A hill of beans

​At Midwest Food Bank we are often reminded of God's ability to provide exactly what is needed at just the right time. That happened again recently when MFB received four semi-loads of beans – black, pinto, kidney – from a farmer in Illinois and another farmer in Iowa. How did these farmers know to contact MFB with this donation? One farmer is an acquaintance of an MFB volunteer truck driver. MFB is uncertain how the other farmer learned about our ministry.

"It's a good staple that people eat," Mike Hoffman, procurement and logistics director for MFB, said. "These gifts will go far to feed many in need."

The dry beans are being packaged in one-pound bags by machine at the Morton location. Additional volunteers are putting them in boxes so these bags can be distributed to food pantries at MFB locations in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas.

Just days after receiving the beans a donation of seasoning packets arrived in the Bloomington/Normal location and labeled "use with beans". "We've never seen it before," Hoffman said about these particular seasoning packets.

God provided the beans and then provided the seasoning. By His hand we can serve those struggling with food insecurity. He also provided this story so we can share the Gospel, too.