A hot meal, seven days a week, no questions asked.Enfield Loaves and Fishes provides that to those who walk in their door. Those doors are open again after the board of volunteers navigated the challenges of feeding the food-insecure during the pandemic. Late in 2019, Loaves and Fishes moved to a new location, but once the pandemic hit, they c...
The options at a vending machine in Gilbert during the holiday season didn't include snacks or soft drinks. Instead, selections included hygiene kits, meals, or disaster relief boxes. It's a unique concept of "give instead of get" at these mobile vending machines. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates these red mobile machines as...
On September 5, 2015, Keven King was released from prison. It was time to start a new life. He connected with a ministry called Jesus Inside Prison Ministry (JIPM), and the mentoring, food, and encouragement he received created a new path."The support meant so much to me. It was the first time I had received support in my entire life. I could atten...
At first, Glenn Koehler thought he would spend his retirement years teaching. It seemed like a natural transition after spending 38 years as a pediatric dentist, serving on a school board, coaching little league, and being a board member of a children's museum."I just kept returning to fulfilling a human need, like feeding people," says Glenn.Then ...
Experience and faith make Corey Barrette an excellent fit for Midwest Food Bank New England. He joined the staff in February as the Volunteer and Community Relations Manager."God provides the right people at the right time," says Jan Young, MFB New England Executive Director. "We greatly appreciate Corey's volunteer management experience and his he...
Kenny and Suzie Pilon say they wanted to stay active in their retirement. Like many retirees, they planned to spend time with their family and travel. Fortunately for Midwest Food Bank, the couple also includes volunteering as part of their active lifestyle. "They are both serving in roles where we always need more volunteers," says Carrie Do...
Shirley Christensen worked as an Office Manager at a "close-knit, family-feel" organization. When a larger company bought out the business in 2011, dynamics changed, and she knew it was time to retire. It was a good decision as Shirley began "Gigi School," helping her granddaughter two days a week. It was a wonderful bonding time for them. Shirley ...
Volunteer opportunities abound!Are looking for a way to use your gifts? We are seeking a number of volunteers for roles needing some specific skills. Design and Communication AssistantAttributes: Creative, sensibility for color and design.Time Commitment: At least twice per month, no maximum. A Design and Communication Assistant works within the MF...
Midwest Food Bank Normal, IL, is pleased to introduce you to three new members of the advisory board. They serve in a volunteer capacity, and we're thankful for their support of our mission. Denise Brim - Denise is married to Trace Brim, and they have four teenage daughters. She works from home as an online reseller. Each year, Denise is actively i...
When Hurricane Ian hit Florida in September of last year, it left a path of destruction. When the hurricane passed, Gladiolus Food Pantry in Fort Myers was left with a water-damaged building and a loss of almost all of its inventory. They continued to stay committed to helping their community of Harlem Heights following Hurricane Ian even though th...
How Melanie Tennell became the new Marketing Director at MFB is a "God story." She felt a little unsettled in her previous position at Pekin Insurance when her former boss Jackie reached out to her. Jackie connected Melanie with her acquaintance, Jada Hoerr, MFB Chief Resource Officer. "God's timing prevails," says Melanie. "Every. Single. Tim...
"I have never in my life wondered where my next meal will come from," says Daniel. "MFB is making that a reality for others who aren't as fortunate." While Daniel has done some shorter local runs, most of his driving is longer hauls teamed with other drivers. He has completed several Disaster Relief runs to Florida and has made the Thanksgiving tri...
On Saturday, December 10, 2022, MFB Indiana participated in "The Christmas Experience" at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Parents of over 260 families were invited to attend and shop from a free store of toys to give their children for Christmas. It didn't end with toys. There was gift wrapping and a pair of shoes available for each child. Groceries...
We have exciting news! Your vote counted! Midwest Food Bank Georgia has been named a 2023 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award grant recipient! We have received $200,000 to continue our work in bridging the gap between poverty and prosperity in our communities. "Our grant team and staff are appreciative of all your support in voting for Midwest ...
The prayer board in the MFB Georgia warehouse is in memory of Herman Spinney. Herman passed away over three years ago. He was a volunteer at our warehouse who had a significant impact on the people around him. Herman's volunteer spirit lives on in his daughter, Cynthia Krantz. When Herman began volunteering at MFB Georgia, Cynthia saw renewed ...
"I am absolutely convinced that nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus has embraced us." This is one of Brent Carl's favorite quotes from the Apostle Paul (Romans 8:38-39). It continues to grace the wall of our Volunteer Manager office, offering an ongoing reminder of Brent's even calmness, kindly influence, and dee...
Children bring the gift of excitement, joy, and smiles at Christmas. Kapu Africa experienced that when they celebrated Christmas with the children of Bondeni Rescue Center in Athiriver. Kapu Africa (MFB East Africa) provides food to Bondeni, a seven-year-old school housing about 90 boys and girls aged two to 17. It also provides support to abo...
MFB Morton volunteers showed up big time in 2022. Have a look at the numbers: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization," says Lisa Martin, Executive Director of MFB Morton. "We could not do this amount of work and reach so many people without the many hours they spend in the Morton warehouse." The volunteer impact reaches far and wide...
Friends and volunteers Janice Grant and Phil Crosby help Midwest Food Bank, New England, one box at a time. Actually, it's about 1,000 boxes a month. Their volunteer time is one of the many ways volunteers make it all happen at Midwest Food Bank. Janice and Phil are active in two area food pantries. They discovered MFB about a year ago when they dr...
A bag of groceries can be the start of something that transforms a life. That's how staff and volunteers at The Salvation Army in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, see food assistance. "We want to introduce other programs like nutrition education, employment assistance, workforce development, and education opportunities," says Jenny Gallager Blom, pro...
