On September 5th, 2024, the City of Temple, Texas, honored Midwest Food Bank Texas with the Keys to the City in recognition of their swift and effective disaster relief following the EF-2 tornado that struck in May. This award reflects the critical role that Midwest Food Bank played in helping the community recover and highlights how teamwork and strong local relationships enabled an efficient, targeted response.
When the tornado hit Temple, Midwest Food Bank Texas responded immediately. Gareth Keown, Executive Director, coordinated the effort with his team, recalling, “A day after the tornado ripped through Temple, I texted our operations manager, Chris D. Lee, with a simple request: ‘I need a truck loaded with fluids ready to go at 05:00 tomorrow.’ By 04:45 the next morning, the truck was ready, and I was on my way to Temple.”
This rapid mobilization was possible due to the organization’s Disaster Relief preparedness. Midwest Food Bank’s routine food distribution to over 124,000 individuals across Texas didn’t skip a beat despite the extra demands of the disaster relief effort. Volunteers and staff, like warehouse manager Steve Whitford, play a key role in ensuring that daily operations run smoothly.
The effectiveness of Midwest Food Bank’s tornado response was largely due to its long-standing investment in the Waco/Temple area. Over the years, the organization has invested more than $3 million to combat food insecurity in the region. These relationships with local food pantries and community leaders allowed them to direct resources to those who needed them most, quickly and efficiently.
While Midwest Food Bank’s disaster relief efforts were critical in the wake of the tornado, their ongoing fight against food insecurity remains just as vital. Midwest Food Bank Texas continues to serve as a lifeline for many families.
We are deeply honored and grateful to receive the Keys to the City from Temple. This recognition reflects the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and partners in serving the community during times of crisis and beyond.
