Gloria Martinson

Gloria Martinson (born May 27, 1929, in the United States) is an American philanthropist, the founder of Gleaners in Jackson, Mississippi^[1][2] (not to be confused with the Gleaners food bank in Indiana, a non-profit organization which helps feed the homeless).

Biography

Personal life

Gloria Lorraine Martinson is the widow of the late Mike Martinson, founder and CEO of the Dobbs Maynard Advertising Agency, who was often referred to as "The King Maker" due to his strong political influence and clout. The Martinson's parents migrated to the US through Ellis Island from Oslo, Norway. Her sister-in-law is State Representative Rita Martinson (Madison, Mississippi) and her brother-in-law, Billy Martinson, is the founder of Green Oak Nursery in Jackson, Mississippi. She is the grandmother of the television actress Lauren Jones.

Martinson is a notable philanthropist, having given her time and money to creating the 100% non-profit organization, Gleaners, of Jackson, Mississippi.

Martinson is often called "An Ageless Hero" for her dedicated service to her state and her community in Mississippi.

Awards

In 2001, Martinson was honored with the title of "2001 Mississippi Ageless Hero Award" by the American politician, Ronnie Musgrove.^[3]

Gleaners

Martinson started Gleaners from her kitchen in 1986.^[4] In each year, the amount of food collected and distributed has increased; in 2006 food intake and outgo exceeded one million pounds. The cost per pound of food collected and distributed has remained at about six cents per pound, compared to a market value of $1.50 per pound or more than $1.5 million for all of the food distributed.

References

1. Location of Gleaners on Google Maps
2. Howard Ballou, "The Gleaners Making A Difference" MS News, February 4, 2007
3. Letter from Musgrove to Martinson, January 31, 2001
4. Fabvienen Taylor, "The Gleaners keeps food moving", Mississippi Catholic, July 25, 2008