Passion is the word we use often, now its time to put our money where out mouth is. We are excited to have partnered with Mitch Albom to help out Haiti. Check out this great video and learn how you can be involved.
(Traverse City, MI) – Grand Traverse Pie Company is committed to finding ways to partner with their communities to help those in need. GTPC is calling the year ‘round effort ‘Lend A Hand’. Each of the 18 Grand Traverse Pie Company locations, over the course of the entire year, will deliver help to a diverse group of folks in need within their own Pie Shop communities and beyond.
The first program brought GTPC’s famous pies forward to ‘Lend A Hand’ within each ‘Pie Community’. Proceeds from each slice of pie sold on Saturdays during the month of February went to help local food banks. The company sold over 13,000 slices of pie, and combined with the generous donations of loyal guests, the Grand Traverse Pie Company family generated over $5,000 to assist the hungry. “We are very pleased with the response and support of our guests, it makes us all feel as though we truly are working together to help those in need. We are looking forward to expanding these efforts through the year,” stated GTPC Founder Mike Busley.
Within days of a successful food bank program, the team at GTPC began helping Haiti with its ‘Lend A Hand’ effort. By partnering with author and personality Mitch Albom, GTPC is helping to rebuild an orphanage in Haiti. Albom recently traveled to Haiti, where he visited an orphanage run by a former Detroit native. The orphanage was completely destroyed in the earthquake - the 70 children have no shelter, showers, or toilet facilities. Albom plans on returning to Haiti in April with the funds to repair the facility. His goal is to raise $70,000.
In support of the Caring and Sharing Mission, each of the 18 GT PC locations will donate $1.00 from each of its popular Sugar Cookies sold from March 10th through 31st March. GTPC has set the goal of selling 10,000 during this time period, resulting in a significant donation to help Mitch in reaching his goal. Mitch recently noted, “What Grand Traverse Pie is doing shows how much it cares for the needy – even many miles away. Before the quake, these kids lived for a month on what we throw out, in just one day. Now it is so much worse. They lack basic facilities, yet have a spirit and hope in the future that is undimmed. Our goal is to help this one place, 70 kids, and let people here at home feel a connection and the difference that caring and sharing can make.”
In addition to the funds generated with its Sugar Cookie promotion, GTPC will provide snacks and goodies for Mitch to take to the children when he returns. GTPC will send 500 of its popular Sugar Cookies, and the GTPC team will package up 500 portions of healthy and tasty Michigan dried fruit, graciously donated by their Michigan Fruit Partners – The Cherry Marketing Institute, Smeltzer Orchard Company, Michigan Apple Committee, and the Michigan Blueberry Council. As GTPC Co-Founder Denise Busley stated, “It warms my heart to know that our vision of a pie company, born 14 years ago, is now able to help these children in such need and so far away”.
Everyone can make a difference – with just one cookie at a time. Visit any one of the eighteen GPTC locations and make a difference! Additional Donations can also be made at each GTPC location throughout the month of March.
What better way to celebrate Michigan’s agriculture and tourism than pie made with Apples, Cherries, and Blueberries all from our wonderful state? This is exactly what Mike, Denise, Kellee and Bobby Busley thought when they were invited to the Capitol Building in Lansing to serve pie to our Michigan Senators.
“Our Great Lake State has natural resources and commodities to be extremely proud of, so many unmatched by any others worldwide,” states Mike. As a company, we are very focused on promoting the bounty of Michigan, making nearly 95% of purchases from Michigan companies; Michigan fruit (cherries, apples, blueberries, peaches, and strawberries), sugar, and flour all come from our State’s growers and processors.
Denise talks about how Lend an Hand can change your outlook on community and helping others. Enjoy!
The story behind the brand and passion of Grand Traverse Pie Co.
| Location | Lend a Hand Food Bank Contribution |
| Traverse City | Good Will Inn |
| Brighton | Gleaners |
| Okemos | MSU Student Food Bank |
| Burton | North End Soup Kitchen |
| Norton Shores | Muskegon Rescue Mission |
| Sterling Heights | Gleaners |
| Petoskey | Brother Dan’s Food Pantry |
| Ann Arbor | Food Gatherers |
| Mt. Pleasant | Fish bowl only |
| Grand Rapids | Family Network in Grand Rapids |
| E. Lansing | MSU Student Food Bank |
| Troy | Gleaners |
| Plymouth | Forgotten Harvest |
| Midland | Midland Co. Emergency Food Pantry |
Make sure to put the National Cherry Festival is on your calendar. July 3- July 10th, We will be there with guess what?
Cherry Pies!
Follow us on Twitter and you'll never miss out on the latest specials, events, trivia, and contests from the Grand Traverse Pie Co.
Follow the Pie Co.
The buzz about the GT Pie Co. has spread to Facebook, where you can follow our special events or possibly win a free pie! 
