GEORGIA
Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta Reaches One Million Meals
What started with a mission to feed hungry children on the weekends has now passed a major milestone: 1 million meals served.
Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta, a valued partner of Midwest Food Bank Georgia, provides nutritious, kid-friendly weekend meals to over 2,500 food-insecure children each week—children who often rely on school breakfasts and lunches but face hunger once the weekend begins.
Through partnerships with 50 Title 1 schools and 37 local organizations, known as “Community Buddies,” the program delivers food bags every Friday, filled with six complete meals, to bridge the weekend gap. These bags are packed and distributed with the help of a large, dedicated volunteer team.
“Every task—big or small—directly impacts a child’s well-being,” shared a staff member. “Knowing that makes the work feel purposeful every single day.”
That sense of purpose is echoed by the community. Over 2,000 volunteers contribute their time, whether by working in the warehouse, driving the delivery truck, packing bags, or serving on committees. It’s a wide-reaching, hands-on effort powered entirely by people who believe that no child should go hungry—no matter the day of the week.
The impact is deeply felt, even if the program is anonymous by design. While staff never know the names of the children served, the gratitude still finds its way back.
One mother wrote, “As a single mom with low income and no food stamp assistance, these bags help ease my grocery budget—and my daughter eats and likes the food.”
Another note from a fifth grader brought smiles all around:
“The snacks and foods are so good that me and my friend started arguing over the beef pasta. Don’t worry, we settled it!”
Midwest Food Bank plays a crucial role in keeping those bags filled. The partnership provides shelf-stable, nutritious ingredients that allow Backpack Buddies to reliably deliver meals that are balanced, kid-approved, and easy to prepare. This consistency helps the team maintain their weekly delivery goals—and plan for even greater impact.
“We’re proud to work with Midwest Food Bank,” the team said. “Their support means we can feed children not just this week but every week.”
Now, with their one millionth meal behind them, Backpack Buddies is already focused on what’s ahead: serving the next million, one weekend at a time.
PEORIA, IL
Supporting Families in Medical Crisis
Midwest Food Bank Peoria is proud to welcome Ronald McDonald House Peoria as a new agency partner in 2025.
Located in downtown Peoria next to the medical park, Ronald McDonald House provides free housing for families who travel over 20 miles for their children’s medical care. The house can accommodate up to 22 families and includes amenities like art rooms, game rooms, and playgrounds to support families during difficult times.
In a recent visit, Agency Coordinator Ben Schick and Marketing Director Melanie Tennell toured the facility. Midwest Food Bank’s support helps supply food that gives families a sense of normalcy and relief during medical challenges.
“The food from MFB provides a taste of home for families during a critical time of need,” said Rae, a team member at Ronald McDonald House.
Midwest Food Bank’s agency partners vary widely in shape and scope—churches, shelters, schools, pantries—but what they all have in common is a frontline view of community needs. With the addition of Ronald McDonald House to this network, Midwest Food Bank is better positioned to support families navigating health crises with not just food but with care.
INDIANA
How Partnership Expanded a Pantry’s Mission
Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry is quietly expanding the idea of what a food program can be.
A partner agency of Midwest Food Bank since 2016, RCCA began as a traditional food distribution site. Located in rural Indiana, the pantry has grown steadily with support from free, shelf-stable food provided by Midwest Food Bank—helping them meet consistent demand while investing in new programs and services.
What began in 2016 as a traditional food distribution site has become a hub for nutrition education, social service coordination, and long-term support—without losing sight of its core purpose: making food accessible.
One of the first big shifts? Making healthier choices easier for visitors. The pantry partnered with the local hospital to implement a color-coded system for food labeling, helping people identify nutritious items at a glance. “It’s simple, but it works,” a staff member shared. “People feel more confident about what they take home.”
The next step was giving people the tools to cook that food. Through a partnership with Purdue Extension and the Rush County Health Department, the pantry began offering a program called Cooking is Medicine. Participants track key health data while learning how to prepare affordable meals. Those who complete the course earn practical kitchen tools—removing a barrier many face at home.
One instructor remembered a woman who had never owned a real skillet. “She cooks with her kids now. That changes routines—and relationships.”
A commitment to connection matches this focus on health. The pantry coordinates Caring for Rush County, a monthly meeting of local social service providers working to simplify how residents find help. That network helped shape the design of their new building, which combines food assistance and other services into a single shared space.
The new facility not only increases pantry storage; it also reduces the steps people need to take to find the help they need—whether it’s groceries, job assistance, or health guidance.
But such growth depends on resources. The pantry credits the free food provided by Midwest Food Bank as essential to its ability to operate at this scale. “Without that support,” one team member said, “we’d have to limit what we do. Food costs are just too high.”
By covering core food needs, the partnership allows the pantry to direct funds and energy toward broader support efforts—programs that address why people need help, not just how to get it.
In rural areas where resources are often spread thin, this kind of shared effort—between a food bank, a pantry, and local institutions—offers a way forward. It’s a model built not just on charity but on trust, access, and dignity.
INDIANA
Midwest Food Bank Partners with Corteva Agriscience to Fight Hunger
What does it take to grow more than vegetables? In the case of the Harvest for Hunger Garden, it takes land, labor, and a long-term partnership rooted in shared purpose.
Each year, Corteva Agriscience invites community members and local organizations—including Midwest Food Bank—to join in a hands-on effort to fight hunger from the ground up. Their all-volunteer garden spans nearly two acres in central Indiana and continues to offer more than fresh produce. It provides something deeper: a connection between people who grow food and those who need it.
This spring, volunteers gathered once again for the garden’s annual planting event—digging, tilling, planting, and preparing rows of summer crops destined for local food pantries. What started as a single-season outreach project has become a sustained source of food and hope. Since 2014, the garden has donated over 100,000 pounds of fresh produce to those facing food insecurity.
The partnership between Corteva Agriscience and Midwest Food Bank is more than a shared logo on a banner. It’s a collaboration built on trust, consistency, and a mutual belief that hunger is solvable when resources are shared generously. Corteva is a longtime sponsor and steadfast supporter, providing not only physical space but also organizational support and a steady stream of volunteer engagement.
“You can feel it when you’re out there,” said one Midwest Food Bank volunteer. “Everyone’s working hard but smiling. You know the food is going to make a real difference.”
Midwest Food Bank plays a vital role in ensuring that produce reaches families efficiently through a network of food pantries and service organizations that prioritize access to healthy food.
By combining Corteva’s agricultural expertise with Midwest Food Bank’s distribution model, the partnership helps close a significant gap that many families face: access to fresh, nutrient-rich produce rather than just shelf-stable goods.
As the garden moves into another growing season, so does the partnership.
“We’re proud to work alongside Corteva in this unique effort,” said a staff member at Midwest Food Bank–Indiana. “They don’t just grow crops—they grow impact.”
In a world where food insecurity remains a daily reality for too many, the Harvest for Hunger Garden reminds us of what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose and a willingness to get their hands dirty.
EAST AFRICA
Shining a Light: The Precious Blessing Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Carol Kinuthia knows the journey of raising a child with cerebral palsy firsthand. When her daughter was diagnosed, Carol chose to dedicate herself fully as a stay-at-home mom. But her story didn’t end there. Inspired by her experience, Carol founded the Precious Blessing Cerebral Palsy Foundation to offer encouragement, practical help, and hope to other families walking a similar path.
Last week, that spirit of hope was on full display as the Foundation gathered more than 100 families to receive essential food supplies—Tender Mercy and uji mix—generously donated by Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa). For many children with special needs, nutrition is a struggle. But these high-quality, nutrient-rich foods have made a real difference.
“The uji is so nutritious—and so delicious—that once our children try it, they won’t accept any other brand,” says Carol. “Since partnering with Kapu Africa, we’ve seen our children gain weight and grow healthier. We no longer worry about undernutrition; our children are finally thriving.”
In some communities, children with disabilities are unfairly viewed as cursed. Carol and the families she supports believe something different. They see their children as blessings—worthy of dignity, care, and opportunity.
Thanks to support from Kapu Africa and others, the Foundation helps families in need access essential resources, training, and encouragement. Midwest Food Bank is blessed to partner with organizations like Precious Blessing Cerebral Palsy Foundation, where compassion turns into action, and every child is a gift.
EAST AFRICA
A Celebration at Morning Star Children’s Home
At Morning Star Children’s Home, every child is given more than just a safe place to sleep—they’re offered hope, belonging, and a path back to family. Recently, Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa) sponsored a special children’s celebration—a day devoted entirely to joy and play.
About Morning Star Children’s Home
For many children, the journey to Morning Star began with uncertainty. Some were separated from family by circumstances beyond their control. Others faced unimaginable hardship. Yet, through the care and compassion of Morning Star’s team, these children find stability and education. Whenever possible, the dedicated team works to reunite children with their biological families or find loving relatives who can provide a stable home.
A Moment to Celebrate
On this special day, sponsored by Kapu Africa, every child at Morning Star got to just be a kid. Games, songs, food, and gifts turned ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.
“It is a privilege to stand alongside organizations like Morning Star Children’s Home,” shares Christine Mutsoli, Executive Director of Kapu Africa. “They do such an admirable job in reuniting children with their families and working on reconciliation.”
The Power of Partnership
For over a decade, Morning Star Children’s Home has positively impacted the lives of countless young people, focusing not only on meeting basic needs but also on restoration—reuniting children with their relatives whenever possible and providing ongoing support to families.
At Kapu Africa, we are honored to play a small role in this important work. We aim to help Morning Star’s children thrive so that every child can look forward to tomorrow with hope.
EAST AFRICA
Bringing Relief to Kenya’s Arid Regions
When the rains do not come, and harvests fail, hunger quickly becomes more than a word—it’s an emergency. In Kenya’s arid regions like Marsabit, Turkana, and Garissa, the struggle against food insecurity is daily and deeply felt. This is where compassion, partnership, and faith step in to bridge the gap.
A Mission Beyond Food: Serving with Spread Truth Africa
Recently, Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa) was honored to work alongside our agency partner, Spread Truth Africa, who were on the ground in Marsabit County—one of the hardest-hit areas. Thanks to your support, the food donated by Kapu Africa was distributed to families facing acute hunger. But the story doesn’t end with full plates.
Alongside emergency food relief, Spread Truth Africa shared the Gospel—bringing not just physical nourishment but spiritual hope to remote, unreached communities. For many, this is the first time they’ve heard a message of hope and love delivered alongside a tangible act of care.
Why Disaster Relief Matters
Disaster relief is truly a lifeline in these arid regions. Without immediate help, the consequences of food insecurity ripple through generations. That’s why our partnership between Kapu Africa and agencies like Spread Truth Africa is so vital. Together, we can deliver food, restore dignity, and share God’s love in both word and deed.
