Before Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana, it had already proved to be deadly in Haiti. Laura tore through Haiti on August 23, killing at least 21 people, and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people. Many local farmers' crops were destroyed, crippling an already fragile food supply. A Jacmel plantain plantation planning a...
When visitors come to Midwest Food Bank for the first time they are often surprised by the size of our warehouses and the amount of food on our shelves. They aren't expecting forklifts, pallets, and semi-trucks. That's when the conversation turns to the difference between a food bank and a food pantry. Food banks – Midwest Food Bank, like other foo...
Here is a moving letter of gratitude Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa) received from Andrew and Ruth Ouma of Hope Community School: Kibera, the largest informal settlement in Africa is home to over 1.5 million people who are now staring at death due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the slum dwellers live from hand to mouth – th...
Midwest Food Bank has been shipping Disaster Relief all over the US since March (stories here and here). Family food boxes have have been helping people affected by business closures and layoffs. Volunteers have been assembling, filling, and driving food boxes every week. The Tender Mercies packing machine has been running non-stop, setting new pro...
In these troubling times, driven largely by COVID-19, Midwest Food Bank Haiti is humbled by and grateful for our Haitian partners. They deliver MFB's Tender Mercies meals to the vulnerable and malnourished at the margins of Haiti society. Through July of this year our partners have delivered nearly 1.1 million Tender Mercies meals throughout H...
Midwest Food Bank Texas has been providing relief to families suffering from food insecurity. The number of those families has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With our participation in the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box program (story here), we have increased our distributions. MFB Texas is now working Monday through Friday ...
The COVID crisis has created an increase in amount of food needed by our partner agencies. MFB Indiana has been able to provide this additional food with the help of generous donors and dedicated volunteers. This additional distribution has taxed our already tight operation. After learning of our need for space, long-time Midwest Food Bank supporte...
With a bit of creativity, the third annual Kind Harvest fundraising event will be remembered for years to come. Due to COVID-19, our shared table event was virtual this year. "The need has grown, so must the Harvest," was the theme for he night. Fanchon Stinger of Fox59 gave everyone a warm welcome. Participants enjoyed a hand-crafted ch...
Pack the Pantries 2020 provided MFB Indiana a backdrop to tell the work being done in our community. It also gives people an opportunity to participate in a combined effort to alleviate hunger. Started by Mayor Greg Ballard 10 years ago, Pack the Pantries is a great example of a community uniting for a common goal. Held on July 1, the event r...
We are so encouraged when we see young people involved in charitable work. It gives hope for the future. Recently, a group of girls aged 7-11 brainstormed a way to help people affected by COVID-19. With their parents permission, the girls made jewelry and sell it in their Morton, Illinois, neighborhood. Their parents helped them investigate and loc...
It's hard to adequately thank the generosity of a couple recent donations to Midwest Food Bank Peoria. So, simply put, MFB thanks Bob Gilmore and the Gilmore Foundation and CEFCU. Bob Gilmore and the Gilmore Foundation donated $1 million to five local non-profit organizations to celebrate Bob's 100th birthday. MFB Peoria received $3...
Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania introduced itself to the community and volunteers with their first food distribution beginning Saturday, June 20, 2020. During the two-day event the verse from I Peter 4:10 came to life - "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." Sum...
Please help us welcome Lori Renne, the Executive Director for Midwest Food Bank, Pennsylvania. Lori was born and raised in central Pennsylvania and is the youngest of eight children. "We lived in a small house yet my parents instilled in us that there was always enough food and a seat at our table for anyone who needed it," says Lori. Before c...
A HUGE "Thank you!" to all those who have contributed to our Impacting our Community Campaign. Phase I of this project is 90% funded. After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, we have decided to break ground and begin construction of Phase I, the large capacity Freezer and Refrigerator. With the challenges of the COVID-19 pande...
Typically, in July and August, Midwest Food Bank is preparing for the Disaster Relief we will provide during hurricane season. 2020 has been anything but typical. Much of our effort since March has been focused on Disaster Relief. The COVID-19 crisis has placed many people in a position of food insecurity. Thanks to your support, we have been ...
The Disabled Empowerment Society of Kenya (DIESK) has been reaching out to families of disabled people in Nairobi. Food insecurity is severe for those too disabled to work. The COVID pandemic has exacerbated the situation. DIESK carefully maps out households most at risk. Tender Mercies meals donated by Kapu Africa are given to these families. In a...
Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa) was encouraged recently when a "thank you" letter arrived from an organization that rescues and rehabilitates children, youth and families living on the streets in Nairobi, Kenya. "As we distribute the food we have been evangelizing to the street families whenever we get the opportunity, and a numbe...
It was a beautiful day for shooting guns and raising funds. The 11th annual Clay Shoot for Hunger was held on June 13, 2020. All proceeds benefitted Peoria and Morton Midwest Food Banks. 176 shooters took part in the event, which was held at the Oak Ridge Sportsman Club in Mackinaw, IL. Following the clay shoot, participants received a to...
It's that time of year again. Articles with titles like "Top ten gifts for Dad" show up. They appear for a reason. It can be difficult finding a meaningful gift for a parent. Forgive us for adding one more suggestion to the mix. Some truly unique and purposeful time spent with Dad would be a gift to both the giver and recipient. What dad wouldn't a...
While giving food to the hungry is the main thing Kapu Africa (Midwest Food Bank East Africa) does, there is a higher purpose behind it. The first part of our mission statement is "to share the love of Christ." Feeding hungry people is a step in drawing them to Christ. The Kenyan people have been under a strict lockdown due to COVID-19. This h...
