Here at Midwest Food Bank, we can't say enough about the many volunteers that walk through our door. They not only do essential tasks but their attitudes and spirit are beyond measure. Jeff Davis is one of those volunteers. We were humbled recently to learn he shared his thoughts about MFB in a letter to the editor, Indianapolis Star. Here is...
MFB Indiana recently expanded into a second warehouse (story here). This new space has allowed us to host larger groups. Recently, we had the blessing of being able to fill Disaster Relief boxes to be distributed through our partnership with The Salvation Army. In October, over 1,200 Family Food Boxes were filled by a variety of volunteer groups. T...
As we near the end of 2020 it's hard to know what holidays will look like this year. The large family gatherings or church traditions may be different but one thing stays the same - the desire to bring meaning to Christmas by helping those around us. We thought it would be helpful to provide some ideas (links below) on how to give and experience ho...
The term "food desert" is becoming more common but if you don't live in a food desert, it's hard to know what that means. A food desert is a geographical area with little to no access to healthy, affordable, nutritious food. People that live in these areas might have a corner convenience store or gas station that carries milk or limited produ...
Midwest Food Bank, hosted Brandon Lipps and Tim English, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in late October. Brandon is the Deputy Under Secretary for the USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, and Tim is the Midwest Regional Administrator. Mr. Lipps reached out and requested a tour of the MFB location in Normal, Illinois after reviewing ...
A simple internet search, a love for fashion, and a desire to help people around the world - that's how Meri Barnes, CEO and founder of California based The Shop Forward, connected with Midwest Food Bank. The apparel company supports a variety of causes including disaster relief. The recent derecho in Iowa and hurricanes in the southeast...
Midwest Food Bank congratulates the World Food Programme for receiving the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. We are thankful for the efforts of the WFP and fully agree that their impact is worthy of this world-class recognition. WFP is a leading humanitarian organization and addresses hunger and promotes food security worldwide. In 2019, WFP provided assista...
Today, October 16, is World Food Day. It's an internationally recognized day in honor of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. It's celebrated by organizations concerned with food insecurity. World Food Day meshes well with of mission of alleviating hunger. This year's theme, "Grow, Nourish, Sustain. T...
COVID-19 created a disruption in the US food supply chain. Food producers and suppliers were unable to have food processed and transported. The USDA created the Farmers to Families Food Program to support US farmers and distributors and get that food to people that need it. The program has been authorized through the end of 2020. Midwest Food Bank ...
Midwest Food Bank Indiana is thankful to introduce new employee, Matt McKaig. Beginning September 28, Matt joined the MFB team as Operations Manager. Matt grew up on a dairy farm in northern Indiana where he learned the value of hard work. Matt brings 14 years of warehousing and transportation experience to Midwest Food Bank. Working most...
Midwest Food Bank is able to alleviate hunger for those in need due to the generous support received in the form of food donations, volunteer hours and dollar contributions. These are the key inputs to the MFB Business Model. Some of our donors have given non-cash items to MFB. These include cars, stocks, real estate, collectibles, grain...
Every industry has a "language" and food banks are no different. At Midwest Food Bank we use words like "hunger" and "food insecurity" on a regular basis. But, what do those words really mean? Hunger – This is a physical condition that is caused by a lack of food. Food Insecurity – The USDA defines this as the "lack of consistent access to enough f...
When visitors come to Midwest Food Bank for the first time they are often surprised by the size of our warehouses and the amount of food on our shelves. They aren't expecting forklifts, pallets, and semi-trucks. That's when the conversation turns to the difference between a food bank and a food pantry. Food banks – Midwest Food Bank, like other foo...
A box of cereal and a smile left a lasting impression on a 7-year-old boy in New York. Fast forward to 2020 and that boy is now a man in his early 40s and Jason Serrano can recount that event with clarity. "I know that smile was because she was doing God's work," Jason says about how the woman from a church down the street came to his ho...
Midwest Food Bank will open a new location in the Hershey, Pennsylvania, area, MFB President and CEO David Kieser announced today. Jason and Aleta Serrano of New York are leading a team of organizers to expand MFB's impact. They are currently seeking a facility to lease for the new division. "In Pennsylvania, 1 in 8 households are food insecure, an...
Midwest Food Bank has been shipping Disaster Relief all over the US since March (stories here and here). Family food boxes have have been helping people affected by business closures and layoffs. Volunteers have been assembling, filling, and driving food boxes every week. The Tender Mercies packing machine has been running non-stop, setting new pro...
With a bit of creativity, the third annual Kind Harvest fundraising event will be remembered for years to come. Due to COVID-19, our shared table event was virtual this year. "The need has grown, so must the Harvest," was the theme for he night. Fanchon Stinger of Fox59 gave everyone a warm welcome. Participants enjoyed a hand-crafted ch...
The COVID crisis has created an increase in amount of food needed by our partner agencies. MFB Indiana has been able to provide this additional food with the help of generous donors and dedicated volunteers. This additional distribution has taxed our already tight operation. After learning of our need for space, long-time Midwest Food Bank supporte...
Pack the Pantries 2020 provided MFB Indiana a backdrop to tell the work being done in our community. It also gives people an opportunity to participate in a combined effort to alleviate hunger. Started by Mayor Greg Ballard 10 years ago, Pack the Pantries is a great example of a community uniting for a common goal. Held on July 1, the event r...
Typically, in July and August, Midwest Food Bank is preparing for the Disaster Relief we will provide during hurricane season. 2020 has been anything but typical. Much of our effort since March has been focused on Disaster Relief. The COVID-19 crisis has placed many people in a position of food insecurity. Thanks to your support, we have been ...
