MFB Bloomington-Normal adds West Virginia remote distribution

Midwest Food Bank has begun a monthly remote distribution in Belle, WV, 12 miles south east of Charleston. Once a month, a truckload of food will travel to Belle for a single day distribution. There are currently 12 partner agencies who will receive the food to distribute to those in need. The first truckload of food will leave MFB Bloomington-Normal at 4 a.m. tomorrow. The first distribution was Wednesday, October 16.

MFB Bloomington-Normal supports other remote distributions in Fairfield, IL, Stanton, KY and Dickson, TN. Midwest Food Bank divisions support 14 remote distributions. The satellite distribution model involves volunteers running distributions usually at loaned spaces.

"1 in 5 children in West Virginia struggle with food insecurity," says Tara Ingham, Executive Director of MFB Bloomington-Normal. "We are honored to begin serving those in need in this area." 

Pastor Bart Hodel (in the blue polo shirt in photo below) is organizing the effort, assisted by Angi Kerns (tan polo). Angi's mom took the photo of her standing in front of the Union Mission truck. Five or six years ago, Angi was an end user, and received food from that very truck. "It blesses me beyond words that I have the opportunity to be a part of something so amazing," says Angi.