with lots of moving parts is one of her superpowers. Jelly Bean Jump Up includes a silent auction, a Special Bake of Corgi Cookies at the Bakehouse, a Register Round Up campaign at Plum Market, a Mail Order warehouse shop sale, and a special fundraising dinner at the Roadhouse. There’s even been a film screening. (Melaina is a megafan of movies and other theatrical endeavors, volunteering at the Ann Arbor Film Festival when she’s not at Zingerman’s. She also served on the board of the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre for some time.) Melaina handles every detail of Jelly Bean Jump Up, from speakers to auction prizes to social media messages. 

Another aspect of the fundraiser, the Jelly Bean Jump Up Calendar, features photos of ZCoBbers’ beyond-adorable pets, while providing a friendly daily reminder about SafeHouse’s services and Zingerman’s giving opportunities. Look for it at the Deli, Roadhouse, Bakehouse, and beyond—the full purchase price is donated to SafeHouse. 

Jelly Bean Jump Up also honors the memory of a very special Corgi pup who spent 17 years with Zingerman’s co-founder Ari Weinzweig. “It’s a remarkable thing to take the grief of loss and turn it into a big, loving act to take care of other people,” Melaina says. “I’m always honored to be a part of it.”

Enriching education and community life

In many cases, Zingerman’s gives to area nonprofits with the simple goal of making our community a great place to live. Though we typically donate to organizations serving Washtenaw County, we occasionally support nonprofits that cast a wider net. This helps us broaden our impact and strengthen our ties to the greater Detroit community.

For instance, we support Give Merit, an organization that guides Detroit youth through high school, emphasizing character development and career exploration to chart an empowering course for their adult lives. This combination of thoughtful mentoring and innovative programming helps students from marginalized communities beat the odds in a variety of ways, beginning with graduating from high school. Many Give Merit students go on to college and community leadership roles, too.

Learning how to imagine and plan for the future is an important part of every Give Merit student’s path. To support this effort, we share ZingTrain’s Personal Visioning process with them. Each year, Melaina and ZingTrain’s Timo Anderson introduce a new cohort of students to this powerful personal growth tool. It’s Melaina’s favorite Zingerman’s concept to teach and share with others. 

Witnessing the students’ transformation is Melaina’s other favorite part of working with Give Merit: 

It’s been such a pleasure to watch class after class of Give Merit students grow into young adults ready to take on the world. Right now, Give Merit is building a dynamic new park and community center in northwest Detroit. It will truly reshape the neighborhood and provide a brighter future for thousands of children, families, and others in that area and beyond.

Zingerman’s lends a hand to educational organizations in Ann Arbor as well. One is Ann Arbor Academy, which is a stone’s throw from our Bakehouse, Coffee Company, and Candy Manufactory. “This incredible school works to provide an inclusive and empowering space for students with barriers to their learning, such as autism, ADHD, dysgraphia, and PTSD,” Melaina says. 

Students from Ann Arbor Academy made an inspiring Instagram video to thank Zingerman’s in 2024. Jack Gorman, a Roadhouse host who attended Ann Arbor Academy, and several other students shared what this support means to them. So did students’ parents. Alicia Witkowski, a mom and education researcher, shared that Zingerman’s helps Ann Arbor Academy provide “a space where kids can learn and a space where they feel loved and safe.” She added that seeing Zingerman’s acknowledge the importance of this work is meaningful to her as well as her students.

Ann Arbor Academy is near and dear to my own heart, too. A teacher from this school helped my family decide to move to the Ann Arbor area in our quest to support our neurodivergent child. We knew we’d be able to find a place that could truly accommodate his learning disabilities and make him feel welcome, which isn’t a given at every school.

Zingerman’s even funds programs that foster students’ learning outside of school. For instance, we give to the Ann Arbor chapter of Girls Group, which fights generational poverty with educational achievement. Melaina noted in a Nonprofit Spotlight:

For over 20 years, they’ve empowered young women to develop a college mindset, graduate from high school, and become first-generation college students. Their participants go on to build successful careers and healthy relationships, changing not only their own futures, but the futures of generations to come.

Zingerman’s donations strengthen Girls Group’s mentoring efforts, academic readiness programs, financial education initiatives, and community service projects. The Girls Group journey typically begins in middle school or high school, but it lasts through college and beyond. Girls Group’s team of mentors and other helpers becomes a lifelong support system. “They believe that with the right support, every young woman—regardless of circumstance—can realize her dreams and show the world what’s possible,” Melaina says.

Guiding our giving

Melaina admits that deciding which organizations to fund can be a complex and emotionally challenging process. Though this can feel heavy at times, it ultimately shows her just how strong she is. “In a day on the job, I might make a big decision on behalf of our organization, then zero in on spreadsheets for a couple of hours, and then spend some time being creative, like by designing a flyer,” she says.

Melaina is a natural when it comes to customer service, always finding new ways to make interactions with Zingerman’s both positive and memorable. She’s also a skilled relationship builder. Both qualities helped propel her into a supervisor position at the Bakehouse and then the Community Giving Coordinator role for the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (ZCoB), which she assumed in 2018. Melaina even draws inspiration from children’s TV pioneer Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers. As she explains:

Mr. Rogers used to tell kids to look for the helpers when they saw scary things in the news, so I’m always looking for them. There are so many helpers in the Ann Arbor area, and I feel so lucky to be able to work with them directly in my work as Community Giving Coordinator.

In addition to building metaphorical bridges between people, Melaina helps construct actual architecture that brings people together. She can often be found at construction sites for Zingerman’s build days with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley (HHHV). These events are a popular way for ZCoBbers to volunteer in the community, and we’ve sponsored several HHHV homes in Washtenaw County over the years. In fact, that’s how we marked our 40th anniversary in 2022! 

Melaina says build days are memorable ways to strengthen ties to teammates while building homes for families who need them. “Each one is a really fun day of home construction that’s adapted to all skill levels, and each of our volunteers can bring along a friend or family member,” she explains.

Working with HHHV also guided Melaina toward Zingerman’s Community Giving Coordinator role. When Melaina started working at Zingerman’s Bakehouse in 2013, she had no idea that she’d oversee charitable giving efforts for the entire ZCoB a few years in the future. She was content focusing on the present. A people person through and through, Melaina took the job because she was drawn to connecting with customers. Being surrounded by the scents of an artisan bakery was the icing on the cake, as well as the Eclairs, the Hot Cross Buns, and … you get the idea.

While working at the Bakehouse, Melaina and the person in charge of the ZCoB’s volunteering initiatives joined forces to lead a workgroup. With its focus on volunteering and nonprofits, the group quickly became Melaina’s favorite part of her Zingerman’s experience. “When I learned what my co-chair did for a job, I thought, ‘It is so cool that this job exists.’ The possibility of doing that job at some point, that didn’t cross my mind,” Melaina says. 

Melaina immersed herself in the workgroup whenever she could, learning by doing and honing her servant leadership skills. When the Community Giving Coordinator role opened up, things changed. Melaina was handling the logistics of a major HHHV sponsorship and several build days. It was a challenging time to apply for her dream job, but she was determined to give it a shot after having a lightbulb moment. “I realized that even though my official title had to do with the Bakehouse, the community giving work I’d been doing through the workgroup had prepared me really well for the job I was trying to get,” she says.

Making a difference, day and night

Melaina is the kind of person whose caring presence lights up a room. She also knows how to make a big impact with even the smallest donation. 

Some cash gifts are donations to specific programs an organization runs, while others may be sponsorships of an important event such as a fundraising gala. Melaina attends many of these events to show support for organizations Zingerman’s is sponsoring and learn about the latest needs they’re facing. 

Occasionally, fundraisers are a chance for Melaina to see the face of a nonprofit contact she’s been emailing with for months. There may be more of a family reunion vibe when she’s meeting up with nonprofit teams she’s known for a long time. Fundraisers are also an excellent place to connect with other donors and network with fellow giving and fundraising professionals. As Melaina explains:

When it’s fundraiser season, I work all day and network all night. Well, I might go to a fundraiser two or three nights a week. It can be exhausting, but it’s also really fun. As I told my dad when he asked about work the other day, I can be tired and excited!

Every day on the job–and night at a fundraiser–is different, but forging connections with others is the common denominator. As Melaina explains:

I’m a very extroverted person, so I like to be out in the world and hang out with people from the nonprofits we support. I pay attention to the news as much as I can tolerate, but I think it’s most important to hear from the helpers. I’m always trying to find out what they’re struggling with, what sorts of changes they’re dealing with, and when important events are coming up for them.

When a nonprofit’s resources get cut, Melaina asks herself how Zingerman’s might help bridge the gap. When new challenges emerge, she asks herself what kind of help might be needed the most. It’s all about making a difference and building a more resilient community. And as Melaina knows, strong relationships are the heart of strong communities.

How you can help

There are all kinds of ways to join Zingerman’s community giving movement. You can attend super-fun fundraisers such as the Jelly Bean Jump Up dinner, drop cash in donation buckets at our businesses, or tell a nonprofit you love about our donation request form. You can give our pet calendars as gifts during the holidays. Or, simply spread the word about events such as Rockin’ for the Hungry.

Also consider donating directly to the organizations we support. Each of our Nonprofit Spotlights includes a link to the highlighted organization’s giving page. As you learn the stories of our nonprofit partners, you may want to donate some of your time to them, too. To that, we say do it! In addition to making our community even better, you might build a new-to-you skill or kindle a new friendship. You’ll also have Mr. Rogers’s blessing.

Take it from Melaina: Being a giver is totally worth it. “I feel so tickled that I get to be a part of this work. Seeing the ripple effect is also incredible. When givers work together, they can do some really cool things,” she says.

Community helper checklist

• Follow the Nonprofit Spotlight: zingermanscommunity.com/nonprofit-spotlight
• Check out the donation request form: zingermanscommunity.com/about-us/community-giving
• Buy a Jelly Bean Jump Up calendar: Available at Zingerman’s businesses starting in December