MFB 2021: A Mid-Year Review

Reflecting on the first half of 2021, Midwest Food Bank is thankful for the Lord's blessings as we continue to grow and serve from our 12 locations across the US, Kenya, and Haiti. Our generous donors and dedicated volunteer family encourage and support us in the fight against food insecurity. Some of the progress made this year includes the following:

• Volunteers. Midwest Food Bank has welcomed back many of the volunteers who were sidelined due to Covid. Church, school, and business groups have been returning to serve in a meaningful way. MFB locations are now using the Golden online automated volunteer sign-in system, which benefits both volunteers and MFB. Volunteers can now track their own hours and see the impact they are making. Volunteer coordinators have tools to help in recruiting and spend less time tracking and documenting hours.

• Safety. Evaluating and strengthening MFB's safety practices has been a focus of 2021. Some enhancements to our safety culture include a safety champion at each location, CPR/AED training for volunteers and staff, and forklift training and annual certification.

• Charity Navigator. MFB has received Charity Navigator's "4-Star Charity" designation for the ninth consecutive year.

• By the numbers. 

   $350 million - the amount of food MFB is on track to distribute in 2021. 

   Over 30% of the food distributed has been in the form of dairy, produce, and protein (including Tender Mercies). 

   62,000 Disaster Relief family food boxes have been delivered and distributed in 2021. 

   9,000 children are supported by MFB's Hope Packs program.

• Agency visits. We have resumed conducting visits to our nonprofit partner agencies in 2021. Seeing their facilities and operations gives MFB an understanding of how best to serve them.

"We continue to see the results of our focus on sustainable growth," says Eric Hodel, COO/CFO of Midwest Food Bank. "We're thankful to be able to serve the food-insecure people of our communities with dignity and compassion."

Midwest Food Bank humbly thanks our donors and volunteers who make this all possible. Explore midwestfoodbank.org to learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities, or make a donation.