At work and at church LaDonna Orr was encouraged to serve and volunteer. She first volunteered with a group from work several years ago, and then a recent message at church about service re-enforced that idea."LaDonna is an amazing ambassador for Midwest Food Bank Peoria," says Dominica Rogers, Community Relations and Volunteer Manager.LaDonna reti...
One of the privileges of Midwest Food Bank is adding new non profit partners and learning about the work they do. MFB recently added Broken Butterflies to the list of agencies that get food, without charge, at the Florida warehouse.Broken Butterflies creates a long-term recovery plan for people with addictions. They reintroduce former prisoner...
We get excited about equipment at Midwest Food Bank. That's because it helps us safely and efficiently fulfill our mission.At MFB Florida, the excitement is real because three pieces of equipment are now part of the fleet - a forklift, a refrigerated utility trailer, and a semi-truck."While the upfront equipment expense is costly, it ensures the re...
As she finishes her college education and looks ahead to working in the nonprofit sector, MFB Florida intern Caitlyn says her experience helped her expand skills she will use in her professional career."I witnessed the incredible impact that a dedicated group of individuals can have on the lives of those in need. It was a privilege to be part of a ...
What started as a requirement ended up being an experience for Florida Gulf Coast University student Elise.She initially volunteered at Midwest Food Bank Florida for the Winter Harvest fundraising event as a service hour requirement for her degree. She has completed that requirement but also experienced the accomplishment of assisting others and co...
A bag of groceries feeds the body, mind, and spirit. That's what happens when clients drive through Gettysburg Baptist Church each month for their food distribution.The church ministers to a largely rural area in Adams County, Pennsylvania, providing a well-balanced variety of food groups and volunteers offering prayer and invitations. Recently a g...
Problem-solving has been the theme at Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania for the last year or so. With current food partners requesting additional food and new partners being added, it was time to look at the warehouse and make improvements."Kudos to our staff, volunteers, and advisory board members who have been moving pallets, clearing out rack space...
Volunteer groups at Midwest Food Bank New England know how to grab a hairnet, gloves, and measuring tools to help make a nutritious meal. We are grateful for the groups who recently hand-packed Tender Mercies. Tender Mercies was developed by dietitians for MFB and is a highly nutritious, low-cost blend of rice, beans, and fortified s...
Staff and leadership at East Hartford Public Schools do what it takes to ensure students are ready for the classroom. That means identifying students that may be food insecure because a hungry child isn't an attentive learner."We want to support the whole child and address the needs to keep the students in the classroom," says Alexis Safo-Agye...
A strong work ethic is part of Rick Callahan's DNA. At 12 years old, he had a paper route and has been working ever since. He retired after 37 years at Traveler's Insurance and then picked up a couple of part-time jobs. During those work years, Rick always wanted to volunteer, but he was often on-call and couldn't volunteer as often as he wanted to...
When Henry isn't in school, you can most likely find him volunteering at Midwest Food Bank in Morton."It's fun, and I get to help people," he says.At 12 years old, Henry likes baseball and swimming. He also likes to volunteer. At MFB, he is "certified" in operating the hand-held pallet jack. The day he received that certification four years ago is ...
A Midwest Food Bank Morton volunteer sees the big picture when it comes to getting food to people that need it. Dave not only volunteers at MFB but also at Hidden Manna Food Pantry in Peoria. Hidden Manna is one of the nonprofits that receive food, without charge, from MFB.Hidden Manna is always in need of boxes to distribute food to their clients....
Perceptions and reality don't always match up. You might be surprised to learn that 53% of food-insecure people work full-time.So, the suggestion "Why don't they just get a job?" falls flat for more than half the people choosing between putting gas in their car, paying a utility bill, or going to the grocery store.The USDA defines food insecurity a...
Lives Changed by Christ, a church with 19 locations in Pennsylvania, take their name to heart. It's a testament to the service they provide. The church partners with Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania and assists in many ways. Food distribution days at MFB require many volunteers, and some men from LCBC volunteer for every distribution."We're able to s...
Side by side is how Sun Valley Community Church and Midwest Food Bank Arizona work. The partnership started when Sun Valley was much smaller, and church leaders had initial conversations with MFB about volunteer opportunities. Those conversations have turned into a partnership that is constantly growing and evolving. "The church appreciat...
Winter Harvest, MFB Florida's annual dinner and fundraising auction, was held on February 25 in downtown Fort Myers' premier location, Caloosa Sound and Convention Center. As in years past, Gunterberg Charitable Foundation was the sponsor. The night began with the honoring of Vietnam veteran Dennis Fahey by Brotherhood of Heroes' Dr. Carol Rae Cull...
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller One of Midwest Food Bank's Values is "Executing through Teamwork." MFB works as a team across all of our locations and within each division. We place a high priority on collaboration, many people working together to achieve a common goal. Here at MFB Morton, we get to obse...
There are a few changes in the MFB Florida advisory board with the retirement of president Stanley Sinn. WE're also blessed to welcome a well-qualified replacement. Stan Sinn served as the first MFB Florida advisory board president for seven years. He retired from this role at the end of 2022. "When you meet Stan, you can feel his ...
When groups of people sign up together at Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal, it makes a huge difference. There is power in numbers.On distribution days, MFB food partners come to our warehouse to receive food without charge. It takes 60-70 people each distribution day to make it all happen. When groups of people volunteer together, it helps MFB ...
During the pandemic, people from Ono United Methodist Church noticed some needs in their community and responded by starting a food pantry. Those needs haven't stopped. They have increased. Sometimes, up to a dozen cars are lined up waiting for food. Some of the food they distribute comes from Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania."We have increased our s...
