Skip to content Skip to footer
8 minutes reading time (1503 words)

Community Partnerships Making an Impact

ARIZONA
How Windshield Replacements Helped Provide 215,000 Meals

We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership with T&S Auto Glass and their commitment to fighting hunger in Arizona. This past holiday season, their fundraiser pledged $10 per windshield replacement to Midwest Food Bank—turning auto glass into hope for thousands!

Thanks to their generosity, Mark Weinberg and the T&S Auto Glass team donated $5,550, which translates into over 215,000 nutritious meals for Arizonans facing food insecurity.

"It's our favorite time of year!" – Mark Weinberg, Owner of T&S Auto Glass. "I'm so glad we were able to raise the money again—I look forward to doing it next November and December."

From all of us at Midwest Food Bank, thank you for making such a powerful impact. We can't wait to see what we accomplish together in 2025! 






FLORIDA
Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club's Monthly Food Drives for Midwest Food Bank

Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club connected with MFB FL a few years ago when they would collect food at their golf outing. It was so successful and the residents loved the mission so much that they wanted to turn it into a monthly project.

"The residents at Heritage Palms love to give back to the community and we know what a great organization MFB is so it was a great fit," says Sherry Nowak of the senior management team at Heritage Palms

"Its heartwarming with entire communities get behind our cause," says Tonya Phillips, Midwest Food Bank Operations Manager. "ZHeritage Palms Golf and Country Club has both regular donors and core volunteers at the Food Bank. We are so appreciative of them and their kind heartedness."






FLORIDA
Cape Coral Bootstrap Ministry and Midwest Food Bank Spread Holiday Cheer

With support from Midwest Food Bank FL, Cape Coral Bootstrap Homeless Ministry hosted a Christmas celebration that served 115 homeless individuals, seniors, veterans, and food-insecure families. Attendees enjoyed a homemade lasagna dinner and received gifts, creating a memorable holiday experience for those in need.

"Thank you, Midwest Food Bank Florida, for 'sharing the blessings,'" said volunteer Kathy Anderson. "We couldn't do what we do without YOU!"

This event highlights the importance of partnerships in addressing hunger and supporting vulnerable communities, especially during the holidays.






GEORGIA
A Look Back at Midwest Food Bank Georgia's 2024

Volunteer Engagement

  • 370 volunteer groups completed processing projects
  • 39,000 volunteer hours invested, valued at $1,193,000


Disaster Relief Efforts

  • 2,080 Disaster Relief Family Food Boxes assembled and delivered to hurricane victims
  • 8.5 semi-truck loads of water provided for hurricane-affected communities


Food Distribution & School Support

  • 10,095 Family Food Boxes delivered to families in poverty in Harlan County, Kentucky (in partnership with Amazon)
  • 8,592 pounds of snacks distributed to local schools through the school snack program


Expanding Our Reach

  • 2 new volunteer drivers joined our team, increasing food access
  • 250 agency partners served monthly through our Peachtree City location
  • 37 agencies served monthly through our Alabama and Tennessee remote distribution sites


Gratitude to Our Grant Funders

Our achievements in 2024 were made possible through generous funding from:

  • Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop
  • Coweta Community Foundation
  • Coweta Fayette EMC
  • EFSP – Coweta and Troup Counties
  • Georgia Power
  • Heritage Community Foundation
  • Newnan Utilities Foundation
  • Peachtree City Rotary
  • Publix Super Markets Charities
  • State Farm Charitable Funding


Looking Ahead

As we reflect on 2024, we are inspired by the collective impact of our community. We remain committed to serving those in need and invite you to join us in our mission.






INDIANA
A Partnership for Change: Midwest Food Bank & The Julian Center

For survivors of domestic and sexual violence, rebuilding life after trauma means finding stability in every aspect—including food security. Through our partnership with The Julian Center, Midwest Food Bank ensures survivors have access to nutritious, diverse meals that meet their needs, dietary restrictions, and cultural preferences.

Founded in 1975, The Julian Center is Indiana's largest domestic violence shelter, serving 1,795 survivors last year. It has expanded beyond emergency shelter services, offering education, housing assistance, employment support, and legal advocacy to help survivors rebuild their lives.

With rising food costs, organizations like The Julian Center face increasing challenges in providing adequate meals. Midwest Food Bank's support enables them to offer sack lunches for survivors attending classes, working, or simply in need of extra nourishment—ensuring no one goes without.

"Midwest Food Bank's support allows us to provide meals that meet our survivors' needs, including dietary restrictions," says Lillian Brown, Director of Facilities Management at The Julian Center. "With food costs rising, these donations make a significant difference, ensuring we can always offer something nourishing and familiar."

As of November 30, 2024, Midwest Food Bank has provided:

• 30,198 nutritious meals.
• 1,838 Survivors served.

Each meal represents more than sustenance—it is a step toward healing, stability, and self-sufficiency.

For nearly 50 years, The Julian Center has been a refuge for survivors, offering comprehensive support to help them rebuild their lives. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to meeting immediate needs while fostering long-term independence.

"Food is nourishment, comfort, dignity, and a reminder that someone cares," says Diara Nicholson, Executive Director of Midwest Food Bank Indiana. "At Midwest Food Bank, we are honored to stand alongside The Julian Center, ensuring survivors have the meals they need as they take steps toward a brighter future."






PENNSYLVANIA
Growmark Gives Back in a Big Way

At Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania, every meal we distribute is made possible by the generosity of donors, volunteers, and corporate partners who share our mission. Recently, GROWMARK FS exemplified this generosity with a creative and meaningful contribution.

In January, over 190 employees and partners from GROWMARK FS's 35 retail outlets gathered at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center for their regional team meeting. Centered around the conference theme, "Focus on the GOOD…and Make it BETTER," the event blended business sessions with team-building and community service, demonstrating the FS Way core values of trust, service excellence, and community engagement.

"Our FS Way culture emphasizes service excellence, and we wanted employees to have a meaningful way to give back to the community," said Debbie Kirk, recruiter for GROWMARK FS. Employees didn't just participate—they embraced the opportunity. Each food donation earned a raffle ticket, adding "a touch of fun to their philanthropy," as Debbie described.

And what an impact they made! Together, GROWMARK FS and its employees donated over 4,500 lbs. of canned goods and pantry staples to Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania. Before the donation, these items served as the foundation for fun and creative team-building activities, showcasing how service and teamwork go hand in hand.

During the event, employees:

  • Assembled 300 meal kits, including themes like meat and potatoes, pasta night, and chili mac.
  • Built sculptures out of canned goods, featuring designs like an American flag, a farm, an ear of corn, and even a crab.
  • Played a spirited game of peanut butter and jelly checkers, proving that giving back can be engaging and enjoyable.

GROWMARK FS's parent company, GROWMARK, Inc., is headquartered in Bloomington, IL—the same city as Midwest Food Bank's corporate office and main distribution center. Over the years, GROWMARK has been a steadfast supporter, donating over $1 million to Midwest Food Bank and consistently volunteering and organizing donation events. This partnership now includes support for the Pennsylvania warehouse.

"We are grateful beyond words to GROWMARK FS and their employees," said Erika Walters, Volunteer Coordinator at Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania. "More than 1,500 people volunteer at our warehouse each year, but GROWMARK FS provides a great example of how organizations can incorporate creativity and service to make a difference."






EAST AFRICA
Collaborating for Change: Kapu Africa & Maisha Mapya's Impact in Nakuru

In Nakuru, Kenya, Maisha Mapya Learning Center, founded by Living Stone Global, provides education, nutrition, and medical care to over 325 students. These children, living near the Nakuru city dumpsite, face extreme poverty, but through sponsorships, they receive full-time schooling, uniforms, shoes, textbooks, meals, clean water, and healthcare.

Kapu Africa supports this mission by providing Unimix and Nutridence, essential nutritional supplements that enhance children's health and learning ability. On December 1, 2024, Kapu Africa visited Maisha Mapya, witnessing its transformative impact on families in informal settlements.

Beyond the classroom, Living Stone Global actively serves the greater community, offering crisis intervention and empowerment programs. Their work aligns with Kapu Africa's mission to provide sustainable food relief to vulnerable populations.

"Good nutrition is foundational to a child's success," said Christine Mutsoli, Executive Director of Kapu Africa. "By supporting Maisha Mapya, we are investing in the future of these children and their families."

We deeply appreciate our partnership with Maisha Mapya, as together, we continue making a lasting difference in Nakuru—one child, one family, and one meal at a time.

×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

Midwest Food Bank Texas: A Record Year of Giving i...
Midwest Food Bank Volunteers Connect Food with Fam...
BBM web link