Volunteers at Midwest Food Bank Indiana come through the doors filled with compassion and a shared purpose to uplift their community. Our volunteers not only serve people in need, but they become a family to each other, sharing life events. Those events can be celebrations of joy or times of grief.
Sue Haymaker's story began over five years ago. "I had never heard of Midwest Food Bank before I started volunteering here," she recalls. "I believe God sent me here because He knew our family was about to go through a very difficult time."
Sue's son had battled addiction, and though he triumphed over his inner demons, his body bore the heavy toll. Tragically, he passed away at the age of 46 due to a heart attack.
"The struggles we face are unbearable," says Sue, "but the love, support, and prayers we received from our Midwest Food Bank family helped to get us through.
Midwest Food Bank volunteers ministered to Sue and her family by providing meals, attending the visitation and funeral, and donating to MFB in his name. A volunteer even performed the funeral service for the family.
MFB volunteers become a community of friends, serving not only people in need but each other. Sue is part of the community of volunteers that assist MFB every day in various roles - in the office and the warehouse.
"Our volunteers utilize their time and God's glory and make connections with each other centered around MFB's mission to show love," says Marcie Luhigo, executive director of MFB Indiana. "We are here to celebrate victories and grieve losses together."
MFB volunteers walked alongside Sue and her family as they listened and prayed for her son's addiction journey.
"We are blessed to be a part of this organization," says Sue. I thank God every day that He sent me here."